Chiefs draft grades: Todd McShay says Kareem Hunt is Kansas City’s best pick
By Matt Conner
ESPN’s Todd McShay praised the Kansas City Chiefs for their selection of running back Kareem Hunt in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Todd McShay passed over the Kansas City Chiefs’ biggest move of draft weekend: the trade up to No. 10 overall to secure the rights to draft Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Instead the ESPN analyst said he’s more impressed by the Chiefs selection of Kareem Hunt, a running back from Toledo, in the third round. That’s the pick he claims is the team’s best from the three-day draft weekend. He writes:
"The Chiefs traded up to get Hunt, but it was their biggest need entering the draft and Hunt is a really complete back. With a thick lower body, Hunt creates a bunch of yards on his own, regularly bouncing off tackles. He also has the agility to make defenders miss, and coach Andy Reid will find a way to utilize that skill set by getting him in space in the passing game. Hunt lacks top-end speed, but he’s otherwise a really complete player."
More from Arrowhead Addict
- Multiple Chiefs execs mentioned as strong GM candidates in 2024
- Former Chiefs cornerback in legal trouble in Las Vegas
- Chiefs Kingdom: Get ready to break contract news
- Chiefs news: Travis Kelce wants to host fan ‘chug-off’ in Germany
- Podcast: Breaking down the Chiefs biggest roster battles
General manager John Dorsey praised these same traits after the draft, specifically pointing again and again to Hunt’s “contact balance.” That’s what McShay is referring to when he says he can continue to bounce and gain yards even after contact. Hunt’s running style should work well in tandem with Spencer Ware to give the Chiefs a nice punch in the backfield, and his pass catching should also force defenses to respect Hunt’s complete game. Andy Reid will certainly look to utilize that to keep defenses closer than they might want to be with Tyreek Hill also on the field and lined up outside.
Hunt had 1,475 rushing yards last season for Toledo, including 10 touchdowns. Hunt rushed for 44 touchdowns in his collegiate career.