Kansas City Chiefs' 2016 Draft Selection of Defensive Tackle Involved Debate and Trade

Draft Room Debate

Nearly 10 years ago, a significant discussion took place in the Kansas City Chiefs' draft room prior to the 2016 NFL draft.

An area scout recalled a major argument among staff about potential defensive line picks. The debate focused on needing more depth on the defensive line. Most in the room favored a defensive tackle from Ole Miss over the one from Mississippi State.

Trade and Selection Based

on the debate, the general manager traded the Chiefs' 28th pick to the San Francisco 49ers, moving out of the first round to gain additional selections, including the 37th pick.

The next day, the Chiefs used that pick to select the defensive tackle from Mississippi State. Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals chose the Ole Miss player with the 29th pick. In his five-year career, the Ole Miss player played in just 38 games, recording 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one touchdown.

In contrast, the Mississippi State player has played 10 seasons with the Chiefs, earning three Super Bowl championships, seven Pro Bowl selections, and six All-Pro honors.

Background and Impact

The area scout, responsible for evaluating Southeast college players in 2016, identified the Mississippi State prospect's potential due to his size and pass-rushing ability.

This evaluation influenced the team's decisions. The 2016 trade also positioned the Chiefs for a 2017 draft move to select quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The player's contributions have helped the Chiefs become Super Bowl contenders.

The team has maintained a strong defensive line since the selection.