MJD’s mock draft 1.0 calls for a good tackle to fall to the Chiefs – Arrowhead Pride

The day ends in “y,” so there must be another mock draft somewhere in the NFL universe. Tuesday’s take on the Kansas City Chiefs’ first-round pick comes from NFL.com and is authored by running-back-turned-analyst Maurice Jones-Drew:

31. Kansas City Chiefs | OT Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State

The Chiefs’ offensive line is a problem. Jenkins adds depth across the unit as he can play both guard and tackle.

In Jones-Drew’s first-round scenario, Jenkins is only the fourth offensive tackle to be selected, following Oregon’s Penei Sewell, Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater and Michigan’s Jalen Mayfield. Jones-Drews thinks the Chiefs will pass on Virginia Tech’s Christian Darrisaw — along with other frequently-mentioned tackle prospects like Dillon Radunz, Walker Little, Sam Cosmi, Alex Leatherwood and Liam Eichenberg.

Have to give kudos here: Jones-Drew recognizes two aspects of the Chiefs’ situation that many analysts miss:

The first is that while the team needs help on the offensive line — not exactly a news flash — exactly where that help will be needed is in flux; the team will very likely need a player who can contribute at tackle through at least the first part of the season. But what happens after that?

The second is that even if this weren’t the case, the Chiefs have historically valued versatile offensive linemen anyway.

Plus… we already know that the Chiefs — along with many other NFL teams — have already met virtually with Jenkins, who is from Topeka.

Thoughts from the AP Draft Team (Matt Lane)

In his offensive tackle awards, our Matt Lane thought Jenkins had the best power in the class.

This one was the closest battle yet, between the eventual winner Teven Jenkins and Christian Darrisaw. What gave Jenkins the final edge was his desire and ability to put 100% into every single engagement on the field, something Darrisaw simply didn’t show interest in.

Jenkins wants to end every single rush laying on top of a defender on the sideline and he’s equally as likely to end up there as he is losing the point of contact.

The very first play in the clip has Jenkins stand-up a top-50 draft pick on the edge while working laterally and then drive him up-field and into the bench. His ability to not only stop the momentum of the player but also reverse and control it 20-plus yards from start to finish is amazing. Every single rep of run blocking or pass protection has Jenkins looking to put as much force into the opponent as possible.

His ability to slap guys and force them 3 yards upfield or turn them before slamming them to the ground without even taking a step is borderline unnatural.

But whether or not Jenkins would fall to 31 is open to question. In their first-round mock a month ago, the Arrowhead Pride Nerd Squad thought Jenkins would be off the board with the 18th pick.

Film session

The Chiefs are projected for eight picks in the 2021 NFL Draft, which begins on Thursday, April 29.