Kansas City Chiefs' 7-Round Mock Draft and Top-100 Big Board

The Kansas City Chiefs have a lot to be optimistic about in 2016. The same goes for fans of the team.

Last season, the Chiefs rebounded from a 1-5 start and went all the way to the divisional round of the playoffs before the New England Patriots knocked them off in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The team didn't go down easily, either, staging a late rally before falling 27-20.

Entering Andy Reid's fourth season as head coach, the team seems to be putting it all together, even if it is flying a bit under the radar.

This makes the upcoming NFL draft important. The Chiefs may be only a player or two away from making a real run at a championship. So what do they look for?

Kansas City likely needs to address the secondary, while the offensive line also needs some pieces after Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson left via free agency, and the team let Ben Grubbs go after a failed physical.

Finding a rotational defensive lineman and depth at the running back and wide receiver spots should be on the radar as well. That said, this team is close to the top of the conference and should be one of the favorites to reach the Super Bowl from the AFC.

Let's take a look at how the Chiefs may choose to navigate the NFL draft this year.

Top-100 Big Board

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

Here is a look at the Chiefs' top-100 big board. Here, we list all the players the team should be interested in—should it have the chance to draft them. 

You'll notice not all of the top prospects are on this list. That's because we have to keep it realistic. The Chiefs are making their first selection at No. 28, so they're not going to land guys like Jalen Ramsey or Carson Wentz.                         

                                               Kansas City Chiefs Big Board

Rank	Player	Position	School
1	Ronnie Stanley	OT	Notre Dame
2	Shaq Lawson	DE	Clemson
3	A'Shawn Robinson	DT	Alabama
4	Laquon Treadwell	WR	Mississippi
5	Darron Lee	LB	Ohio State
6	Sheldon Rankins	DT	Louisville
7	Eli Apple	CB	Ohio State
8	Reggie Ragland	LB	Alabama
9	Jack Conklin	OT	Michigan State
10	Jarran Reed	DT	Alabama
11	William Jackson III	CB	Houston
12	Leonard Floyd	LB	Georgia
13	Taylor Decker	OT	Ohio State
14	Paxton Lynch	QB	Memphis
15	Corey Coleman	WR	Baylor
16	Robert Nkemdiche	DE	Mississippi
17	Noah Spence	DE	Eastern Kentucky
18	Josh Doctson	WR	TCU
19	Mackensie Alexander	CB	Clemson
20	Kevin Dodd	DE	Clemson
21	Jonathan Bullard	DE	Florida
22	Vernon Butler	DT	Louisiana Tech
23	Ryan Kelly	C	Ohio State
24	Jason Spriggs	OT	Indiana
25	Cody Whitehair	OG	Kansas State
26	Derrick Henry	RB	Alabama
27	Andrew Billings	DT	Baylor
28	Will Fuller	WR	Notre Dame
29	Kenny Clark	DT	UCLA
30	Germain Ifedi	OT	Texas A&M
31	Chris Jones	DT	Mississippi State
32	Emmanuel Ogbah	DE	Oklahoma State
33	Michael Thomas	WR	Ohio State
34	Kamalei Correa	LB	Boise State
35	Christian Westerman	OG	Arizona State
36	Kendall Fuller	CB	Virginia Tech
37	Su'a Cravens	LB	USC
38	Vonn Bell	SS	Ohio State
39	Artie Burns	CB	Miami
40	Keanu Neal	FS	Florida
41	Hunter Henry	TE	Arkansas
42	Le'Raven Clark	OT	Texas Tech
43	Austin Johnson	DT	Penn State
44	Shilique Calhoun	DE	Michigan State
45	Shon Coleman	OT	Auburn
46	Sterling Shepard	WR	Oklahoma
47	Joshua Garnett	OG	Stanford
48	Kenneth Dixon	RB	Louisiana Tech
49	Karl Joseph	SS	West Virginia
50	Joshua Perry	LB	Ohio State
51	Kentrell Brothers	LB	Missouri
52	Xavien Howard	CB	Baylor
53	Carl Nassib	DE	Penn State
54	Devontae Booker	RB	Utah
55	Jeremy Cash	SS	Duke
56	Nick Martin	C	Notre Dame
57	Braxton Miller	WR	Ohio State
58	Pharoh Cooper	WR	South Carolina
59	Vadal Alexander	OG	LSU
60	Deion Jones	LB	LSU
61	Connor Cook	QB	Michigan State
62	Austin Hooper	TE	Stanford
63	Kyler Fackrell	LB	Utah State
64	Sheldon Day	DT	Notre Dame
65	Christian Hackenberg	QB	Penn State
66	C.J. Prosise	RB	Notre Dame
67	Rashard Higgins	WR	Colorado State
68	Sean Davis	CB	Maryland
69	Charles Tapper	DE	Oklahoma
70	Jerald Dawkins	OT	LSU
71	Will Redmond	CB	Mississippi State
72	Connor McGovern	OG	Missouri
73	Kenyan Drake	RB	Alabama
74	Isaac Seumalo	OG	Oregon State
75	John Theus	OT	Georgia
76	Jalen Mills	FS	LSU
77	Nick Vannett	TE	Ohio State
78	Javon Hargrave	DT	South Carolina State
79	Bronson Kaufusi	DE	BYU
80	Kenny Lawler	WR	California
81	Cyrus Jones	CB	Alabama
82	Leonte Carroo	WR	Rutgers
83	Jonathan Williams	RB	Arkansas
84	Darian Thompson	FS	Boise State
85	Kolby Listenbee	WR	TCU
86	Kyle Murphy	OT	Stanford
87	Jaylon Smith	LB	Notre Dame
88	Jihad Ward	DE	Illinois
89	Maurice Canady	CB	Virginia
90	Sebastian Tretola	OG	Arkansas
91	Max Tuerk	C	USC
92	Jordan Howard	RB	Indiana
93	Aaron Burbridge	WR	Michigan State
94	Paul Perkins	RB	UCLA
95	Jonathan Jones	CB	Auburn
96	Adolphus Washington	DT	Ohio State
97	Miles Killebrew	SS	Southern Utah
98	Scooby Wright III	LB	Arizona
99	Keyarris Garrett	WR	Tulsa
100	Jordan Payton	WR	UCLA

