2019 NFL Draft Mock 3.0: What if the Redskins traded back?
By Ian Cummings
The Chiefs’ offense is set. They’ve got a top-flight franchise quarterback, a plethora of weapons at his disposal, and a solid offensive line to facilitate. One could make the argument for a running back here, but after seeing the kinds of returns Kansas City got from Damien Hill late in the 2018 season, they likely don’t feel the need to force the issue at that position.
If the Chiefs spend their first-round pick anywhere in the NFL Draft, it has to be on the defensive side of the ball. The Chiefs were consistently in shootouts in 2018, and while they were able to come out on top often enough, with their transcendent offense, their defense too often failed to carry its own weight, especially against the pass, where they ranked at No. 31 in the NFL, allowing 273.4 yards per game.
With Steve Spagnuolo replacing Bob Sutton as defensive coordinator, the Chiefs could prioritize an overhaul of their secondary, and seek out flexibility from their first-round NFL Draft pick. With Florida’s Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, they’d get just that.
Gardner-Johnson is listed as a safety, but truthfully, his 6-foot-0, 208-pound size, speed and awareness allows him to line up at a number of different spots in the secondary. He logged nine interceptions and 12 pass deflections in three years with the Gators, showing off his ball skills. Whether he’s in the box, in the slot, or single high, Gardner-Johnson has a unique blend of talent and tenacity that the Chiefs shouldn’t pass up.