Wednesday, April 24, 2024

2024 NFL Draft: Chiefs Preview

 


These players are tied to the Chiefs either through select mock drafts, or visits during the senior bowl, combine, pro days, etc. The summaries come from NFL.com. This list includes players solely connected to the Chiefs who are not also tied to the Steelers or Bills.





OT Patrick Paul: Houston  6'7 1/2", 331




combine: 5.13s 40, 29"vert, 30reps

2023: 1st All-AAC

strengths: Slides quickly down to the B-gap when the edge rusher backs out or twists. Hands are active throughout the rep to maintain feel for the rusher. Has the agility & footwork for recoveries at the top of the rush. Swings quickly from one block to the next on climb-up blocks. 

weaknesses: Needs to keep his weight back and his chin tucked in pass protection. Diminishes his length with a lack of consistent track on inside punch. Allows back-side opponents to fight through his cut-off attempts. Doesn't play with enough core strength or grit to be thought of as a block finisher.

grade: 6.22 (Will eventually become an average starter)

comp: Nicholas Petit-Frere



TE Theo Johnson: Penn St  6'6", 259




 combine: 4.57s 40, 39.5"vert, 10'5"broad jump

2023: Honorable All-BIG 10, 34rec/341yds/7TDs

strengths: Displays decent lift with his hips/hands when fitting up his base block. Widens his base and runs his feet through initial contact. Runs routes with proper leverage to stem & separate at the break point. 

weaknesses: Tends to drift rather than sit down when sinking into zone voids. Waist-bending into run blocks allows edge defenders to slip off and around. Needs to improve his mirror-and-strike talent against moving fronts.

grade: 6.15 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter)


TE Ja'Tavion Sanders: Texas  6'4", 245

















combine: 4.69s 40

2023: 1st All-BIG 12, 45rec/682yds/2TDs

strengths: Well-coordinated making leaping catches on the move. Frames off defenders and catches with strong hands when contested. Run-after-catch featuring quick vertical burst and getaway speed. Has the tools to become a more effective move blocker.

weaknesses: Inconsistent aggression taking on bigger opponents at the point. Allows defenders to play though his base blocks. Displays consistent break drift on out-breaking routes.

grade: 6.37 (Will eventually become a plus starter)

comp: David Njoku



WR Anthony Gould: Oregon St  5'8", 174
















combine: 4.39s 40, 39.5"vert, 10'9"broad jump

2023: Honorable All-PAC 12, 44rec/718yds/2TDs

strengths: Wins with electrifying deep speed and separation burst underneath. Good toughness to beat back ball-challengers through contact. Adds element of danger on punt returns & WR screens. Displays talent to track & adjust to the deep ball.

weaknesses: Plays with some hip tightness that slows ability to sink and stop. Lacks fluidity running more detailed routes. Needs on-frame throws due to lack of length.

grade: 6.23 (Will eventually become an average starter)

comp: Isaiah Mckenzie



OG Christian Mahogany: Boston College  6'3", 314
















combine: 5.13s 40, 32.5"vert, 9'1"broad jump

2023: 1st All-ACC

strengths: Has heavy hands to jolt and knock opponents off-kilter early on. Has upper-body power and chippy demeanor to maul & scrap at the point. Consistent use of inside hands bolsters an already sturdy protection anchor.

weaknesses: Pad level suffers from inability to play with consistent bend. Inconsistent contact balance & body control throughout the strain phase. Heavy feet open him to arm-over moves and spin counters. Lacks lateral quickness to slide & mirror with edge-to-edge rushers.

grade: 6.16 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter)



TE Ben Sinnott: Kansas St  6'4", 250















combine: 4.68s 40, 40"vert, 10'6"broad jump

2023: 1st All-BIG 12/3rd All-American, 49rec/676yds/6TDs

strengths: Speed & agility to run routes on all 3 levels. Gets quickly into routes and maneuvers around redirection. Can move the chains with his run-after-catch ability. Quick to adjust his target point against moving targets. Light on his feet with feel for angles as a positional blocker.

weaknesses: Fails to fit up run blocks with much command or force. Needs to drop pad level and play with inside hands more often. A little slow to activate his when throws are on top of him.

