We’re just a few weeks from the start of the 2020 NFL draft, which is set to be done in a virtual setting because of the situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. our friend Luke Easterling over at Draft Wire has released new 3-round mock draft projections. This time he hits three of the Kansas City Chiefs’ top needs.
If they grab a coverage linebacker and offensive line help in the fourth and fifth rounds, Brett Veach will be patting himself on the back. Here are my thoughts on the latest prospects that Draft Wire is sending to Kansas City:
32. A.J. Epenesa | EDGE/DL | Iowa
Epenesa has been the pick in Kansas City for Draft Wire for over a month.
I keep teetering on whether I like this pick for the Chiefs. On one hand, he can be an investment for Kansas City, who is versatile and doesn’t have to play early on. He absolutely fits the mold of Steve Spagnuolo defensive lineman at 6-5 and 275 pounds.
On the other hand, he’s lacking a lot of the desirable traits you want to see in a pass rusher such as bend, explosiveness, and ankle flexion. Where Epenesa wins is his power, size and length. He has a ton of production at the college level using those elements of his game. Will that be enough for him to hold up in the NFL, though? I have my doubts and it’s giving me second thoughts about this player for the Chiefs, especially in the first round.