The Kansas City Chiefs did their best to plug any holes from last year’s 12-5 squad during the NFL Draft, keeping them among the Super Bowl favorites.
The Chiefs, who have made the playoffs in seven straight seasons under legendary coach Andy Reid, managed to land a pair of first-round picks during this year’s draft.
The team’s two first rounders, in Washington cornerback Trent McDuffie and Purdue defensive end George Karlaftis, fit an established franchise pattern.
Both McDuffie and Karlaftis can add to a lengthy legacy at their respective positions to be taken in the first round by the Chiefs dating back to 1966, while Western Michigan receiver Skyy Moore adds an explosive element to the team’s passing game as a second-round selection.
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Chiefs History With Cornerbacks in First Round
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McDuffie, taken with the 21st pick, should allow the Chiefs to get younger at the cornerback position, replacing outgoing starter Charvarius Ward, who KC lost during free agency.
It’s also the second time the Chiefs have picked a Washington Husky CB in the draft, last doing so in 2015 with Marcus Peters, who KC grabbed with the 18th pick of that year’s draft.
As for cornerbacks, McDuffie joins a list that includes Peters (2015), Eric Berry (2010), Jerome Woods (1996), Dale Carter (1992), Gary Green (1977), and Jim Marsalis (1969).
Here’s a breakdown of the Chiefs’ draft picks in 2022.
Chiefs History With Defensive Ends in First Round
Karlatis, taken with the 30th pick, becomes the first defensive end to be chosen by the Chiefs in the opening round since Tyson Jackson, who was the third overall pick in 2009.
Before that, Kansas City picked defensive ends Tamba Hall (2006), Neil Smith (1988), Mike Bell (1979), Art Still (1978), Gene Trosch (1967) and Aaron Brown (1966) in the first round of their respective draft classes.
Who the Chiefs Picked in the 2022 NFL Draft
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The Chiefs added 10 players overall in the seven-round 2022 draft, including three cornerbacks and two safeties.
Chiefs Among Super Bowl LVII Favorites After Draft
The Chiefs are in the consensus top 5 as a Super Bowl favorite behind the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, tied with the defending champion L.A. Rams and Green Bay Packers.
But with no Missouri sports betting, Kansas City fans will have to go to neighboring states Illinois, Arkansas, Iowa and soon Kansas to place those wagers.
The state's sports betting bill, HB 2502, which cleared the House by a 115-33 margin March 24, is in serious danger after Republican Sen. Danny Hoskins and other members of the upper chamber protested the bill’s failure to add video lottery terminals into the legislation.
Kansas City is +1000 to win the Super Bowl and +160 to win the AFC West.
It appears Patrick Mahomes and company are in good shape to contend for the franchise’s second Super Bowl in the last half-decade come 2022.
