The University of Montana held a pro day and several teams were there to look at linebacker Patrick O’Connell and other NFL hopefuls.
The Kansas City Chiefs are doing their due diligence with only a few weeks left before the 2023 NFL Draft. After years of watching tape of some of the best and brightest players in college football, these remaining days are about confirming their beliefs, shoring up details, and making sure no place has gone overlooked before making their selections—even in Montana.
The Chiefs have never drafted a player from the University of Montana before, but with so many late-round picks entering this year, including two in each of the final rounds, the team’s scouts are doing their homework on players who performed well at lower tiers of competition.
The Montana Grizzlies held their pro day this week and the Chiefs were one of numerous schools with reps in attendance. While there were several players working out, the prize of them all is likely All-American linebacker Patrick O’Connell. O’Connell finished his final season with the Griz with 14 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, and 8 quarterback hits, and those stats come on the heels of an even better junior season in which he had 14 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss.
As it turns out, O’Connell put on quite a showing at his pro day in a number of categories:
Kalispell native Patrick O'Connell (@PattyC233) showed out today at #GrizFB's Pro Day, as he goes 38.5 inches on the vertical which would've ranked No. 1 at the NFL Combine among linebackers. His shuttle, L-drill and broad jump also impressive.
— Kyle Hansen (@khansen406) April 4, 2023
More from him: pic.twitter.com/wvoTHXPYad
It’s quite possible the Chiefs like another player or two from the lot of those exhibiting their talents but O’Connell seems like the safest bet. Depending on how the draft turns out, the Chiefs could use a final round pick to secure his services or at least they can get a read on which undrafted players they might want to convince to join them in rookie minicamp.
The 2023 NFL Draft is scheduled to begin on Thursday, April 27.
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