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Kansas City Chiefs: 7-Round 2019 mock draft after AFC Championship loss

By Cody Williams

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 20: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs throws a pass in the first half against the New England Patriots during the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 20, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 20: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs throws a pass in the first half against the New England Patriots during the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 20, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /
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NFL Draft, NFL Mock Draft
ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 08: Deandre Baker #18 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates a play during the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Round 1, Pick 29: Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia

As currently constituted, the Kansas City Chiefs secondary leaves a lot to be desired. Sure, they have a star in Eric Berry at safety, which is a good starting point. Moreover, Kendall Fuller showed flashes throughout the season at cornerback. Especially when it comes to cornerback, though, this group needs an upgrade in the worst way.

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Behind Fuller at cornerback, the Chiefs have Steven Nelson opposite him, an aging and increasingly ineffective Orlando Scandrick, inexperienced Charvarius Ward and the same with Tremon Smith. No one in that group is an elite talent or, really, anything close to that. Thus, using their first-round pick on someone to man the outside of the secondary would be a wise allocation of their capital.

Deandre Baker out of Georgia is one of the top cornerbacks in the 2019 NFL Draft class and for good reason. The former Bulldog is a versatile corner that excels primarily in press coverage where he’s able to show off his strong hands and really jam receivers early in their routes. Having said that, he’s also shown to be effective when asked to cover in short zone.

Baker isn’t a perfect prospect by any stretch. The cornerback isn’t the most fluid player in terms of his hips and feet and isn’t going to be setting any records in the 40-yard dash. However, he’s not a liability by any means in either of those regards and projects as a player that can join an NFL roster and start from Day 1.

There’s an argument to be made that the Chiefs should look at other positions outside of corner early in the draft. Having said that, with an elite prospect like Baker falling to them at a position of need, they can’t pass it up.

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