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Chiefs ignore problematic position for Patrick Mahomes in mock draft

For most, the Kansas City Chiefs' selection with the ninth overall pick is a rather easy one to predict.

However, as we know, with the draft, it is anything but a guarantee.

Teams chop and change their minds, trades happen, and everything in between.

Given the Chiefs' need for a running back, Jeremiyah Love has been mocked to Kansas City in several drafts, but for ESPN's Jordan Reid, in his mock, Love goes to the New Orleans Saints with the eighth pick.

And that forces the Chiefs to pivot, to stud Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate.

"The Chiefs desperately need to give Patrick Mahomes a receiver who can consistently beat man-to-man coverage," Reid wrote. "Tate is a silky-smooth route runner who has plenty of range as a pass catcher. He also has arguably the best hands in this class, with only one drop on 67 targets last season.

"He is a three-level threat who displays his polish on all branches of the route tree. While he wasn't as productive in college, Tate reminds me of DeVonta Smith in body type and how they win routes and could be a similar high-end No. 2 receiver in the NFL."

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Chiefs need weapons for Mahomes

Yes, running back is a key area of need for the Chiefs, but they can address that in free agency, with say, Travis Etienne.

But if Love is available, I have a hard time believing the Chiefs won't select him. But in Tate, Mahomes gets a surefire stud to help prop up the receiver room.

With Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy as the top weapons, along with potentially Travis Kelce, adding Tate, who at 6'2 and 192 lbs, could be a matchup nightmare for defenses.

Able to get good separation from the jump, a quarterback like Mahomes could find Tate easy to play with as the young receiver gets open for fun.

Yes, Love would be a good selection, but Tate is a great alternative.

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