The Kansas City Chiefs sent reps to check out the many prospects on display at Utah State’s pro day. They likely were scouting for offense.
The word was out about Utah State’s pro day. It’s the reason why 28 different teams sent scouts or representatives to check out the 17 NFL hopefuls on display, young men anxious to fulfill their long-term dreams of playing professional football.
The Kansas City Chiefs were one such team checking out the Aggies, or former Aggies, and most eyes were likely upon the potential offensive additions to rosters come draft weekend.
More from Arrowhead Addict
- 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
- KC Chiefs send Dave Merritt to NFL coaching accelerator
The most heralded athletes making the leap to the pros are running back Darwin Thompson and tight end Dax Raymond.
Thompson stood 5’8, 190 lbs., and reports on his time in the 40-yard dash indicate either 4.47 seconds or 4.50 seconds. That’s not a burner for his diminutive size, but Thompson also led all prospects (yes, from every position) in the bench press with 28 reps, displaying impressive strength for a back.
Last year, Thompson rushed for 1,044 on 153 carries for 14 touchdowns. That’s good for a 6.8 yards/carry average in his only season at the FBS level. Thompson also caught 23 passes for 351 yards and 2 more touchdowns.
Raymond, who stands 6’5, 255 lbs. from the NFL Combine, had already completed all physical drills back in Indianapolis, but he went ahead and tested again to try to improve his draft stock. Raymond ran a reported 4.58 to 4.62 second time in the 40-yard dash, improving his time considerably from 4.73 seconds in Indy.
NFL Draft analyst Tony Pauline seems to think Raymond is a 4th round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Dax Raymond/TE/Utah State: 40 times between 4.58s and 4.62s at pro day, significant improvement from combine. Scouts say as many as 15 TE's selected in top 125 picks. Count Raymond in.
— Tony Pauline (@TonyPauline) March 27, 2019
The projection from Pauline is interesting because it’s not as if he put up massive numbers by any means during his career with the Aggies. Last season, he caught only 27 passes for 345 yards and 2 touchdowns. In his entire career over three seasons (including 2 years away on a Mormon mission), Raymond caught 72 passes for 873 yards and 3 touchdowns.
For the Chiefs, both running back and tight end are positions of need, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone if multiple prospects are brought in via the draft or rookie free agents to provide maximum competition.