2018 NFL Draft: Edge prospects for the Chiefs in Round 2

As the Chiefs prepare for the 2018 NFL Draft, here are five edge prospects for the team to consider grabbing with their first pick in the second round.

Draft season is my favorite time of the year. It feels so much like Christmas, and dreaming of what the Kansas City Chiefs might leave us under the tree is a great way to kill the lull of the offseason. I have compiled a list of prospects and a summary of them, I suppose you could think of this as my Christmas wish list to Santa.

I want to add the caveat that I am evaluating talent that I believe will be there when the Chiefs pick in round 2. It is difficult to predict exactly who will be left when it comes time for the Chiefs to draft at No. 54 overall, but I gave it my best shot.

Please note that the games I list as “signature” are not meant to be a prospect’s best games, but instead a game that summarizes the prospects strengths and weaknesses well.

So, without further ado, here are my top 5 Edge prospects for the Chiefs in round 2.

Sam Hubbard, OLB, Ohio State

What I love: Sam Hubbard is a polarizing prospect, and it’s very likely that he ends up being a first round pick. He has great measurable: 6’5 and 265 pounds. He was also a very productive member of Ohio State’s defense, chipping in 7 sacks and a whopping 13.5 tackles for a loss. Hubbard uses his length to keep defenders at bay. His hand usage is far above anyone else in this class, Tamba Hali would be proud. Hubbard has a non-stop motor. Very developed against the run, and will get a solid amount of clean up sacks because of his motor.

What needs improvement: The biggest knock on Hubbard is his limited athleticism. Sam Hubbard is not going to wow you with agility or straight line speed. He plays a little stiffer than most would like, and he lacks the ideal bend that elite pass rushers have around the edge. He has average burst off the line, and will miss out on some plays due to lack of closing speed.

The verdict: Sam Hubbard would be an excellent fit across from Justin Houston. In many ways, Hubbard’s game reminds me of Tamba Hali. Neither possess great speed or elite athleticism, but their high motor and excellent use of hands and leverage allows them to set the edge. Hubbard will likely be better against the run than the pass his first two years, but there is hope that with the proper coaching and an NFL weight room he can sniff double digit sacks. Hubbard isn’t flashy, but he’s the type of player that will be in the NFL for multiple years as a productive starter on the edge.

Signature game: Vs. Michigan, 2017