Kansas City Chiefs NFL draft picks 2022: Analysis for every selection

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The 2022 NFL draft was held Thursday through Saturday, and every Kansas City Chiefs draft pick is analyzed here.

The draft was held in Las Vegas in the area adjacent to Caesars Forum two years after it was initially scheduled. The 2020 NFL draft was turned into a virtual event because of COVID-19.

Here's a pick-by-pick look at how each player Kansas City has selected will fit.

Analysis of every NFL pick | Updated depth charts

Round 1, No. 21 overall: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

My take: The Chiefs had a need at cornerback after losing starter Charvarius Ward in free agency. They felt strongly enough about McDuffie to move up from the 29th pick and sent the Patriots three draft picks for the privilege. McDuffie has to be a starter from day one given all that.

More corner help later on? The Chiefs still could use help on their depth chart. Their top three cornerbacks are L'Jarius Sneed, Rashad Fenton and McDuffie, but there's playing time available for another corner.

Another Washington cornerback: The Chiefs last picked a corner in the first round in 2015, when they selected another Husky, Marcus Peters. He lasted just three seasons before the Chiefs traded him to the Rams. Peters was a good player for the Chiefs, but McDuffie needs to have a longer-lasting impact for this trade to be worth what the Chiefs gave up to draft him.

Round 1, No. 30 overall: George Karlaftis, DE, Purdue

My take: The Chiefs needed help on the edge after their pass rush fell to 29th in sacks last season. Karlaftis was a productive pass-rusher in college at Purdue, and he should be able to help Chris Jones, Frank Clark and others in giving the Chiefs a significant boost next season.

Filling a need: General manager Brett Veach said last week that cornerback and defensive end were neck and neck as the Chiefs' biggest positional needs. They nabbed a player at both spots with their first two picks. Even after selecting Karlaftis, the Chiefs have room for another edge rusher. One of last season's top rushers, Melvin Ingram, is a free agent.

Pass-rush punch: The Chiefs last season had a pass rush win rate of 55% when both Jones and Clark were on the field. That number dropped to 37% with one or both out of the lineup. The Chiefs were 29th also in run stop win rate among their edge defenders. Those are two areas where Karlaftis must have an impact.

Round 2, No. 54 overall: Skyy Moore, WR, Western Michigan

My take: The Chiefs continue to rebuild at wide receiver after trading Tyreek Hill and losing Demarcus Robinson and Byron Pringle to free agency. Moore, at 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds, is from a different mold than free-agent additions JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who are bigger receivers. But playing time will be available for Moore to claim as a rookie. Mecole Hardman is the only Chiefs wide receiver among their top four players at the position who is back from last season. Moore led major college receivers last season in catches (23) and yards (433) on slant routes.

Round 2, No. 62 overall: Bryan Cook, S, Cincinnati

My take: The Chiefs' overhaul of the secondary continues with the second defensive back of their draft (following Trent McDuffie) and second safety of the offseason (following free-agent addition Justin Reid). The Chiefs in Cook, Reid and Juan Thornhill have their top three safeties for next season.

Round 3, No. 103 overall: Leo Chenal, LB, Wisconsin

My take: Chenal is the third Day 2 linebacker drafted by the Chiefs in the past three years, following Willie Gay and Nick Bolton. The Chiefs have Gay and Bolton, plus free-agent addition Jermaine Carter, in line for playing time ahead of Chenal, so special teams might be his main duty as a rookie.

Round 4, No. 135 overall: Joshua Williams, CB, Fayetteville State

My take: Williams is the first player from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to be drafted since 2020. He is the second corner drafted by the Chiefs, following McDuffie in the first round, so Williams is deep into a line for playing time that also includes veterans L'Jarius Sneed and Rashad Fenton. Williams in coming from a Division II school could need the time to develop.

Round 5, No. 145 overall: Darian Kinnard, OT, Kentucky

My take: Don't be surprised if Kinnard winds up starting at right tackle when the season begins. The Chiefs have no obvious candidate ahead of him, so the opportunity to start will be there. He started 39 games in college, so Kinnard should be ready to compete for the job when camp begins.

Round 7, No. 243 overall: Jaylen Watson, CB, Washington State

My take: The Chiefs after previously drafting cornerbacks in the first and fourth rounds are running out of roster room at the position, so it might be difficult for Watson to make it to the regular season. But the Chiefs have struggled with depth at corner, so it can't hurt to throw numbers at the problem.

Round 7, No. 251 overall: Isaih Pacheco, RB, Rutgers

My take: In Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Ronald Jones, the Chiefs have their top two running backs. But there's room on the roster for one more, and Pacheco should compete with Derrick Gore to claim it.

Round 7, No. 259 overall: Nazeeh Johnson, S, Marshall

My take: Johnson is the fourth safety acquired by the Chiefs this offseason, following Justin Reid and Deon Bush in free agency and Bryan Cook in the second round of the draft. That doesn't speak well for his chances to make the team.