Photo by Jacob Noger W/ UK Athletics
Most NFL draft junkies love mock drafts that are put out by media across the country. And why wouldn’t they? Mock drafts can be fun and bring excitement to the annual three-day event for America’s most popular sport. However, that’s all they are: pure speculation and irrational excitement. A majority of mock drafts are similar to college basketball brackets, as they’re regularly incorrect. Former Kentucky Wildcat and consensus All-American Darian Kinnard is a perfect example of just how wrong NFL mock drafts can be.
Kinnard was projected as early as the first round in some mock drafts that were released just a month or two ago. The latest “experts” had predicted him to go were Friday’s second or third rounds. However, Kinnard made it to Saturday before hearing his name called in the fifth round as the 145th overall pick. And, honestly, it may be a blessing in disguise.
The star left tackle was chosen by the Kansas City Chiefs, a team just two seasons removed from a Super Bowl championship and one year removed from having their offensive line fall apart in a Super Bowl loss. They also have arguably the best player in the National Football League, Patrick Mahomes, and one of the best veteran head coaches in Andy Reid.
Kinnard will have the chance to step in and immediately improve Kansas City’s offensive line. As currently constructed, the Chiefs have a pro-bowl left tackle in Orlando Brown Jr., a former second-team All-Pro left guard in Joe Thuney and rising star in second-year right guard Trey Smith. However, the right tackle part of their o-line isn’t as stable. ESPN currently has Kinnard listed as the third-string right guard, but starting right tackle Lucas Niang had a bumpy season a year ago and that could open the door for Kinnard to work his way into a starting role.
The former Wildcat began his career with Kentucky at left tackle during his freshman season, but switched to right tackle in 2019 and started every game for the next three seasons. Kinnard was the anchor of Kentucky’s Big Blue Wall that was recognized as a finalist for the Joe Moore Award (best offensive line in college football). Following such a dominant season, most couldn’t believe he had slipped all the way to the fifth round. While it may have been later than Kinnard had hoped, hearing his name called in the NFL draft and blocking for Patrick Mahomes has to be a dream come true.
