Chiefs’ best NFL Draft option to replace Tyreek Hill

The Kansas City Chiefs can replace Tyreek Hill with one of their two first-round draft picks.

After trading away Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins, one would think the Kansas City Chiefs would be in the market to draft a wide receiver very high this spring.

While losing Hill to a potential contender in the AFC stinks, keep in mind how expensive the former fifth-round pick was going to be in short order. Miami could afford to pay him a premium, far beyond what the Chiefs could. The good news is Kansas City has a pair of very late first-round picks (No. 30 and No. 31) to potentially replace Hill at wide receiver in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Though he might be a reach for most teams, the Chiefs can afford to take a gamble on Georgia’s George Pickens with either very late first-round selection.

Kansas City Chiefs can replace Tyreek Hill with George Pickens in the NFL Draft

Pickens may have played for the national champions last season, but he spent most of his true junior year on the mend. Immensely talented, Georgia never did get all of that potential out of its best receiving talent since arguably A.J. Green in Pickens. Though he may fall into the upper part of the second round, the Chiefs would be wise to take him at either No. 30 or No. 31 in the NFL Draft.

The reasoning behind this is simple: That fifth-year option. Pickens is one of those prospects who could be a multi-time Pro Bowler before the end of his rookie contract. If he is a first-round pick, then that gives a team like the Chiefs one more year of control. Otherwise, he could be getting the franchise tag or be hitting unrestricted free agency after his fourth professional season in the NFL.

More importantly, Pickens satisfies some of that explosive playmaking ability that only Hill possesses. Though he is not going to be the next Hill because no one is, Pickens is a versatile receiver who can line up in multiple spots, as well as be a menace in helping the ground game outside of the numbers. Pickens is not for everyone, but he will fit right in with Chiefs Kingdom.

If Pickens ends up on the Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes has a new star receiver for the next five years.