Latest mock draft from NFL.com could leave Kansas City Chiefs fans very unhappy
The latest mock draft from NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah includes a suggestion that could leave Kansas City Chiefs fans very unhappy. Jeremiah has the Chiefs taking Michigan defensive back Daxton Hill with the No. 30 overall pick. Hill would be a solid pick in the first round. He's a versatile safety who can play all over […]
The latest mock draft from NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah includes a suggestion that could leave Kansas City Chiefs fans very unhappy.
Jeremiah has the Chiefs taking Michigan defensive back Daxton Hill with the No. 30 overall pick.
Hill would be a solid pick in the first round. He's a versatile safety who can play all over the field. He reminds me a lot of current Chiefs defensive back Tyrann Mathieu.
And that's exactly where this prediction could leave Kansas City fans feeling a little uneasy.
Jeremiah is predicting that KC will select Hill as a potential replacement for Mathieu.
"Hill could fill the void if Tyrann Mathieu departs in free agency," wrote Jeremiah. "He can play from back deep to covering in the slot."
On paper, this makes total sense. Hill isn't the same talent level as Mathieu (very few defensive backs are), but he possesses a very similar skill set. And he's one of the best options in the draft to fill the void that Mathieu would leave behind.
The problem is that Hill wouldn't bring the same intangibles to the Chiefs that Mathieu brings.
Mathieu is the heart and soul of Kansas City's defense. There's no way to replace his leadership via the draft or free agency.
I know Mathieu will be looking for a big deal in free agency (it's likely his last big payday as an NFL player). But he also wants to be in Kansas City. The Chiefs might have to spend a little more than they're comfortable with (and maybe Mathieu takes just a little less to stay with KC), but it would be worth it.
The Chiefs don't need to get the idea in their head that they can replace Mathieu with a rookie. And that's nothing against Hill — he looks like a solid player — but there's just no way Kansas City should consider moving on from Mathieu in favor of the young defensive back from Michigan.
Featured image via Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports/Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
