Kansas City Chiefs Draft Picks: Results, Analysis and Grades

The 2015 NFL draft ran from Thursday night to Saturday evening, and like every other team, the Kansas City Chiefs used the opportunity to add young talent to their existing roster.

Fortunately, the Chiefs headed into the 2015 NFL draft in a much better position than many other teams. 

Though the Chiefs missed the playoffs in 2014 with a 9-7 record, the team is coming off back-to-back winning seasons. Kansas City also defeated both of lat year's Super Bowl participants during the regular season.

This suggests that Kansas City is only a piece or two away from legitimate contention. General manager John Dorsey and head coach Andy Reid probably feel confident that this roster is already good enough to make a deep run in the postseason.

The Chiefs have a stellar defense (ranked second overall, allowing 17.6 points per game last season) and helped bolster the other side of the football by adding wide receiver Jeremy Maclin in free agency. However, the team lost starting center Rodney Hudson and veteran wideout Dwayne Bowe.

The team entered the draft needing help on both the offensive and defensive lines and could stand to add depth in the secondary. Adding another top-tier wide receiver to complement Maclin certainly wouldn't hurt either. Aside from a few holes, though, this was already a playoff-caliber roster.

Though finding a starting wideout, offensive lineman or cornerback were the priority, the Chiefs could afford to go with the best player available.They began the draft with the 18th overall selection in the first round and 10 draft picks in total.

Kansas City's made former Washington cornerback Marcus Peters their first-round selection. They added Missouri guard Mitch Morse in Round 2. Georgia wideout Chris Conley and Oregon State cornerback Steven Nelson were selected in Round 3.

The Chiefs kicked off Round 4 by selecting former Georgia linebacker Ramik Wilson and added guys like D.J. Alexander and James O'Shaughnessy later in the day.

Over the next few pages we will examine, analyze and grade every single one of Kansas City's 2015 draft selections.

Round 1 (No. 18 Overall): Marcus Peters, CB, Washington

The Chiefs used the 18th overall pick on former Washington cornerback Marcus Peters, which was somewhat of a surprise to many.

Kansas City ranked eighth overall in pass coverage in 2014, according to Pro Football Focus. An addition to the secondary was not the team's biggest need. However, it is hard to argue against adding a top cornerback prospect because of the pass-heavy nature of the league.

The issue with selecting Peters this high in the draft is that he comes with character concerns. He was suspended and then eventually dismissed from the Washington football team for confrontations with the coaching staff.

"I wouldn't take him inside the first two rounds. He's good, but he's not that good that I would be willing to deal with his emotional issues," one unnamed NFC personnel man said of Peters, per NFL.com.

The 6'0", 197-pound Peters has the physical tools to develop into a top-tier cover man. He has the size, ball skills and fluidity to excel at the pro level.

With guys like center/guard prospect Cameron Erving, wide receiver Breshad Perriman and pass-rusher Bud Dupree still on the board, it feels like the Chiefs could have grabbed a player with more instant-impact potential in the first round. 

If Peters can learn to mentally adapt to the pro game, however, the Chiefs will wind up with a defensive cornerstone to build around.

Grade: C+

Round 2 (No. 49 Overall)

Mitch Morse, OG, Missouri

The Chiefs went after the best player available in the first round. They chase a position of need in the second.

Former Missouri offensive lineman Mitch Morse makes sense here, as he projects as a guard or center at the pro level. The Chiefs need to upgrade their run blocking and have a need at center after watching Rodney Hudson leave for the division rival Oakland Raiders in free agency.

The 6'5", 305-pound Morse is a tough, physical player with enough athleticism to get out and make blocks at the second level. He should bring a nice boost to the Kansas City run game, and if he can lock down the starting center job, the Chiefs really win with this pick.

Morse doesn't have a particularly high ceiling, but as an interior lineman, he has enough potential for a lengthy pro career.

There is, of course, a chance that Morse could have lasted until Round 3, but with eight offensive linemen selected ahead of him, the Chiefs were clearly not willing to risk that.

Morse should emerge as a starter on the Kansas City line sooner than later. 

Grade: A-

Round 3 (No. 76 Overall)

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Chris Conley, WR, Georgia

The Chiefs addressed another need by snagging former Georgia wide receiver Chris Conley in Round 3.

Conley wasn't a super-productive receiver in 2014 (657 yards and eight touchdowns), but he tested exceptionally well at the scouting combine and shows up on game film.

The big 6'2", 213-pound pass-catcher ran a blazing 4.35-second 40-yard dash at the combine and added an impressive 45.0" vertical jump and 18 reps on the 225-pound bench press.

