2019 NFL Draft: Chase Winovich could replace departed Chiefs stars

3 of 3

ANN ARBOR, MI – SEPTEMBER 15: Xavier Jones #5 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs tries to escape the tackle of Chase Winovich #15 of the Michigan Wolverines during a second half run on September 15, 2018 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 45-20. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

WEAKNESSES

With every NFL hopeful, there are some areas to improve upon. There’s no such thing as a perfect prospect, and Winovich has a couple of areas that keep him from being that elite talent. One of those areas is his burst and explosiveness from the snap. Unlike Dee Ford, Winovich doesn’t have that explosive first step that gives him an advantage over offensive tackles.

More from Arrowhead Addict

He’s also not the best defender when it comes to change of direction and covering in space. Given the NFL’s transition on offense to spread out the defense and utilize the running backs in space, this could be an area that Winovich struggles.

Faster running backs at the next level could give him trouble when it comes to chasing to the boundary. However, he does a good job of recognizing screen plays as they develop and positions himself nicely to disrupt the play. It will likely be the running backs that catch the ball in the flat or use their speed to get to the outside that will give him trouble.

HOW DOES HE FIT WITH THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

After losing both Houston and Ford this off-season, the Chiefs are in need of some bodies at the Edge position. Spagnuolo likes to rotate his defensive linemen to keep them fresh considering he doesn’t normally work with a great number of top-end talent along the defensive line like we saw last season in Kansas City.

While Winovich might not fit the size profile that Spagnuolo has shown to prefer at the defensive end position, he’s a defender that can play against both the run and the pass. The Chiefs have made it a point to attack the run first on the defensive line with the signing of Alex Okafor. Winovich could be another solid contributor along the defensive line that sets the edge well and can also rush the passer.

Winovich might not become one of the next elite pass rushers in the NFL, but finding EDGE players that can play both the run and the pass well is hard to come by. He looks like a high floor player that has multiple traits that could be built upon. Given that he already has a number of pass rushing moves and great instincts, I could see him being an above average defensive end in the NFL.

When it comes to where he will go in the draft, Winovich looks like an early-to-mid second round selection. In most drafts, he would likely be a first round pick, but there are too many pass rushers that show the ability to become elite in 2019. He’s right between that first and second tier of EDGE players in this class, in my opinion. Kansas City would do well to move up in the second round to grab a guy like Winovich who could contribute in an early rotation despite head coach Andy Reid‘s willingness to play rookies.

Home/Kansas City Chiefs Draft