2017 NFL Draft: 5 intriguing prospects from the Chiefs local pro day
By Matt Conner
Dalton Parks is a seasoned punter from the Kansas City area who has impressed during his collegiate career at Tulsa. Parks is among the American Athletic Conference’s all-time punting leaders, including 3rd in total yardage and attempts and 5th in punting average at 41.7 yards/punt. Last season, Parks averaged 41.8 yards on 64 punts and he enters the NFL with loads of experience with 269 career punts, a four-year starter at Tulsa. At 6-3, 209 lbs., Parks also has impressive size.
The Chiefs face an interesting scenario with their current punting situation, given that they have the highest paid punter in the game in Dustin Colquitt. For a team against the salary cap parameters, it’s odd that John Dorsey wouldn’t look to save money at a position where it’d be easy to go with a youth movement, so to speak. At the same time, field position and minimizing mistakes are such key parts of the Chiefs strategy and Colquitt’s abilities are perfectly suited to help them in those endeavors.
That said, Colquitt’s price tag is nearing $5 million. When you consider a rookie drafted in the seventh round will make half that amount over the course of four years, it’s at least something to consider. Whether that replacement is Parks or someone else, the Chiefs could decide to save money at some point.