Trent McDuffie- Corner- 5’11’ 193- 35 tackles, 4 tfl’s, 1 sack

The Chiefs were able to grab McDuffie, PFF’s 11th ranked overall prospect, with the 21st pick in the draft. I was geniuely shocked that they didn’t draft edge Jermaine Johnson II. Edge was in my opinion a higher priority than corner. However, I understand the appeal of a guy like McDuffie. I saw mocks that had McDuffie going as high as pick 11 to the Commanders. Brett Veach just acquired arguably the most technically sound corner in this draft. McDuffie was so dominant last season, teams literally avoided throwing to his side of the field. He only allowed 16 receptions on 36 targets for a total of 111 yards (fewest yards allowed by any CB targeted 30 or more times). McDuffie posses shutdown corner talent despite his average size for a CB1. He played mostly zone at the University of Washington but he showed great technique and fluid hips to play off-man and press-man. Chiefs fans will love his competiveness and willingness to fly downhill to make a hit in the flat or in run support. He should slide into one of the starting outside corner postions for the Chiefs and be one of KC’s leaders on defense for years. He is one of the few prospects that is ready to start in the NFL from day one. He has pro bowl potential. I love that Veach used this pick on a player that undoubtebly will contribute on defense. Awesome value at pick 21

Pick Grade: B+

George Karlaftis- Edge- 6’4″ 266- 39 tackles, 10 tfl’s, 4.5 sacks

I have to be honest, I was not a fan of Mr. Karlaftis. During the pre draft process I felt like Karlaftis was a good player, but did not posses the high-level cieling of a dominant pass rusher. Karlaftis does exhibit great play strength and an nonstop motor. He just is not built in the mold of a speed rush type that can bend the edge and win with an array of moves and leverage. What Karlaftis does do well is using his push the pocket with elite strength. His initial burst off the line of scrimmage is impressive and he knows how to use his hands to get tackles off their spot. He does not have eye popping sack numbers but according to PFF he produced a pressure on 16.7% of his snaps in 2021. He actually had a better season when he was a frehsman (17 TFLs 7.5 sacks).

His relentless motor and physical traits should put him on the field early and give him a role as a rotational pass rusher early in the season. However, due to his less than ideal arm length and wingspan, he could struggle to defeat tackles that are just as strong and powerful as him. I see him as someone that can take advantage of bad offensive lineman but could struggle against some of the more experienced tackles in the league. At pick 30 the Chiefs recieved great value as Karlaftis was viewed by most as a top 10 prospect overall. Karlaftis will always be compared to Jermaine Johnson II who the Chiefs could have taken at pick 21 but instead chose Trent McDuffie. If JJ2 becomes an established pass rusher before Karlaftis, this pick will be scrutinized pretty heavily. Brett Veach does not have a quality track record in selecting defensive lineman in the draft. Karlaftis needs to be an impact rusher if not a pro bowl level rusher within the next 2 years for this pick to be viewed as a success.

Pick Grade: C+