As all of us in the great city of Columbia, Missouri are surely aware, this is Chiefs country. Ever since the Rams left St. Louis for greener (note the color of a dollar bill) pastures, the state of Missouri has had one football team to root for in terms of geographical proximity. But enough about the history of football in Missouri, the Chiefs are defending Super Bowl Champions (hooray!) but lost key pieces like Orlando Brown Jr., Juju Smith-Schuster, and Andrew Wylie (not hooray). They have already made a few key moves in free agency like adding RT Jawaan Taylor,  DE Charles Ominehu, and a familiar name to Mizzou fans in QB Blaine Gabbert. There is still work to be done however, and that starts in the first round of the draft. Here are the prospects who I think could go at #31 to Kansas City. 

Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma

This draft class is deep in some spots and anemic in others. Luckily for the Chiefs, the tackle position is as deep as Table Rock Lake is (and if that reference doesn’t make sense, there is a whole town under there). After losing Orlando Brown Jr. and Andrew Wylie in free agency, the Chiefs added Jawaan Taylor but there is still a massive gap at left tackle. Enter Anton Harrison, a 6’4” 315 lb man. In spite of his frame, he’s one of the speedier tackles in the draft. He had a sub 540 yard dash and worked in an Oklahoma offense that was known for its quick RPOs. He lacks a bit of strength, but I think his athleticism and ability to improvise will fit perfectly in a Chiefs offense that borders on chaotic jazz at times. 

Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan

I love me some Chris Jones but you know who I am lukewarm on? Danny Shelton, the other defensive tackle starter according to the Chiefs depth chart. Shelton didn’t play a snap all year last year and is, as the kids say, washed. Also, Chris Jones isn’t getting any younger, but I shudder to think of a time when “Stone Cold” isn’t in the trenches for the Chiefs. To ease these concerns, I think Mazi Smith is a great prospect for a defense that is trending younger and younger. Smith is not going to pull in double digit sacks or be a fumble causing machine but he will make a top ten run defense (#8 in rushing yards allowed) EVEN BETTER. He can toss interior lineman and wrap up running backs with his massive 323 lb frame. I mean come on, his teammates at Oklahoma called him “the Gorilla” because of how massive and powerful he is. Let him learn from Derrick Nnadi, and I promise you, even Derrick Henry will be a bit frightened.

Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU 

This one might require a trade up to the upper 20s, but moving the fourth rounder they got from Miami and some other capital could help. Look, I believe  any WR that plays with Mahomes can be a stud, and the Chiefs are better suited improving in other areas. However, the Chiefs haven’t drafted a stud WR since Tyreek Hill fell into the Chiefs laps. Now the Chiefs have plenty of small, quick guys, but they need to replace a big body possession receiver in Juju Smith-Schuster. That’s where Johnston comes in. He’s 6’4” and has an incredible blend of size, strength and speed. Johnston plays like the small quick receivers Mahomes is used to throwing to, but the fact that he is 6’4” and has a 40” vertical is very scary. He has small issues like ball-finishing and a few route running quirks but that’s nothing that Coach Reid can’t fix.