This suggests that Conley has the combination of speed, explosiveness and strength needed to thrive at the pro level.

In order to secure Conley, Kansas City traded up in front of the Cleveland Browns. In exchange for the Minnesota Vikings' 76th pick, the Chiefs sent picks No. 80 and No. 193.

By sacrificing a sixth-round pick, the Chiefs ensure they have a receiver who can step in and make an early impact.

"

Vikes just pulled their first trade of the draft. They trade 76th pick to Chiefs in 3rd rd for 80th & 193rd pick....

— Ann Carroll (@VikingsWeekly) May 2, 2015"

Grade: A

Round 3 (No. 98 Overall)

Steven Nelson, CB, Oregon State

The Chiefs grabbed another defensive back with their compensatory pick at the end of Round 3.

Their final selection of Day 2 was former Oregon State cornerback Steven Nelson. Nelson is an aggressive 5'10", 197-pound pass-defender who fits the mold of a Chiefs defender.

Nelson has good coverage skills and is an excellent player in run support. However, he isn't the best man-to-man defender, and he has a tendency to hold opposing receivers if they begin to beat him on a route. closing the gap can be a problem if he is beaten off the line.

He finished the 2014 season with 80 total tackles, eight passes defended and two interceptions.

Because of his physicality and tackling ability, Nelson should get an opportunity to compete for playing time, especially on special teams. However, he is not a finished product and will likely need some time to develop enough on-field awareness to see a significant role.

Grade: C+

Round 4 (No. 118 Overall)

David Goldman/Associated Press

The Chiefs added defensive depth with their first pick of Day 3 by adding Georgia linebacker Ramik Wilson.

Wilson has adequate athleticism for the position, but he is not a particularly big hitter. He has issues in coverage and may not be more than a depth or rotational player at the next level, but he does look like a guy ready to contribute right away.

Wilson was a three-year starter at Georgia, and he was a productive one at that. In 2014 alone, he produced 110 total tackles with seven tackles for a loss and two sacks.

Overall, Wilson looks like a backup and special teams contributor as a rookie, but he may develop into a starter if he can improve in the strength and coverage areas.

Grade: B-

Round 5 (No. 172 and No. 173rd Overall)

Troy Wayrynen/Associated Press

No. 172: D.J. Alexander, LB, Oregon State

This is the point in the draft where team like the Chiefs start looking to pick up depth players and special teams contributors. 

This is exactly how 6'2", 233-pound Oregon State linebacker D.J. Alexander projects as a pro. He is undersized for the outside linebacker position, which is where he played in college. He does possess adequate quickness (ran a 4.56-second 40-yard dash at his pro day) and will likely stick on the roster as a special teamer. 

This still feels awfully early for a guy who will probably be special teams only.

Grade: D

No. 173: James O'Shaughnessy, TE, Illinois State

Former Illinois State tight end James O'Shaughnessy is a guy who has a much better chance of earning a regular role with the Chiefs.

The 6'4", 245-pound pass-catcher needs to add some polish to his game, but he is a legitimate threat from the tight end position. He has enough speed (ran a 4.68-second 40 at his pro day) to be a downfield threat and projects as a No. 2 tight end in the Kansas City offense. 

He finished the 2014 season with 544 yards and nine touchdowns. This could wind up being a steal for the Chiefs.

Grade: A

Round 6 (No. 217 Overall)

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DT, Southern Mississippi

The Chiefs went into the draft with a need for run-defenders and may have landed a future contributor with sixth-round selection Rakeem Nunez-Roches out of Southern Miss.

Nunez-Roches has adequate size for an NFL defensive lineman at 6'2" and 307 pounds. He racked up 58 total tackles in 2014, with 14 tackles for a loss and three sacks.

Though he will almost certainly begin his career as a backup, Nunez-Roches has the skills to eventually develop into a capable nose tackle, even if he will never become a superstar.

Grade: B+

Round 7 (No. 233 Overall)

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

Da'Ron Brown, WR, Northern Illinois

The Chiefs added another piece to their passing game with their final selection of the 2015 draft.

Former Northern Illinois wide receiver Da'Ron Brown is a big (6'0", 205 pounds) and physical target who can make the contested catch and provide blocks in the running game.

However, Brown does not possess top-level speed (ran a 4.54-second 40 at the combine) and is limited athletically. He will likely have to earn a spot on the roster as a special teamer, but he does bring some value as a possession receiver. If he can improve his route running and find ways to get open, he can stick.

Grade: C