Categories: Kansas City ChiefsLaddie Morse

ArrowheadOne Writer’s Mock Draft: Fifth Round Pick

ArrowheadOne Writer’s Mock Draft: Fifth Round Pick – just as the Kansas City Chiefs have had many excellent 1st, 2^nd, 3rd and 4th round picks over the years, so too have they had their share of good 5th rounders. Clockwise, from the upper right-hand corner in the feature picture above are the names of the Chiefs memorable 5th round picks and the year they were drafted:

Scott Fujita- 2002

Joe Horn- 1996

Jerry Mays – 1961

Carlos Carson – 1980

Dante Hall – 2000

Tyreek Hill – 2016

Brandon Carr – 2008

David Bell selected ILB Zack Baun as the Chiefs 1st round pick in our ArrowheadOne Writer’s Mock. Then, Michael Travis Rose selected CB Bryce Hall for the Chiefs in round 2. Next came the 3rd round pick by David Perkins, a Safety, K’Von Wallace. Yesterday, Ransom Hawthorne selected Saahdiq Charles in the 5^th round. Now, it’s my turn — Laddie:

Laddie Morse On Antonio Gibson

Antonio Gibson is a running back. No, Antonio Gibson is a wide receiver. No, he’s both. What’s the old saying: “A jack of all trades is the master of none.” Here Gibson may be the master of several including RB, WR, as well as kickoff returner. There’s a distinct possibility that Gibson is out of place… out of place on the draft board. If he was only used as a RB he could have been a top round pick. If he had only been used as a WR, he could have been a top round pick. My take is… Andy Reid knows exactly what to do with a prospect as talented as Antonio Gibson: get him on the field and fast. Speaking of fast, Gibson ran a 4.39 at the combine. Now, 4.39 is not so rare… for a WR. It’s astoundingly good for a RB, which I think is how he’ll be used in the NFL. Gee, a RB who is also a WR: Reid must be salivating in his sleep. I don’t know why Gibson has fallen through the draft cracks so far but he seems to have fallen and can’t get up. That is largely due to his having few stats and little production in college because of a crowded backfield (?) but he was a basketball, track, and two-way football star in high school so, his talents were wasted at Memphis. Here are a few of the comments that various analysts have to say about Gibson:

“Makes explosive plays in running, receiving and return game.” -Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

“He isn’t a great route runner, but he’s very good at breaking tackles and making defenders miss after the catch.” – Kyle Mason of USA Today

“If you look deeper than Gibson astounding YPC (11.7), there is a comfort in his running. With his lean, balance and leg drive, Gibson shakes tackles and bolts forward. Between the tackles, he will lower the shoulder, fighting for extra yards.” – Terrance Biggs, Full Press Coverage

“Has the gas. Ability to get to top speed in a few steps is evident on all of his explosive plays. Regularly breaks angles from closing defenders and cannot be tackled in pursuit by even the fastest opponents.” – Benjamin Solak, The Draft Network

“Watch a highlight reel of Gibson and you’ll see him weaving through secondaries off of screens, using his top-flight speed to outrun defenders who have the angle on him and catching bombs downfield. He can do a little bit of everything and averaged 19.3 yards per catch in 2019.” – Alex Ballentine, The Bleacher Report

David Bell On Antonio Gibson

Antonio Gibson – WR, Memphis U, from Stockbridge, GA, 6-0, 228. This is a small college prospect with the first bona fide for Brett Veach being Speed. Gibson timed 4.39-40 which puts him in an elite class for the NFL. He has a multi-skill set which is totally appetizing. In High School he played both round ball and football and was the Offensive Player of the Year as well as gaining All-State recognition for basketball. What is of interest to me is not only his speed but his versatility. As a WR and a RB in college, he not only has speed but he is explosive as a Return Specialist. What amazes me though, is his speed. He saw limited use as a RB at Memphis but had some breakaway runs. Weaknesses? He does not have the hip twitchiness that you would like to see. At 228 lbs. he is a big man for the passing game as well weight-wise but his straight line speed, as seen in his 40 time, or his ability to break, is great. I can see him added to the roster as a WR, a counterpart difference to the Chiefs stable of wide receiving talent. I am not sure how he would fit as a RB but with that speed, get him in open field he could really do damage. He has the hands to be a receiver out of the backfield and is stout enough to be a top blocker as well. I suppose due to his experience he would be considered at WR first. He might fit the return game because of his explosiveness. Due to his multi-use talent, Veach could put him in Reid’s offense and along with his staff determine the best course for a talented player from a small school environment. The Chiefs do have a history of finding and utilizing such players as Gibson.