Round 1

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Round 1, Pick 28: Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

You probably haven't seen this player mocked to the Chiefs when looking around the Internet, have you? Allow us to explain.

We'll preface this by saying that the Chiefs would love to get a cornerback to pair with last season's defensive rookie of the year, Marcus Peters, particularly after Sean Smith signed with the Oakland Raiders as a free agent.

Eli Apple of Ohio State and William Jackson III of Houston will both be first-round targets for the Chiefs, but under this scenario, we're projecting that both of those players will be off the board by the time the Chiefs go on the clock.

The Chiefs will then turn to another option, and they'll see that quarterback Paxton Lynch of Memphis is still on the board. Fans will immediately ask why, as the team has Alex Smith, who is still just 31 years old. But what do they have behind him?

Aaron Murray and Tyler Bray are both untested quarterbacks, and neither has taken a single snap in a regular-season game. On top of that, it's not unlike Reid to do something like this.

He still had a productive Donovan McNabb with the Philadelphia Eagles when he used a second-round pick to select Kevin Kolb in 2007. A few years later, he used a third-round choice to draft Nick Foles despite the fact that Michael Vick had thrown for 3,303 yards and 18 touchdowns the year before.

Reid likes to have a backup plan, and Lynch gives him that. In addition, the Denver Broncos are known to be looking for a franchise quarterback. They go on the clock just three picks after Kansas City, and Reid could take away one of their options. When you put all of that together, it starts to make sense.

Lynch has tremendous physical tools. At 6'7", he possesses ideal size, but don't be fooled, as he is a stellar athlete. Able to make plays with his feet, he shows an unwillingness to ever give up on a play and can make big plays when things start to break down.

He has enough arm strength to make almost every throw and learned how to be a leader after becoming a three-year starter at Memphis.

Sitting behind an established starter would be a perfect situation for Lynch, as it would give him the time to adapt to the pro level and work on his accuracy and reading of defenses. In a couple of seasons, he would be able to slide in and take over for Smith in what could be a seamless transition.

Round 2

Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press

Round 2, Pick 59: Artie Burns, CB, Miami

The Chiefs come back in the second round and get their cornerback. 

Artie Burns would be a great complement to Peters, and the duo could become one of the best combinations in the league.

A speedy defensive back out of the University of Miami, Burns turned in a solid college career. In 2015, he had six interceptions and five passes defended. He also had a 26.2-yard average as a kick returner in his Hurricanes career. He also spent time on the track team.

Burns displays the ability to handle both man-to-man and zone coverage. However, Burns' long arms—33 ¼"—may be his most intriguing aspect. They allow him to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage and make plays on the ball when teams try to beat him deep.

He has solid ball skills, as evidenced by his six interceptions last season, and he can be dangerous with the ball in his hands—much like Peters.

When his mother passed away unexpectedly last October, Burns took on a huge responsibility by becoming the legal guardian of his two younger brothers, per Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald. This was a factor in his decision to leave school early.

As Lance Zierlein of NFL.com pointed out, the film on Burns may be rough, but he has the traits that teams like. He is a bit of a raw prospect, but if he can improve his tackling, he'll have a long and successful NFL career.

Round 4

David Richard/Associated Press

Round 4, Pick 126: Connor McGovern, OG, Missouri

The Chiefs currently have no pick in the third round as a result of violating the league's policy against tampering, so they'll have to wait before they have a chance to select another player. The violation also forced the team to give up a sixth-round choice next year and pay a $250,000 fine.

