Although it is a long off-season for the NFL, get a taste of the 2017 season with the NFL draft kicking off this Thursday. The Kansas City Royals are still trying to find their rhythm.
NFL Draft
The best college football players are heading to Philadelphia for the long awaited 2017 NFL draft. The first round of the draft is set for 7 p.m. on Thursday, followed by rounds two and three on Friday at 6 p.m. and rounds four through seven at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
According to ESPN NFL draft experts Mel Kiper and Todd McShay, both have the same projected first pick of the draft. The Cleveland Browns are predicted to take Myles Garrett out of Texas A&M first overall. However, Garrett has recently been taking criticism for laziness and taking plays off.
As for the Kansas City Chiefs, they have the 27th pick in this year’s draft. In 2016, the Chiefs used their first two picks on defensive players in Chris Jones, a defensive tackle from Mississippi State, and KeiVarae Russell, a defensive back out of Notre Dame.
Kristopher Knox, an NFL columnist from Bleacher Report, predicts that yet again, the Chiefs will select a defensive player. Knox sees Kansas City taking Takkarist McKinley, a linebacker out of UCLA.
Other notable players, particularly running backs, within the draft include Leonard Fournette out of LSU, who is predicted as a top-10 pick. Christian McCaffrey from Stanford is predicted to be picked in the top 15. Dalvin Cook out of Florida State is projected as a top-20 pick. Both Fournette and McCaffrey sat out their final college bowl game to be completely healthy for the NFL draft.
Former K-State defensive end Jordan Willis is expected to keep the Wildcats’ streak of 23-straight drafts with a player selected going. Willis is expected to be a first or second round pick.
Kansas City Royals
The Royals continue to look streaky as their season progresses, coming off four straight losses to the Texas Rangers. Despite their current losing streak, Kansas City won five of their six games prior.
Although the Royals currently sit at the bottom of the AL Central at 7-11, they will have an opportunity to gain some ground if they can pick up some momentum against the Chicago White Sox. Danny Duffy will look to keep his undefeated season alive tonight to take him to 3-0 on the season.
Their first of a three-game series hit off Monday against the White Sox. They have their second game of the series tonight at 7:10, followed by a game at 1:10 p.m. on Wednesday.
