Arrowhead Addict
FanSided

Grading KC Chiefs 2021 draft class for need, potential and immediate impact

By Sterling Holmes

COLUMBIA, MO - SEPTEMBER 07: Linebacker Nick Bolton #32 of the Missouri Tigers reacts to a tackle against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Memorial Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MO - SEPTEMBER 07: Linebacker Nick Bolton #32 of the Missouri Tigers reacts to a tackle against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Memorial Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 30: Wide Receiver Cornell Powell #14 from Clemson of the American Team avoids being tackled by Safety Damar Hamlin #33 from Pittsburgh and Cornerback Benjamin St. Juste #25 from Minnesota of the National Team during the 2021 Resse’s Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama on January 30, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. The National Team defeated the American Team 27-24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL – JANUARY 30: Wide Receiver Cornell Powell #14 from Clemson of the American Team avoids being tackled by Safety Damar Hamlin #33 from Pittsburgh and Cornerback Benjamin St. Juste #25 from Minnesota of the National Team during the 2021 Resse’s Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama on January 30, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. The National Team defeated the American Team 27-24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

Round 5, Pick 181 – Clemson WR Cornell Powell

Add Powell to the cluttered wide receiver room of guys vying to be the number 2 behind Tyreek Hill. Powell has the prototypical size and traits to fit in this Chiefs offense by adding a middle of the field receiver to go with the deep ball threats that Hill and Hardman provide. His ability to track the ball and make the catch at the high point should hopefully give the Chiefs a red zone threat as well.

Given the talk of a true WR2 on this roster, Powell doesn’t fill the immediate need but does give the Chiefs depth for the future and present with Demarcus Robinson on a 1-year deal and the loss of Sammy Watkins. I expect him to slowly work his way up the depth chart as the season progresses, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he ended up with more yards than Robinson at seasons end.

Draft Need – B+
The Chiefs don’t necessarily need a depth guy at wide receiver but they do have a need at WR2. I am not sold on Hardman or Robinson attaining WR2 production but Powell has the makeup to attain that, albeit probably not this season.

Immediate Production – C+
With Hardman, Robinson, and potentially Pringle ahead of him on the depth chart, Powell has his work cut out for him early. If none of those three shine, Powell has a good chance to make a name for himself if he builds a solid rapport with Mahomes.

Potential – B
While I am not 100% sold on him as the future number 2 on this roster, I think he has a very good chance based on his size and skill set to become, at minimum, a very good number 3. He has a good chance to be the next Chris Conley/Demarcus Robinson type on this team which is valuable.

Overall Grade – B-

Home/Kansas City Chiefs Draft