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2019 NFL Draft: Five key prospects for Kansas City Chiefs fans to know

By Thomas Welte

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 30: Montez Sweat #9 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs reacts after a tackle for loss against the Louisville Cardinals during the TaxSlayer Bowl at EverBank Field on December 30, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Bulldogs won 31-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 30: Montez Sweat #9 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs reacts after a tackle for loss against the Louisville Cardinals during the TaxSlayer Bowl at EverBank Field on December 30, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Bulldogs won 31-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 14: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans passes the ball under pressure form Blake Cashman #36 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first quarter of the game on October 14, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 14: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans passes the ball under pressure form Blake Cashman #36 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first quarter of the game on October 14, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

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.

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