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Nick Jacobs' Mock Draft: Trade changes Chiefs' draft targets

Posted at 2:40 PM, Apr 23, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-23 15:40:34-04

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach has a unique draft to tackle in his second season.

The roster is ready for a Super Bowl run, and this week can push the Chiefs over the top into the team to beat in AFC.

Veach made his stance clear during his pre-draft press conference on Thursday.

"We know we were inches away to going to Atlanta for the Super Bowl," he said. "I think there’s no one more driven than Coach (Reid) and our staff up there to get this thing. We aren’t trying to build for the future, we are trying to win now. We are going to stay aggressive."

The difference in making it to the home of the Super Bowl in Miami or watching from home again this season could potentially be decided this weekend. The New England Patriots showed the Chiefs their faults. Kansas City lacked additional receiving help to allow Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce to beat their match-ups. The power run game was gone after the dismissal of Kareem Hunt to keep the offense on track in down and distance. And the Chiefs still couldn't stop the run when it mattered.

This week is crucial to infuse the necessary youth to help this roster take the next step.

ADDITIONAL NFL DRAFT COVERAGE
[April 10 — Nick Jacobs: Best running back fits ]
[April 11 — Nick Jacobs: Best wide receiver fits ]
[April 12 — Nick Jacobs: Best tight end fits ]
[April 15 — Nick Jacobs: Best interior offensive line fits ]
[April 16 — Nick Jacobs: Best offensive tackle fits ]
[April 17 — Nick Jacobs: Best edge rusher fits ]
[April 18 — Nick Jacobs: Seven-round Chiefs mock draft, v 1.0 ]
[April 18 — Nick Jacobs: best defensive tackle fits ]
[April 19 — Nick Jacobs: First-round mock draft ]
[April 19 — Nick Jacobs: Best linebacker fits ]
[April 22 — Nick Jacobs: Best cornerback fits ]
[Today — Nick Jacobs: Best safety fits]

First round (29): Traded to Seattle Seahawks for DE Frank Clark
The Chiefs needed to find a premiere edge rusher who was athletic, good bend around the edge and the size to hold up in the run game. Clark provides them that player in the prime years of his career.

Second round (61): S Juan Thornhill, Virginia
Thornhill provides the Chiefs with the necessary range they need at safety. He also has the versatility they need to move him all over the field to give Tyrann Mathieu the best match-ups possible.

Second round (63): CB Joejuan Williams, Vanderbilt
The Chiefs will likely need to pick up a corner back in the second round if they want to have an additional player who can make an impact on defense. Williams provides the secondary with a long-term starting corner that is physical. He is able to adjust quickly and explode when changing direction. Williams just needs work getting his head turned around quicker.

Other Options: CB Lonnie Johnson (Kentucky), CB Amani Oruwariye (Penn State), CB Sean Bunting, Central Michigan, DE Jaylon Ferguson (Louisiana Tech), DE Anthony Nelson (Iowa), DL Zach Allen (Boston College), SS Amani Hooker (Iowa), and RB David Montgomery (Iowa State)

Third round (84): TE Jace Sternberger, Texas A&M
Sternberger is an insurance policy that allows the Chiefs to have another receiving weapon. Kansas City still needs to replace the athleticism of Demetrius Harris on the roster. Sternberger's athletic ability would pair well with the wide receivers and Travis Kelce.

Other Options: OL Michael Jordan (Ohio State), TE Kahale Warring (San Diego State), WR Riley Ridley (Georgia), LB Blake Cashman (Minnesota), DT Khalen Saunders (Western Illinois), and DE Charles Omenihu (Texas)

Fifth round (167): WR Stanley Morgan Jr, Nebraska
Morgan is a strong possession receiver that moves the chains. He is willing to make the tough catches over the middle and attacks the football when it is thrown his way. He has impressive hands and finds ways to create separation with his cuts and boxing out the defender. Receiver is a position that would be best tackled in the third or fifth round.

Other Options: RB/WR Tony Pollard (Memphis), CB Jimmy Moreland (James Madison), TE Foster Moreau (LSU), OG Phil Haynes (Wake Forest), CB Stephen Denmark (ValdostaState), TE Dax Raymond (Utah State), LB Emeke Egbule (Houston), and DE Carl Granderson (Wyoming)

Sixth round (201): RB Alex Barnes, K-State
The Chiefs will likely be looking to add a power running back that can run out of shotgun. There will be plenty on the board from the third through sixth round. Barnes is one of the strongest but tested out really well and is worth the value here.

Sixth round (214): LB Jamal Davis II (Sam), Akron
Davis might be an undrafted free agent but his athletic ability is worth developing. He has good size and ability to rush off the edge. Davis could contribute on special teams immediately while he develops through the Chiefs strength training program. He is a long-term athletic linebacker in the making with his combination of size and speed.

Other Options: RB Jalin Moore (Appalachian State), RB Devine Ozigbo (Nebraska), S Marquise Blair (Utah), OL Mitch Hyatt (Clemson)

Seventh round (216): LB Troy Reeder, Delaware (Mike)
Veach takes a flyer on a fellow Blue Hen. Reeder was a second-team freshman All-American at Penn State. He elected to transfer and play at his father's (Dan) alma mater with his younger brother Colby. Reeder is a stout linebacker that played the mike position in Delaware's 3-4 scheme. Reeder could provide an immediate impact on special teams in the mold of Anthony Sherman.

Other Options: OG Alex Bars (Notre Dame), RB AJ Oulette (Ohio), RB Marcus Marshall (James Madison), WR Jalen Guyton (North Texas), and QB Gardner Minshew (Washington State)

The stakes are high this weekend and the Chiefs have multiple areas that need attention. Veach improved the run defense but now must focus on the secondary and creating additional weapons for Kansas City to make a Super Bowl run a reality.

You can listen to the "4th and 1" podcast with Tod Palmer and Nick Jacobs on iTunes , Stitcher , Spotify , and TuneIn . You can also find Jacobs on twitter @Jacobs71 .