When they do make their pick, they'll go to a familiar place to recruit help on the offensive line.

Last year, the team used a second-round pick to take Mitch Morse out of Missouri. This year, they'll grab one of his former teammates, Connor McGovern.

Though not quite as tall as Morse at 6'4", he is incredibly strong. That was put on display at the scouting combine, where he set the mark for all other offensive linemen with 33 bench press reps of 225 pounds. He has also broken other lifting records at the university. 

Due to his strength, McGovern is a player who should be able to bolster the Chiefs rushing attack right away. Though he did play some tackle in college, he would be a better fit for the interior—at least to begin his career. He would need to polish his abilities in pass protection in order to move to the outside.

Still, with Jarrod Pughsley, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Paul Fanaika and Michael Liedtke as the only other guards currently on the roster, McGovern would be a welcome addition to the team.

Round 5

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

Round 5, Pick 162: Quinton Jefferson, DL, Maryland

The Chiefs have two picks in the fifth round—the first of which was acquired from the Seattle Seahawks in a trade that sent them defensive back Kelcie McCray last September. 

With this pick, the Chiefs will grab a rotational defensive lineman, selecting Maryland's Quinton Jefferson. He will have to impress to make the team after training camp, but by this point in the draft, the options at this position are dwindling, so the Chiefs will see what they can get out of this guy.

Jefferson is a guy who can play defensive end or defensive tackle in a 3-4 scheme, and he is able to get penetration into the backfield. While at Maryland, he had 21.5 tackles for loss to go along with 10.5 sacks, including 6.5 in 2015.

Jefferson does have some pass-rush ability that can be translated to the NFL game. If you watch his film, you notice a good swim move that allows him to get to the quarterback.

Though he's a guy who would see limited snaps as a rookie, he's a player who could become a solid fit after being coached up by Bob Sutton and Britt Reid.

Round 5, Pick 165: Malcolm Mitchell, WR, Georgia

The Chiefs made a big move by bringing in Jeremy Maclin as a free agent last year, and it was one that paid off. Maclin caught 87 passes for 1,088 yards and eight touchdowns in his first year with the Chiefs. In addition, Albert Wilson emerged as a guy who can contribute as well. 

Now the Chiefs need a third receiver to give Smith a full complement of options in the passing game. That third option could be Rod Streater, De'Anthony Thomas or last year's third-round pick out of Georgia, Chris Conley.

Malcolm Mitchell is another receiver out of Georgia who could give the team solid depth at the wide receiver position. He came into Georgia with plenty of hype surrounding him, but knee injuries slowed him down. The team that drafts him will have to hope he becomes a better pro than college player.

He has the ability to do that. Long arms and a good set of hands help Mitchell make tough catches, and his initial quickness allows him to get separation. He has the kind of straight-line speed that could make him a serious deep threat. In Kansas City's offense, he could be especially dangerous in terms of making plays after the catch.

Round 6

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Round 6, Pick 203: Tyler Marz, OL, Wisconsin

The Chiefs choose to add yet another offensive lineman in the sixth round, bringing in Tyler Marz of Wisconsin. In addition to playing against a tough Big Ten schedule last year, Marz also matched up against Alabama and USC. 

In other words, this is a player who is used to facing stiff competition. When you watch Marz from his time at Wisconsin, nothing jumps off the page. However, he does enough to get the job done in most instances and is a player that could benefit from having the right guy coaching him and refining his skills.

Marz is just one of those players who will do whatever is asked of him and do an adequate job. A durable player in college, he played in 50 games and started 40 consecutive contests for the Badgers.

He may need to spend a year on the practice squad, but the work ethic he displayed in college could also help him earn a roster spot as a rookie.

Round 7

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Round 7, Pick 249: Tra Carson, RB, Texas A&M

Reid has always liked to run the ball, and he has a trio of backs he can do that with. But last year, Jamaal Charles missed most of the season with an injury. Charcandrick West and Spencer Ware played great in his absence, however. 

Charles is still one of the most dynamic running backs in the league when he's at 100 percent, but he will also be 30 years old at the end of the year. It won't hurt to start building the backfield for the future and bringing in guys who can help take the load off Charles.

Tra Carson would be a great choice if he is still on the board this late in the seventh round. Last year at Texas A&M, he ran for 1,165 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 4.8 yards per carry. He also showed he can catch the ball out of the backfield, as he had 29 catches as well.

Teams may be wary of Carson, as an injury prevented him from performing at the combine, but those familiar with him have seen his tough, downhill running style firsthand. He wouldn't be an every-down back to begin his career, and he may never be. But he would be able to come into games in short-yardage situations and provide a big boost.

This is the kind of player a team coached by Reid could get a lot of production from.