The Kansas City Chiefs face a number of question marks heading into the scouting combine in Indianapolis. Here are some possible answers.
The Kansas City Chiefs have some major decisions ahead of them. Not only do they have to decide how to apply the franchise tag, if at all, regarding their two biggest free agents in Dontari Poe and Eric Berry, but rumors about a potential Tony Romo acquisition continue to surface. Maybe bigger, is the issue wit the pass rush. Tamba Hali declined in 2016. Justin Houston and struggled with injuries. We’re talking about the outside linebackers and the combine on Friday’s Locked on Chiefs.
With the combine set to begin next week, the Chiefs have several spots that could be filled with high-end draft picks. Several other positions on the roster could be fortified with quality depth that also bring some upside. The free agency results will only change the needs more.
There are a number of players who could be scheme fits or an athletic fit for the Chiefs. The combine will confirm the athleticism of some key prospects and demonstrate it in a measurable way that should catch John Dorsey’s eye. Here’s a group to watch as the combine begins.
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Dan Feeney and Forrest Lamp
Dan Feeney and Forrest Lamp both appear to be a late first day or early second day selections at a position that can help the Chiefs. If the Chiefs don’t have a skilled position target on the board at number #27, one of these players could represent value in the first round.
Feeney has demonstrated good but not great strength and a nasty streak while blocking during his college career. He’s played against quality competition and would be able to compete for a starting role instantly. Lamp is also athletic and fits the mold the Chiefs seem to like. He would be another lineman moving from tackle to the inside in the NFL, joining Mitch Morse and Parker Ehinger in making that transition. Both need to show fluidity and strength at the combine to improve their grade.
Zach Cunningham and Jarrad Davis
Zach Cunningham and Jarrad Davis are both effective college linebackers. They have somewhat different skill sets, but there is enough in common with what the Chiefs like to use at their inside linebacker positions.
Cunningham is very reminiscent of Derrick Johnson. He is an extremely athletic and well-built linebacker who is best slipping rather than taking on blocks. He would be a natural fit at DJ’s WILB position.
Davis is athletic in his own right. He doesn’t have quite the speed and coverage skills of Cunningham, but he’s more aggressive with better instincts in the run game. Both could step in and play in the Chiefs base defense as rookies.
Both players need to show agility in linebacker drills, good speed and clear medicals at the combine. If they can, you can watch for either player to be taken in the first or second rounds.
Jamaal Williams and John Ross
Offensive playmakers are still in high demand for Andy Reid’s unit. The emergence of Tyreek Hill shows what athletic talents can do even as a rookie.
John Ross fits into the mold that Reid found in DeSean Jackson in Philadelphia. Slight of build but displaying speed to rival Tyreek Hill, Ross will need a clear physical and solid agility testing scores to remain a low first round draft pick. His stock will slide to the second day if he misses the mark in either category. Reid and Dorsey might be very tempted to take him at a place they see as value.
Jamaal Williams is a dynamic back with good all-around skills that should be a mid-to-late round selection. On film, he has made progress in his pass protection as well as his pass routes. He did run track at BYU and has lateral agility as well. At the combine, if he can show better speed than he does on film and solid catching ability, he could be an attractive addition to the Chiefs backfield in later rounds.
Elijah Qualls and Derrick Rivers
Elijah Qualls and Derek Rivers are two players that the Chiefs defensive scheme can use straight out of the box.
Qualls has played in an eerily similar scheme at the University of Washington and can apply those skills directly to the Chiefs defense. At 320 pounds, he can sustain double teams as well as split them from an inside zero or one technique. He also shows flashes of pass rush ability when the Huskies go to a nickel front and he lines up as a three technique. If he tests well in explosiveness, power, and agility he could rise from what is currently considered a possible third round selection period. If he proves to be an athletic comparison to Dontari Poe, he could become a target for the Chiefs.
Rivers would go through a position change as he played 4-3 defensive end at Youngstown State. Long and lanky, with a solid first step, good strength to hold the edge and speed to turn the corner, Rivers could become a situational pass rusher early as a rookie. At the combine, he’ll need to show strength and explosion to match what is on film. If he can show bend and increase his agility as well, Rivers will move up from the middle rounds to become a day two selection (or possibly beyond). The Chiefs could use his skills to bolster the current passrush.
It will be a big week for all of these players. Who else are you eager to see addicts?