2017 NFL Draft: Miami DB Adrian Colbert a good fit for Chiefs

John Dorsey and the Chiefs personnel staff have a specific profile they look for in defensive backs. Adrian Colbert fits that profile.

The Kansas City Chiefs under John Dorsey have been successful bringing athletic developmental players onto the roster in the secondary. Several late-round picks who were waived from their original team have contributed in Kansas City. They include Ron Parker, Marcus Cooper and most recently Terrance Mitchell. All three of these players were drafted late or signed as an undrafted free agent and all have contributed to the Reid/Dorsey era in Kansas City.

The challenge of the NFL Draft is finding talented athletes that fit the team’s needs in each round. In searching for day 3 NFL Draft prospects that fit the mold the Chiefs are looking for, Adrian Colbert stood out. We have an exclusive interview with him today on the Locked on Chiefs podcast.

Who could be the next late-round defensive back to fit the Chiefs?

To be honest, I was not aware of Colbert as a corner until I saw a tweet from Mike Mayock. While watching film on the smallish Corn Elder and big free safety Rayshawn Jenkins, Mayock said he found Colbert making plays. The tall, long cornerback is hard to miss on film, bring coverage skills and a hard-hitting presence to the field. Yet, in a secondary with talent, he is a prospect that could easily be overlooked.

Colbert is a classic height-weight-speed prospect that played an extensive college career despite a history of nagging injuries. The six-foot-two, 200-pound defensive back played for the University of Texas at safety. As a graduate, he transferred to the University of Miami to play under his old coach from Texas. At the same time, he changed positions to play cornerback for the Hurricanes.

That change paid off as Colbert had the best production of his career despite playing alongside DB prospects Elder and Jenkins. Already comfortable playing in zones schemes due to his experience at safety, he took to man and press-man coverage quickly and became productive as a cornerback. Here he shows awareness and some balls skill for the pass breakup.

As I follow up on more of Colbert’s film from his one season at Miami, I see player John Dorsey, Bob Sutton and Al Harris would like to have. Colbert shows good strength and reaction in the press. He is able to turn his hips and run with outside receivers. He plays the screens with aggression and solid tackling it is very reminiscent of Marcus Peters. In college, the only current Chiefs players that had more plays behind the line of scrimmage than Colbert did are Barry, Peters and Phillip Gaines.

Only one big question remains for Colbert as a draft prospect. Does he have the long speed and agility to play at the next level? He’ll be looking to prove he does tomorrow, March 29th at the University of Miami pro day. Rumors are that he will run in the 4.4s or possibly better. Scoring well in the testing at Miami’s pro day will solidify his stock as a day three selection based on his athleticism and experience.

“I’m prepared for any drill that any scout or coach throws at me” – Adrian Colbert, Miami DB

Colbert is a player that could thrive in the Kansas City Chiefs defensive scheme. He has the versatility to play all over the secondary and can contribute on special teams. He can become a homegrown version of Ron Parker or Terrance Mitchell; a player selected late based on potential and allowed to grow. The Chiefs have had success with this type of player in the past but have always picked them up after another team cast them off.

Why not select a player like this late and be able to train him from the start within the Chiefs defensive scheme? With versatile defensive backs in demand, it would be a prudent move. Players of his physicality are coveted across the league and may not be as available off waivers as they have been in seasons past.

The Kansas City Chiefs can get ahead of the game with smart late-round selections. Colbert is an under-the-radar prospect they should look at on draft day.