The Chiefs once again made it to the Super Bowl behind head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes. However, this was probably the most forgettable championship in recent memory if you’re a Chiefs fan.
Kansas City was molly-whopped for most of regulation as the Eagles physically dominated the Chiefs until the very end. Philly defensive coordinator Vic Fangio put on one heck of a performance and it showed the NFL at least one way to beat the current iteration of this Chiefs team.
So where do Mahomes and Co. go from here? Do they attempt to counter what the Eagles are building by also becoming a much more physically imposing team in the trenches? What about continuing to build the offense for the future now that Kelce is close to retirement? Are they going to continue with the same plan that’s kept them successful for all these years or do they decide to pivot towards a new identity?
Well, if you’re Caleb James of Arrowhead Pride, you’re okay with sticking to the status quo.
With the 31st pick in the SB Nation Community Mock Draft, James is selecting Missouri receiver Luther Burden as the new member of the Chiefs.
31.) Kansas City Chiefs: Luther Burden, WR, Missouri
James: At one point in time, it seemed that Burden would be a consensus top 10 selection, but character issues and questions about what role he will play on an NFL team have caused his stock to drop as draft day approaches. That said, the Chiefs and Andy Reid’s ties to Mizzou should make them comfortable calling Burden’s name on draft day, and his skill set would make him a perfect match for the Chiefs offense. Burden is a versatile competitor and would thrive in the Chiefs’ motion-heavy and slot-heavy looks, which Patrick Mahomes has diced the league with since entering it. Burden would add another layer to a budding Chiefs wide receiver group with his explosiveness and contested catch capabilities.
Analysis: The Chiefs manage to land one of the most dynamic receivers in the draft despite picking all the way at No. 31. Depending on who you ask, Luther is either the third, fourth, or fifth-best receiver in this draft class. However, none of that matters in the end because playing with Patrick Mahomes immediately raises your floor as an NFL receiver. In this scenario, Burden will have the chance to play alongside all-time great Travis Kelce, second-year wideout Xavier Worthy, and veteran Hollywood Brown. That’s a lot of attention that will be taken away from Burden on most snaps which will only open the door further for the rookie to make an impact in Year 1. Knowing Andy Reid, he’ll also have one heck of a list of plays to make sure Burden hits the ground running and can do what he does best for his new team.
Top five remaining players:
- Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State
- Darius Alexander, DT, Toledo
- Grey Zabel, iOL, North Dakota State
- Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
- Demetrius Knight Jr., LB, South Carolina
Luther Burden is finally off the board and he goes to arguably the best place for a rookie wideout. Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka is now at the top of our best remaining board and South Carolina linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. has been bumped up into the top five.
The reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles are on the clock!
