ArrowheadOne Writer’s Mock Draft: Third Round Pick – just as the Kansas City Chiefs have had many excellent first and second round picks over the years, so too have they had their share of excellent third rounders. Pictured above are some of those choices. Clockwise, from the upper right-hand corner:
- Albert Lewis – 1983
- Will Shields – 1993
- Dustin Colquitt – 2006
- James Hadnot – 1980
- Jamaal Charles – 2008
- Justin Houston – 2011
- Gary Spani – 1978
Yesterday Michael Travis Rose selected CB Bryce Hall as the Chiefs second round pick. Today, David Perkins is up and he will select for the Chiefs in round three:
David Perkins on K’Von Wallace
The 3rd round has been god to the Chiefs over the years. In 2020 it is a great chance to possibly double-dip into the secondary and come away with a future starter. K’Von Wallace from Clemson can play both safety positions, and is proven commodity from a highly competitive program with championship pedigree. By the numbers: 5-11 and 200 pounds, 1.55 – 10 yard, 4.53 – 40, 4.15 – shuttle and 3 cone – 6.76, Sparq of 135.7 and 1.9 z-score (#4) and 9.43 RAS (#6) equals SUPER athletic. Best in short tight coverage, aggressive, and willing blitzer, could be a better tackler against big bodies, and keeps field in front of him. Best in robber role, good ball skills, but not great (could be developed), scrappy, tough, willing to support against the run. Good hip flexibility and quick feet. Can play special teams. Athletic ratings makes him 2nd most athletic safety on team, only behind Thornhill. With a one-year redshirt in 2020, has chance to learn on special teams and sub-packages, he could grow into Sorenson’s position as the 3rd safety and possibly into Mathieu’s position as the #2 safety. I see a great partner with Thornhill on the back-end of the secondary for the next 10 years.
Michael Travis Rose on K’Von Wallace
K’Von Wallace, as the Chiefs third-round pick, is an on-the-money selection. In the Chiefs secondary, under the Honey Badger’s tutelage, K’Von Wallace could well be a triple-threat roaming the Chiefs backfield. Quick, but physical, it’s unlikely an offensive lineman can stop him if he blitzes off the edge or even up the middle. Wallace also is a ball hawk when it comes to coverage, be it zone or man-to-man, and is robust and speedy enough to take an INT to the house in the very likely event he nabs one. Also, Wallace has no aversion to putting a solid lick on a ball carrier lucky enough to make it more than a few yards past the line of scrimmage. His experience at Clemson as a striker, and forays into playing both free and strong safety, shows that Wallace has a high football IQ rarely seen on the other side of the ball. While his lack of size is also used to downplay his ability, I’m not bothered in the least. I’m a firm believer that grit and determination are as valuable as athletic abilities. After all, I do recollect a certain undersized Chiefs cornerback, Mark “Mighty Mouse” McMillan.
Laddie Morse on K’Von Wallace
Wallace gives Steve Spagnuolo another Safety/Corner hybrid who can cover and step back into space. While his ability to tackle and play in the box exceeds his coverage skills, he’s still someone who could be counted on when the Chiefs go to a zone. I’m not as fond of the idea that Spags would us Wallace’s to man up against a TE or RB, he excels at coming up to put a hit on anyone coming out of the backfield. Wallace runs a 4.43 40 yard dash, and reminds me of Tyrann Mathieu. Wallace is an excellent blitzer and although Spags will find good use for that, the main reason to take a Safety here is to allow for more mean in coverage. To do that, the Chiefs would have to move another Safety up in man coverage and use Wallace in the Safety role. Otherwise, I only see Wallace as a developmental corner, but a very good Safety who could take over for Mathieu, once he moves on from the Chiefs.
Ransom Hawthorne on K’Von Wallace
K’Von Wallace was used in a variety of rolls at Clemson, but he really only thrives close to the line. Good burst downhill, when he sees the play coming and looks to deliver solid hits. Really brings the juice, as a blitzer, though he sometimes struggles to wrap up more mobile QBs. He’s pretty stiff. Not a guy you want in man coverage, for long. Top speed isn’t sufficient to play single high safety, in the NFL. Wallace has some strengths, but a lot of them align with what Armani Watts brings, and he’s struggled to see the field, for the Chiefs. Still, as a strong safety or zone nickel, he can be adequate in coverage and a good threat, in blitz packages.
David Bell on K’Von Wallace
K’Von Wallace arrives at the draft with a ton of experience in the number of games played in his collegiate career and also playing in two Collegiate Championship Matches. He was a solid contributor from the inception of his play at Clemson, appearing in almost 60 games. He stands at 5’11, 198, and fits well with the physique of a defensive back as he approaches the draft of 2020. In his Senior season Wallace had 2 PBU’s, 2 INT’s, 21 tackles, 2 for a loss. Wallace is a willing tackler in run defense support. An honored academic athlete, Wallace early in the middle of his Senior season at Clemson. K’Von was a 4-Star Prep-School Recruit. One thing from the combine metrics that really is important to me is drills which demonstrates Short Area Quickness. Wallace checks off this box for me having turned in the best time among safeties in the 3-cone drill. The change of direction adeptness, intelligence and versatility strike me as a top reason to consider Wallace in draft. Wallace is a willing tackler in run defense support. His versatility in how he was used will fit very well with Kansas City, immediately as part of the secondary machine providing Spagnuolo’s defense even more flexibility in the use of players in varied roles and hybrid deployments. The only thing I can really identify as a weakness is K’Von’s choice in angles of attack to get to the point of catch or the point of intercepting ball carriers though this is something that can be “coached” out quickly. What I do think is a very good match for Kansas City is his flexibility and versatility and that is what catches my attention as his style of play would fit well with how Spagnuolo deploys the safeties and also Dave Toub’s special teams.
Tomorrow, Ransom Hawthorne will offer up the Chiefs Fourth Round pick of our 2020 ArrowheadOne Writer’s Mock Draft.
Don’t miss David Perkins piece today at noon called,
“Chiefs: Pre-Draft Preparations”