grade: 6.13 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter)


WR Johnny Wilson: Florida St  6'6", 231





















combine: 4.52s 40, 37"vert, 10'8"broad jump

2023: 3rd All-ACC, 41rec/617yds/2TDs

strengths: Active hand-fighter in swatting his way through handsy press. Build-up speed with stride length to maintain some vertical; separation. Flashes late hands and the ability to salvage off-frame throws. Breaks perimeter tackles and rumbles for additional yardage.

weaknesses: Slow feet limit his ability to get off press in & out of breaks. Below-average body control and space creation on 50/50 balls. Route running lacks focus and impact to move defenders. Lacks consistent focus, dexterity & hand strength as a pass catcher. 

grade: 5.95 (Average backup/Special teamer)

comp: Devin Funchess



OT Caedan Wallace: Penn St  6'5", 314





















combine: 5.15s 40, 31"vert, 9'8"broad jump

2023: Honorable All-BIG 10

strengths: Body control and radar to climb, find & land on LBs. Fits up blocks with proper base and hand placement. Lands on rusher with full arm extension to separate and feel the rush. Does a nice job recognizing twists and sliding feet with inside moves.

weaknesses: Can be too deliberate and telegraphed with his pass punch. Needs to play with lower pads to help find more displacement & push. Can be beaten to the spot by move blocks by NFL quickness. 

grade: 6.23 (Will eventually become an average starter)



RB Cody Schrader: Missouri















combine: 4.61s 40, 33"vert

2023: Burlsworth Trophy, 1st All-SEC/Consensus All-American, 276car/1,627yds/14TDs, 22rec/191yds

strengths: Outstanding processor getting from read to read as an outside-zone runner. Can get deep into the line of scrimmage, creating easier cutbacks. Runs with desired level of decisiveness & toughness downhill. Blocks with awareness, toughness & technique protecting his passer.

weaknesses: Tight hips with tight, short strides. Lacks post-cut acceleration, allowing defenses to rally. Ducks & plows prematurely at times instead of searching for more. Must have throws put right on him.

grade: 5.87 (Average backup/Special teamer)


TE Erick All: Iowa  6'4", 252














2023: Honorable All-BIG 10, 21rec/299yds/3TDs

strengths: Agility & athleticism for an expanded route tree. Clean getting into breaks & bursts coming out of them. Good blend of elusiveness and toughness after the catch. Willing to strike with some force as split-zone & lead blocker. 

weaknesses: Suffered back to back season-ending injuries. Needs to become more physical to clear himself against handsy coverage. Can make tough catches, but easy ones will slip by at times. below-average grit and sustain blocking at the point of attack.

grade: 6.14 (Good backup with the potential to develop as a starter)


RB Bucky Irving: Oregon  5'9", 192





















combine: 4.55s 40, 29.5"vert, 9'7"broad jump

2023: 2nd All-PAC 12, 186car/1,180yds/11TDs, 56rec/413yds/2TDs

strengths: Decisive downhill charges create a head of steam for what is to come. Possesses elusive features including spin move & lateral jump cut. Good run-through power to break tackles and extend the carry. 

weaknesses: Gets into too much of a hurry and rushes ahead of blocking development. Feet fly outside his frame during change of direction, limiting cut fluidity. Below-average press & finesse getting into his run-lane choices. Needs to improve his protection technique to deal with NFL blitzers.

grade: 5.87 (Average backup/Special teamer)

comp: Dameon Pierce



RB Jonathan Brooks: Texas  6', 216


  













2023: 2nd All-BIG 12, 187car/1,139yds/10TDs, 25rec/286yds/1TD

strengths: NFL-caliber accelerator as an outside runner. Flows through run lanes with excellent bend & quickness. Outstanding spatial awareness to create maximum work space as a runner. Usually avoids unnecessary moves and finishes runs when it's time. Good hands & great post-catch wiggle create added value for offenses.

weaknesses: Season ended with an ACL tear. Still learning to press the hole and set up blockers on zone runs. Power into & through contact is just average. Will need to square up rushers and limit lead-shoulder block approach.

grade: 6.38 (Will eventually become a plus starter)

comp: Jamaal Charles


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