2017 NFL Draft: 8 players Chiefs could target in first round
By John McCarty
Who should the Kansas City Chiefs be targeting in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft? Here are some names to consider.
In this column, I’m exploring some players that Chiefs fans could and should keep an eye on for the upcoming 2017 NFL Draft. I have spent time trying as best I can to evaluate the prospects based on a combination of need, positional value, scheme fit, and draft position. Obviously we’d love to see Jabrill Peppers or Myles Garrett in Chiefs’ red next season, but that is highly unlikely to happen.
We also have to give credit here to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report and Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network, whose work I read tirelessly to learn about undervalued prospects. In some cases, they either validated what I already believed or made me re-think my stance. Definitely check out their work.
So who might be a fit in the 20s (or 30s)? Let’s run them down…
Mitch Trubisky, QB, North Carolina (6-foot-3, 220 pounds, RS Junior)
The Chiefs will likely have to make a decision this offseason about the future of the quarterback position. Either they will move on from Alex Smith or commit to him for the foreseeable future with a new contract.
This is the first season for Trubisky as a starter after spending the past two seasons as a backup to since-graduated Marquis Williams. Taking the reins, all Trubisky has done is season is lead the Tar Heels to a 5-2 record while posting a 70 percent completion rate, 15 touchdowns (two interceptions) and 2,068 passing yards.
In terms of strengths, Trubisky is an athletic, relaxed quarterback in the pocket. He possesses an accurate and fairly strong arm, and the offense being run at North Carolina appears to be very similar to the offense run here in KC. He has experience both under center and in the shotgun, running both traditional and read-option offenses. He’s also, in a short period of time, faced various defenses and opponents.
This season, North Carolina has faced opponents such as Georgia, Florida State, Miami (FL), Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech and Illinois. His worst game (both interceptions) came in the game against Virginia Tech during the hurricane weekend.
Concerns about Trubisky center mainly around his lack of starting experience. Entering his first season as a full starter, Trubisky has looked good and solid in every game save for Virginia Tech. While limited playing experience wasn’t a huge issue with Cardale Jones last year, he obviously was not discussed as a first-round selection like Trubisky currently is.
Each game for the remainder of the season looms large in terms of showing development and feel. However, unless the word gets out on how to stop him and you see his game fall off the cliff, there’s a lot to like about his potential.