Chiefs must make a bold move in the NFL Draft

With Patrick Mahomes’ extension fast approaching, the Kansas City Chiefs must strike while the Super Bowl irons are hot this spring.

It is no secret that the the Kansas City Chiefs should work to maximize their potential. They should be added pieces in pursuit of a Super Bowl title before Patrick Mahomes’ much-anticipated extension comes due. More than anything, making good on that objective will require an aggressive, savvy draft of NFL-ready starters.

Most draft pundits and analysts have predicted this to be the best edge-rushing class in quite some time. Conveniently, the Chiefs also have a need for a premium pass rusher after letting Justin Houston leave in free agency and trading Dee Ford to San Francisco. Pro Football Focus places edge rusher as one of the Chiefs primary remaining needs.

The aforementioned trade also gives the Chiefs the ammunition needed to move up. Considering the Chiefs first-round pick this year (No. 29), and a mid-second round pick next year (let’s say, for the sake of discussion, pick No. 48, could be coupled together to move up to around the 15th pick in this year’s draft. In short, the Chiefs can certainly move up if they decide to do so.

All this is why Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach should look to get up the board in pursuit of a premier pass-rusher.

The target? Clemson’s Clelin Ferrell. Ferrell brings a high motor, experience against talented offensive linemen and an overall ability to the Chiefs pass rush which otherwise may find itself too weak to be competitive.

From The Draft Network’s analysis: “[Ferrell] brings variety and well-timed strikes. Flexible in his rush plans and can long arm tackles around the edge, rip/dip his way through a soft angle, work back inside with an arm over/shallow swim…pace of play is not a problem and effectively takes visual feedback to string together moves.”

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The Chiefs must take advantage of the window they have to build a championship-caliber defense with young, relatively affordable players before the bill comes due on Mahomes. A failure to be smart and aggressive by Veach will tarnish his legacy.