Three players the Kansas City Chiefs should target in the 2020 NFL Draft

The 2019 NFL season is winding down, and the 2020 NFL Draft is only four months away. The Kansas City Chiefs are very much alive and in the thick of things in the AFC. Unfortunately for them, the Baltimore Ravens are red hot and pose a massive threat, likely holding home-field advantage.

Andy Reid has been a terrific coach for many years; however, he has failed to secure a Lombardi trophy. The Chiefs star-studded offense, featuring Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, Sammy Watkins, and Mecole Hardman, is certainly not the issue. It’s the Kansas City defense, namely the secondary, that needs to be improved for this team to win the ultimate prize.

Whom can the Kansas Chiefs select in the 2020 NFL Draft that will enhance their defense and ultimately put them in a position to win a Super Bowl?

Dylan Moses, Linebacker, Alabama

Heading into the 2019 season, Alabama’s Dylan Moses was considered the best draft-eligible linebacker in the 2020 NFL draft class and a top-10 player overall. He suffered a significant knee injury that cost him his entire 2019 season; however, he is a terrific player that could give the Chiefs an immediate game-changing linebacker. 

Linebacker might not be the Chiefs’ most pressing need, but backups Darron Lee and Reggie Ragland are unrestricted free agents, and starters Damien Wilson and Anthony Hitchens should be upgraded. 

As I highlighted in my recent article, Moses has the tools and potential to be an elite player. His ability to diagnose plays, speed to the football, and fulfill gap responsibilities separates him from the pack. But it is not only Moses’ play on the field that makes him special; his passion for the game is unparalleled. Want an example?

Take a look at the image below. You will see Moses dressed in his pads and standing on the sidelines for the LSU game. Why is that special? Moses is out for the season with an ACL injury, yet this game meant so much to him that he decided to throw on the pads and stand with his teammates.

Dylan Moses was dressed out in pads for the LSU game after tearing his ACL in August. He was never going to play, can’t remember seeing a player hurt like that in uniform. pic.twitter.com/mhiTyemdLj

— Michael Casagrande (@ByCasagrande) November 10, 2019

There really isn’t anything that Moses cannot due from the linebacker position. One thing that I have noticed in the tape is Moses’ effectiveness as a blitzer. Take a glimpse at the clip below, which shows Moses blitz the gap, fight off a block, and bring down the quarterback for a sack.

Simply no escaping Dylan Moses. pic.twitter.com/6VdN1BWoU9

— SEConCBS (@SEConCBS) November 5, 2017

If the Chiefs could land a player of the caliber of Moses in the 2020 NFL Draft, they should run to the podium to turn in the card. Moses is a leader among men, who would immediately add a fierceness to Kansas City linebacker group.

C.J. Henderson, Cornerback, Florida

The Chiefs are currently strong at the safety position with the tandem of Tyrann Mathieu and the emerging Juan Thornhill, but they could certainly use some help at cornerback. It’s clear that Kansas City lacks a pure shut-down corner, and lucky enough for them, the 2020 NFL Draft class is loaded at the cornerback position.

The cornerback who I believe fits the Chiefs’ defense the most is Florida’s C.J. Henderson. Henderson gets a bad wrap because he isn’t a great tackler; however, he has cover skills that will make your jaw drop. He excels in man coverage, as his long arms and change of direction skills allow him to shadow any receiver that he faces. He is a tremendous athlete, has excellent ball skills, and is as fierce of a competitor as they come. 

The video clip below will show textbook cover skills from Henderson. The most impressive part of the clip is the receiver he is covering, Ja’Marr Chase, who is a future top-10 selection.

CJ Henderson.. arguably the best cornerback in the nation pic.twitter.com/Dy8zbJsXDb

— CrockTIME (@eric_crocker) October 13, 2019

Coming into the 2019 season, many thought Henderson was destined to be a top-10 pick in the 2020 draft. His season started slowly; however, he rebounded quite nicely and his draft stock is again on the rise. He would be a great selection for the Chiefs as a late first-round pick. 

Terrell Lewis, Defensive End, Alabama

Finding an explosive pass-rusher to pair with Frank Clark would undoubtedly be one way to take the Chiefs’ defense to the next level. Alex Okafor is a fine player, but he recently tore his pectoral muscle, and adding depth on the edge is never a bad idea.

Alabama pass-rusher Terrell Lewis entered the 2019 season coming off of a major injury himself; however, in his return, he has shown the explosiveness that had NFL scouts salivating before the injury. Lewis is a physical specimen who is long and has an outstanding ability to bend around the edge. His size is impressive, standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing roughly 255 pounds. His speed off the edge flashes when you watch him on tape.

Want clutch? Lewis’ speed was more than evident in the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship. Watch the clip below to see Lewis’ speed overwhelm the Georgia center, allowing him to secure a big-time sack.

Terrell Lewis: "I want to play. I want to have a legacy when I leave Alabama."#RollTide pic.twitter.com/LQVZVirc6u

— Alabama DieHards (@AlabamaDieHards) December 27, 2018

Lewis plays with a relentless motor, has game-changing speed, uses his hands well and can finish, which is evident in the clip below.

Terrell Lewis is going to be a riser in this pass rush group

I think he'll do well against the @seniorbowl OL and when healthy, he's had some huge games pic.twitter.com/nn8967lBfi

— Connor Rogers (@ConnorJRogers) December 17, 2019

Lewis will get a chance to show everyone how good he is at the Reese’ Senior Bowl. Hopefully, for the Chiefs, Lewis is still on the board when they are on the clock in the 2020 NFL Draft.