3. Blake Cashman, LB, Minnesota
Blake Cashman was a relative unknown until his name started garnering some buzz at the NFL combine. Most notably, Cashman caught the attention of scouts with an unofficial 40-yard dash time in the 4.4 second range, before it was corrected to a 4.5 second time officially. Still, the performance had many people going back and watching tape on the Minnesota Golden Gopher.
Cashman is still a mid-round pick, but his skill set is an ideal fit for the Chiefs new 4-3. He is at his best in space and has some of the best reaction times by anyone not named Devin in this draft class. He is fundamentally sound and surprisingly effective in the open field, despite his smaller frame. The 2019 NFL Draft does not have an especially deep group of linebackers, but Cashman may be a gem buried in the rough.
Cashman would be an excellent investment for Kansas City. He has a similar skill set to Dorian O’Daniel but is not quite the same athlete. Blake Cashman will likely be a backup but has the upside to become a starter in a few years in the NFL. The Chiefs have a need at linebacker, and Cashman could be a mid-round investment that could take over a spot on the inside or weakside in a 4-3.