NFL reporter says Chiefs could have their eye on Tyreek Hill's replacement in second round of 2022 NFL Draft
The Kansas City Chiefs' biggest objective in the 2022 NFL Draft is finding a replacement for wide receiver Tyreek Hill — which obviously won't be easy. On Tuesday morning, I suggested that Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams would be an ideal replacement for Hill. Williams is coming off a torn ACL, but he's probably the […]
The Kansas City Chiefs' biggest objective in the 2022 NFL Draft is finding a replacement for wide receiver Tyreek Hill — which obviously won't be easy.
On Tuesday morning, I suggested that Alabama wide receiver Jameson Williams would be an ideal replacement for Hill.
Williams is coming off a torn ACL, but he's probably the best wide receiver in the draft. He'll fall further in the draft than he should, but he likely won't fall all the way to No. 29 (which is the Chiefs' first pick). Kansas City would almost certainly have to trade up in the first round to land Williams. It's unclear if that's something general manager Brett Veach would be willing to do.
If the Chiefs don't find a replacement for Hill in the first round, there's an option that could be available in the second round.
Pro Football Network reporter Tony Pauline thinks Kansas City could be eyeing Memphis wide receiver Calvin Austin III in the second round as a replacement for Hill.
Austin seems like the perfect replacement in Kansas City for the recently traded Tyreek Hill. But the Chiefs have been quiet about Austin — no official 30 visits, no private workouts. Then again, that could be the giveaway. Historically, Andy Reid chooses to remain on the outside looking in when it comes to prospects he’s interested in — until draft day, of course, when Reid pulls the trigger. Kansas City has a pair of picks in the bottom half of Round 2 (Nos. 50 and 62). I could absolutely see them using one of those selections to draft Austin.
Austin is seemingly a perfect replacement for Hill. He's one of the best route runners in the draft and he runs a 4.32 in the 40-yard dash (Hill ran a 4.29 in the 40-yard dash).
The reason Austin could fall to later in the second round is his height — he's only 5’7 3/4".
Austin's height could scare off some teams, but probably not the Chiefs, considering Hill's measured height at the combine was 5'8 1/8".
The fact that Kansas City hasn't had Austin in for a pre-draft visit could be an attempt by the Chiefs to keep Austin "hidden" so he'll fall to them in the second round.
It's worth noting, though, that if Kansas City likes Austin enough, they could always use the No. 30 overall pick on him. Or they could trade down a couple of spots to the early second round to land Austin and secure some extra draft capital.
Featured image via Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
