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2017 NFL Draft: Offensive crushes for the Kansas City Chiefs

By Lyle Graversen

Nov 26, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee running back Alvin Kamara (6) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amy Smotherman Burgess/Knoxville News Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK
Nov 26, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee running back Alvin Kamara (6) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a touchdown during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amy Smotherman Burgess/Knoxville News Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Oct 10, 2015; Toledo, OH, USA; Toledo Rockets tight end Michael Roberts (80) celebrates after the game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Glass Bowl. The Rockets won 38-7. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2015; Toledo, OH, USA; Toledo Rockets tight end Michael Roberts (80) celebrates after the game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Glass Bowl. The Rockets won 38-7. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /

Michael Roberts – Tight End – Toledo

I almost ended this post with George Kittle, but I really do have a draft crush on Michael Roberts as well. While all the reasons for wanting the Chiefs to draft a number two tight end in this draft are obviously the same here, Kittle and Roberts are very different players. The biggest difference is that Roberts is massive. He weighed in at the combine at 6-foot-4 (the same as Kittle) and 270 pounds (23 pounds heavier than Kittle). While he is clearly much bulkier than Kittle he does still show some athleticism. He ran a 4.86 forty yard dash. While that’s not near what the top tight ends ran, it is still a good time for a guy his size. More impressive was his 7.05 three cone drill time. That’s a drill that many feel shows a players agility and it was one of the better times for tight ends this year.

Besides his size the other thing I love about Roberts is that he has surprisingly good hands. You don’t think of 270 pound tight ends as guys with natural hands but Roberts is actually one of the best that I have seen. He almost never lets the ball get into his body but instead snags it with his hands out in front of him. When you combine his massive body with those quality hands and you can see why he was such a major red zone target for Toledo. Roberts totaled 16 touchdowns in 2016 alone.

Now, Roberts isn’t the tenacious blocker that Kittle is, but he does make an effort. When you combine his size and the competition he faced at Toledo you can understand why Pro Football Focus has him as the 5th highest graded run blocker over the past three years in this draft class. If the Chiefs were to land him in the mid rounds to pair with starter Travis Kelce I would be absolutely thrilled.

So what do you think Chiefs fans? Are you a fan of any of my offensive draft crushes for the 2017 draft or do you think my love of these guys has blinded me to their flaws? Who are your draft crushes on offense this year? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. I’ll be back next week with my defensive draft crushes.

Until then, thanks for reading and GO CHIEFS!!!!!!!!

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