NFL Draft 2017: Chiefs check out North Dakota State pro day
By Matt Conner
The Kansas City Chiefs were among 10 teams checking out the pro hopefuls at North Dakota State University’s pro day this week.
North Dakota State University isn’t as hot of a draft pipeline in 2017 as it was just a season ago, when quarterback Carson Wentz was potentially in play as the top overall prospect in the NFL Draft. That said, plenty of teams were still on hand to witness this year’s pro day, including the Kansas City Chiefs. Per Jeff Kolpack of InForum.com:
"The teams represented were the Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers and the Jacksonville Jaguars."
The Chiefs and other teams were primarily looking at offensive lineman Zach Johnson, who is the only prospect listed among NFL.com’s 2017 draft tracker. Johnson is a two-time All-American guard who is listed at 6-4, 317 pounds. Johnson also turned heads after playing at this year’s East-West Shrine Game.
#ShrineGame Day 2 Practice "Winners": #USC TE McNamara, NDSt OG Johnson, #Missouri CB Penton, #Arkansas DE Wise and #AirForce WR Robinette.
— Eric Galko (@EricGalko) January 17, 2017
There is a visible difference in West pass protection when NDSU LG Zach Johnson is in. When he's out, pocket time goes way down #shrinegame
— Jeff Risdon (@JeffRisdon) January 18, 2017
Despite the praise, Johnson is often projected as a 7th round pick or undrafted free agent for the upcoming NFL Draft. Then again, all it takes is one team to fall in love with a prospect.