Mock Draft Round-Up 5.0: Who do the Experts Have the Chiefs Taking in the First Round?

Here’s a look at who is projected to the Chiefs in the latest mock drafts

Apr 10, 2020 at 09:56 AM

Matt McMullen

Chiefs Reporter

The 2020 NFL Draft is right around the corner, so as we've done every Friday for the last five weeks, let's take a look at who the experts from around the web have the Chiefs taking in the first round on April 23.

And in this week's edition of Mock Draft Round-Up, cornerback was popular as ever.

Both USA Today and CBS Sports have the Chiefs selecting Auburn cornerback Noah Igbinoghene with the No. 32 overall pick, who has been projected to Kansas City multiple times over the last several weeks.

As noted in previous editions of Mock Draft Round-Up, Igbinoghene was originally a wide receiver for the Tigers before switching over to defense prior to the 2018 season. He's still relatively new to the position, but his athleticism and ability – not to mention his value on special teams as a return man – make him a guy to watch on draft day.

Here's what USA Today's Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz had to say about the projection:

"A late bloomer, Igbinoghene stands to be the beneficiary of a heavy demand for cornerbacks among teams in the late first and early second rounds."

Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report also believes Kansas City will select a cornerback, although he went with former Alabama defensive back Trevon Diggs. The younger brother of Buffalo Bills' wide receiver Stefon Diggs, the six-foot-one, 205-pound Trevon earned Third-Team All-America honors in 2019.

Sports Illustrated analyst Kevin Hanson, meanwhile, also identified a cornerback for Kansas City at No. 32 in Clemson’s A.J. Terrell. The six-foot-one, 195-pound Terrell earned First-Team All-ACC honors last season with six pass-breakups and two interceptions.

Here's a portion of Hanson's analysis:

"…Terrell is a long and athletic corner that would help address one of the team's bigger needs."

Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell intercepts a pass for a touchdown during the first half the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Alabama, Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Elsewhere, the Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer has the Chiefs selecting TCU cornerback Jeff Gladney in the first round. Iyer has stuck with this pick through much of the offseason, citing Gladney as a solid addition to Kansas City's defense. A four-year starter for the Horned Frogs, Gladney led the Big 12 in pass break-ups as a senior in 2019 while registering 31 tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss and an interception.

Lastly, the final mock included in this week's round-up – compiled by NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah - ventured away from corner and instead slotted Michigan interior offensive line prospect Cesar Ruiz to the Chiefs.

The versatile Ruiz, who saw action as a starter in all three of his seasons with the Wolverines, possesses the ability to play either guard or center at the next level, according to NFL.com's Lance Zierlein.

Check back next week as we run through the latest series of mock drafts to hit the web.