The Kansas City Chiefs are in need of passing game help if they're going to return to the postseason in 2015. They spent big money to bring in Jeremy Maclin from Philadelphia to head up their receiving corps, but instead of adding another wideout here in our 2015 NFL mock draft, Joel Thorman of Arrowhead Pride is going a different direction to add another weapon to Alex Smith's arsenal.
2015 NFL mock draft: Clive Walford to Kansas City Chiefs at No. 49
In need of more weapons in the passing game, our Chiefs blogger passes on receiver prospects for one of the draft’s best tight ends.
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
49. Chiefs: Clive Walford, TE, Miami (FL)
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Thorman: Two of the Chiefs’ biggest issues last season were the offensive line and receivers. They addressed the offensive line with the selection of tackle Andrus Peat in the first round, and now they turn their attention to the passing game. As we saw last season with Travis Kelce and Anthony Fasano, the Chiefs like to run two-tight end sets. With Fasano gone, they need another solid tight end (in addition to under-the-radar tight end Demetrius Harris, who is on the roster) to keep that going. Some people might pick a receiver here, and it’s hard to argue that. We opt for the versatility that another tight end can bring the offense. It also helps that Alex Smith will actually throw to his tight ends.
Dan Kadar, SBNation.com: The run that we’ve seen on wide receivers in this mock put a damper on this pick for the Chiefs. Ohio State’s Devin Smith is the best wide receiver available, but his vertical play doesn’t really fit Kansas City’s offense. The only receiver that fits that you could really argue over Walford is Michigan’s Devin Funchess. He has some flaws, but would probably be used in a similar way as Walford. Funchess is a little faster than Walford, but his hands aren’t as good and he’s nowhere close as a blocker. Because of that, this can be viewed as a smart choice. That is, of course, if you don’t think the Chiefs should actually be taking a defensive lineman with this selection.
Dan’s Top 5 players remaining
- 30. Paul Dawson, LB, TCU
- 32. P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
- 33. Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
- 39. Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State
- 41. Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
Chiefs picks
- 1-18: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
- 2-49: Clive Walford, TE, Miami (FL)
At noon ET, the No. 50-overall pick, made by (yours truly at) Buffalo Rumblings on behalf of the Buffalo Bills, will be announced.
SB Nation presents: The best tight ends in the draft
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