For good reason, we need to go into a bit of detective mode when evaluating pre-draft news conferences.<\/p>\n
Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach spoke to reporters Thursday, and as expected, he was guarded with his words. It makes sense; if Veach reveals too much, he risks losing leverage with other NFL teams that might be looking to trade up or back during next week\u2019s draft.<\/p>\n
That doesn\u2019t mean Veach said nothing, though. Here are five hints Veach dropped Thursday that offer some insight into how the Chiefs will approach the draft.<\/p>\n
1. Could the Chiefs wait for an edge rusher?<\/p>\n
So much of what the Chiefs do with the No. 9 pick will be determined by what other teams do in front of them.<\/p>\n
However, Veach offered optimism they could find an edge rusher later in the draft if things fell that way.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think D-end is solid through (rounds) 2, 2 1\/2, maybe even 3,\u201d Veach said.<\/p>\n
The Chiefs have been linked often with Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. at No. 9, and he certainly could come into play in that spot.<\/p>\n
That choice wouldn\u2019t be in a vacuum, though. Veach estimated 12 defensive ends visited the team\u2019s facility for top-30 visits, as the Chiefs sought extensive evaluations of players with similar scouting grades.<\/p>\n
It doesn\u2019t rule out K.C.\u2019s going for a Bain or David Bailey of Texas Tech. But it also suggests the Chiefs seem prepared to address this position later in the draft if the board takes them in that direction.<\/p>\n
2. The reality at offensive tackle<\/p>\n
Though Veach didn\u2019t completely rule out taking an offensive tackle at No. 9, he seemed to indicate the Chiefs would be much more likely to target a player at that position with their 29th pick.<\/p>\n
Specifically, Veach anticipated there could be a \u201cmassive run\u201d on offensive tackles between the 10th pick and the early second round.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s some talent there, but I do think it dries up quickly,\u201d Veach said of the offensive tackles, \u201cand by (pick) 35, it could be slim pickings.\u201d<\/p>\n
We can\u2019t rule out the Chiefs trading back from No. 29 \u2014 the early second round seems to be a strong area of depth for this draft \u2014 but if Veach is going to select an offensive tackle, the late first\/early second round seems like the sweet spot.<\/p>\n
3. An option we can\u2019t rule out\u00a0at No. 9<\/p>\n
Veach was asked a separate question about signing free-agent safety Alohi Gilman, when he might\u2019ve tipped his hand about the Chiefs\u2019 thoughts on another player.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith Alohi, just having, over the years, having a Tyrann Mathieu, then having a Justin Reid, just having a cerebral player there that sees the field, can be a leader back there, get everyone lined up. We lost Bryan Cook, too,\u201d Veach said of his team\u2019s safety position. \u201cAnd look, it doesn\u2019t mean we won\u2019t add if we can get a similar player that has those leadership capabilities back there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Who best fits the description of that last sentence? Most likely Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, who is considered a top-10 pick but could fall to the Chiefs at No. 9.<\/p>\n
The Chiefs have bigger positional needs than safety \u2014 defensive end, receiver and defensive tackle are a few \u2014 but, in general, on Thursday, Veach didn\u2019t rule out the possibility of taking a non-premium position early.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think our goal is to just make that selection and add a player here that is going to be an impact player on our team,\u201d Veach said. \u201cAnd I know it\u2019s cliche-ish, but to really just add the best player available, right? You hear that all the time. But I don\u2019t want to overthink that, and I don\u2019t want to take a lesser player. Just someone that\u2019s going to come in here, be an impact player, help us from day one. I think that\u2019s extremely important to us.\u201d<\/p>\n
4. A Veach prediction, and what it might mean<\/p>\n
Veach says one positive he sees from first-round player grades being so close this season is that \u201cthe fans will be in for a treat next Thursday.\u201d<\/p>\n
The reason? Veach thinks this tight grouping of prospects up top will lead to more trades.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it should be an entertaining night, and look, there\u2019ll probably be a lot of trades, and I think that\u2019s what a draft like this \u2014 when you don\u2019t have two or three franchise quarterbacks and a (top-of-the-draft edge rusher like) Will Anderson or Myles Garrett \u2014 I think it does lend itself to open up to a lot of fun, a lot of excitement,\u201d Veach said. \u201cSo I think, from a fan\u2019s perspective, they should have a lot of fun next Thursday.\u201d<\/p>\n
What Veach didn\u2019t say, but is probably true? If he\u2019s anticipating a lot of trades, it\u2019s likely because he has received quite a few calls from teams looking to navigate up or down the draft board.<\/p>\n
The Chiefs \u2014 picking ninth this year as opposed to the end of the first round like so many others \u2014 should have the potential to get more creative this year on deals than they might\u2019ve been in the past.<\/p>\n
5. The \u2018pockets,\u2019 as the Chiefs see them<\/p>\n
When Veach was asked to describe the position depth of this year\u2019s draft, he spoke highly of defensive end and wide receiver.<\/p>\n
At edge rusher, Veach said the team saw talented players \u201cthroughout the board.\u201d The wideout group, meanwhile, includes some strong prospects through the middle rounds.<\/p>\n
In addition, cornerbacks had \u201cmoderate\u201d depth throughout the draft, Veach said, with a few good ones sprinkled in each round. The overall running backs group was thin.<\/p>\n