The Kansas City Chiefs had a rather solid showing during the 2022 NFL Draft. They entered with a few holes on the roster, but the front office addressed nearly all of their biggest needs. We take a look at the Chiefs' draft class and provide some grades for each pick.
Kansas City ended up taking 10 prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft. Eight of them are defensive players, which is exactly what the Chiefs needed. The defense has been a bit concerning the last two years, but these prospects should help in the long run. This team will likely be competitive for quite some time, especially after finding Tyreek Hill's replacement.
With that said, here are our 2022 NFL Draft grades for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Kansas City Chiefs 2022 Draft Grades
Round 1 Pick 21 Overall – Trent McDuffie: A+
Trent McDuffie is arguably the best cornerback of this draft class. He's a stud athlete who produced throughout his collegiate career. He consistently shut down opposing wide receivers in the Pac-12, which is why the Chiefs selected him in the first round.
Kansas City was in a tough spot on defense, but McDuffie brings a new element to the secondary. The Chiefs' defense should immediately improve with him in the lineup, which was much needed for this franchise. This team selected one of the best prospects in a position of need, making him an A+ selection.
Round 1 Pick 30 Overall – George Karlaftis: A-
Another area of concern is the defensive line. The Chiefs struggled to rush the quarterback last season and the front office addressed that issue in the draft. George Karlaftis is a solid prospect who will likely have an impactful role immediately. We should see him active throughout his rookie season, as Kansas City develops the young pass rusher. If he becomes a star, then this franchise is in good hands for the next few years.
Round 2 Pick 54 Overall – Skyy Moore: A+
Skyy Moore had no business falling to the 54th overall pick. This kid has all of the tools necessary to be a stud wide receiver in the NFL and he joins one of the best offenses in the league. He's likely going to be the second option behind Juju Smith-Schuster, but Moore has the potential to become a legitimate superstar. The Chiefs hit a homerun selecting him in the second round.
Round 2 Pick 62 Overall – Bryan Cook: B+
Eight picks later, Kansas City went back to defense and acquired Bryan Cook. After letting Tyrann Mathieu walk in free agency, the Chiefs needed to find a replacement. The front office did just that, as Cook has a ton of potential to be a solid contributor for years. He plays more like a true safety, but the defense has massively improved in the secondary through this draft.
Round 3 Pick 103 Overall – Leo Chenal: A-
The Chiefs addressed all three phases of the defense within the first three rounds. Leo Chenal is an underrated linebacker who should be a solid contributor for years to come. He might need some time to develop, as he needs to fine-tune his skill set before taking on a bigger role. Regardless, we should see Chenal play periodically throughout his rookie year.
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Round 4 Pick 135 Overall – Joshua Williams: B
Kansas City went back to the secondary in round four, taking another cornerback in Joshua Williams. He likely won't have a starting role to begin his career. However, Williams can be a decent backup for the defense, giving the Chiefs some depth in a premier position. Keep an eye on this kid, as he should be able to grow into a starting role while he develops.
Round 5 Pick 145 Overall – Darian Kinnard: B+
The Chiefs decided to add some depth to the offensive line in the fifth round after selecting Darian Kinnard in the 2022 NFL Draft. Maybe if he develops his game, Kinnard can become a starter one day. However, it's more likely he plays a rotational role throughout most of his career.
Round 7 Pick 243 Overall – Jaylen Watson: B
Jaylen Watson was the third cornerback the Chiefs selected in the NFL Draft. Considering he was taken in round seven, he is more likely to play with the special teams unit. We'll see how he does, but Kansas City might have found a special teams guru late in the draft.
Round 7 Pick 251 Overall – Isiah Pacheco: C
The Chiefs have a rather crowded running back room. Isiah Pacheco doesn't have. a great shot at making the final roster, but he might serve as a kick returner. If not, then we should see Pacheco going on the practice squad.
Round 7 Pick 259 Overall – Nazeeh Johnson: B-
The Chiefs couldn't stop drafting players in the secondary. Nazeeh Johnson is a safety who is in a similar situation as Jaylen Watson. Johnson will have an opportunity to play on special teams. However, if he surprises the coaching staff he could earn a role as a backup safety.
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