2019 NFL Draft: 5 players Chiefs could take in Round 1

KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 20: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs shouts out calls before the snap during the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots at Arrowhead Stadium on January 20, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

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FORT WORTH, TX – OCTOBER 21: TCU Horned Frogs defensive tackle L.J. Collier (91) during the football game between the Kansas Jayhawks and TCU Horned Frogs on October 21, 2017 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, TX. (Photo by Andrew Dieb/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. L.J. Collier

Collier is a prospect who deserves more first round buzz than he’s getting at the moment. He might not be the most explosive defensive end in this draft class, but he does play the run better than almost every other guy in this range of the draft.

That isn’t the sexiest quality in an NFL defensive end, but the Chiefs need a lot of help preventing opponents from playing keep away with their run game next season. Collier is a guy who can do a lot to keep the team’s athletic linebackers free and clear to make plays with their speed.

It’s not as if Collier can’t rush the passer too. He’s a perfectly adequate edge rusher. He doesn’t have the quickness to blow NFL tackles away, but he’s a steady worker who should improve with a few more moves added to his repertoire at the NFL level.

Teams hoping to grab Collier in Round 2 may be very disappointed when he finds a way to sneak into the bottom of the first round. There are players with higher ceilings that the Chiefs might choose here, but Collier looks like a safe bet to be a solid starter for quite a while.

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