David Perkins on Antonio Gibson

Gibson is 6-0 and 228 (nice size). Played Juco 2 years and spent 2 years at Memphis as a WR, with a great senior year. Ran a 4.39 – 40, 1.55 – 10 and 2.57 – 20; no cone or shuttle, and broad jump is lacking. His estimated Sparq is 126.8, with z-score of 1.0 at WR (both solid) making him the WR11 or RB13. Estimated RAS score of 9.29 is WR10. So athletically graded the same. He is rated a RB/WR hybrid – but what is he? As RB, rated the 8th best by three services and the 14th best RB by a 4^th. However, as a WR, Gibson rated 20th best and 23rd best. Overall ranges from #98 by The Draft Network to #167 by CBS Sports, with a 5 service average of #125, making him a high to mid 4^th rounder. NFL Rough Draft has him as a 3^rd or 4^th rounder, with Draft Board Guru as a 4^th and Pro Football Network as a 5^th. His draft ranking of late 3rd to high 5^th is caused by the lack of a position.

Although playing WR at Memphis his body translates to NFL RB not WR. Good lower body strength, slasher style, runs with power and great vision. Big plus is willingness to catch over middle of field. Great hands and eye/hand coordination, confirmed by his breakout senior year. Will contribute as a returner. Biggest knock is lack of a position and poor pass blocker, but is this because he can’t or won’t, or lack of experience? I say lack of experience, so the key issue is can he be taught? Bet he would be a great 3^rd down back able to handle more carries as pass pro improves. Seems to be a McCluster/DAT clone but with power, something those 2 lacked. He would instantly become the Chiefs fastest RB (Damien Williams runs a 4.45 – 40). His 10 yard split is same as Watkins and his 20 yard split the same as Hardman! Read that again….slowly. Killer mismatch against linebackers with ability run WR routes against secondary. Another player for Reid to confuse defenses with home run capability. Great sleeper pick!

Ransom Hawthorne on Antonio Gibson

Antonio Gibson is a bit of a tricky projection. His best fit is probably at RB, but he played a ton of WR, in college. He’s got great size, good hands and quality speed. He’s not really polished, but he has game-breaking potential. Threat to take it to the house, every time he touches the ball. Should be a dominant player on special teams while he’s being developed, and has potential to be a matchup nightmare who can torch linebackers, and run over safeties.

Michael Travis Rose on Antonio Gibson

I’ll be honest. I wasn’t sure about this pick, originally. I thought the focus should have been on a linebacker or an offensive lineman. My apprehension was further increased after using my Google-Fu to research “Antonio Gibson.” Half of the sites had him listed as a running back, while the other half had him listed as a wide receiver. Turns out that they all were right. That sold me. Gibson is a Swiss Army knife in an offense’s arsenal. No coach is better equipped to take advantage of that and exploit Gibson’s impressive athletic abilities and talents than KC’s own Big Red. Gibson is a slasher runner in the back field who doesn’t nitpick at the line of scrimmage. He looks for daylight and just rolls with it using blazing speed, an uncanny vision of the gridiron before him, and sheer power to gain yardage, often times dragging a defender or two with him. Having been, for the most part, a wide receiver in college, his hands are sure, and his route-running is on point. Chiefs fans still lamenting the loss of Kareem Hunt will be particularly pleased with Gibson as a Chief. Oh, by the way, did I mention that Gibson also excelled as a kick returner while at Memphis? So, please accept my sincerest apologies for my earlier trepidation. I was wrong. If he catches like a Chief, runs like a Chief, returns kicks like a Chief, and has untapped potential like many past Chiefs, he should probably be a Chief!

Come back at noon today for Ransom Hawthorne’s

“Chiefs: Lazy Big Board Conclusion”

LadnerMorse