Beyond the Chiefs ILB Starting Pair:
Terrance Smith, Ben Niemann, Tyrone Holmes
by David Bell
Previous ventures in examining the status of the Kansas City Chiefs ILB contenders, found two dominant ILBs who would start the season inside. A subsequent piece delved into Ukeme Eligwe another WILL, entering his second season with the Chiefs and my view was that he would be WILB #2.
Aside: Sometimes authors writing about Inside Linebackers use different terms to describe “function”. I see it as WIL, or WILL or WILB, etc. What’s next? More depth. A MIKE or a SIL(B)? and a DILB! Ha! Here? I am using WILB, SILB and DILB(Dime).
Terrance Smith – 6’3″ – 235 lbs., 2016 UDFA, FSU: Smith was signed on by John Dorsey. What immediately caught my attention was his speed. He is a side-line-to-side-line ILB. I had hoped he would add some poundage but one worry out of the draft was the question of whether his frame could handle it and whether he was big enough for the inside. Smith missed three games his final season but was still All-ACC for his 3rd season in a row. Smith was in the running for a larger role at WILB in 2017 but a pre-season injury stymied his run at it. Smith as the length and speed I like at the position but must be considered “light” in terms of size. I don’t really know where he is with his weight and training regimen so it will be interesting for me to see if he has put on 5-10 pounds.
Terrance Smith has the speed that is effective in pursuit of the ball carrier, can drop effectively into coverage. He will be entering his third pro season in 2018. According to Lance Zierlein’s analysis, Smith’s body weight and a weakness in strength and hence tackling were areas of concern. He felt he was a round 7 pick. Greg Gabriel of National Football Post wrote: “Smith is a good fit to play as a Will linebacker in a one gap 4-3. If he can get to 245+ and learn to play a bit more physical game he should also be able to play inside in a 3-4. He has great speed and athleticism to go along with good instincts. Is effective when used to blitz. Won’t be a rookie starter but will be very good on specials while he learns.”
Since we are looking for ILBs behind the starters, Smith is at least a fit for a depth role. My problem here is that he fits the WILB as does Eligwe whom I covered previously. Perhaps Sutton and Co will see Eligwe as the #2 SILB. Both men have a role to play. If Kevin Pierre-Louis had good numbers, they were closely mirrored by Smith’s numbers. I could not find the SPARQ number and KP-L’s were out of the roof. But KP-L is gone, Smith remains. It’s not just metrics and stats. Smith’s numbers were nearly equal to KP-L and his burst metric was a high 118+.
Here’s big play video of Terrance Smith’s interception Denver’s Paxton Lynch:
https://youtu.be/H8TWxA6LhTI
Terrance Smith’s Combine Metrics:
- 40-yard dash: 4.58
- Bench: 19
- Vertical: 32.5
- Broad jump: 122
- Short shuttle: 4.89
- 3-cone: 7.14
- SAQ: Very Good
Ben Niemann – 6’3″ – 235 lbs., WILB, UDFA – Iowa: Niemann is a player that I really like. He is a UDFA in a position where depth is a concern. First off, he has the speed that is admirable at the linebacker position, drops into coverage effectively and easily. Team-mate Josey Jewell, drafted in round 4, by Denver(Pick 106) had this to say about Niemann: “I think Ben’s got a lot to offer a team. Maybe he hasn’t gotten the big hype and stuff like that — I think he’s fine without it — but I think he’ll do a great job on a team, whatever team he goes to and whatever he does,” Jewell said of Niemann. “I think he’s a sneaky fast guy. He’s a football player, that’s for sure.” That’s a nice recommendation by a fellow Hawkeye. Niemann was not invited to the combine. One Pro Scout saw many positives about Niemann including a look at his frame, stating he could put on 20 pounds and carry it well. With that speed and his “futures” outlook, you can see why he received a UDFA invite to the Chiefs camp. Beyond this? Character both on and off the field. In the Big 10 he was ranked as one of ten over-looked players for the 2018 draft.
Ben Niemann’s Pro Day Metrics
- 40-yard dash: 4.60
- 225-pound bench: 15
- Vertical: 35.5″
- Broad jump: 9-7
- 20-yard shuttle: 4.25
- Three-cone drill: 6.84!!!
- SAQ: very Good
Tyrone Holmes 6’2″ – 250 lbs., SILB – 2yr pro – Montana: Holmes is entering his 2nd season in the Pro’s, was released by the Browns after appearing in 11 games in 2017. He was originally drafted by Jacksonville in the 2016. He did not play in the NFL in 2016. He was picked up by the Browns and signed to the PS. When he was released by Cleveland, in December, KC picked him up and placed him on the PS). Holmes was originally a 6th round pick. Holmes is right sized for an inside linebacker as the SILB. He has good hip flex that provides good SAQ and is a good sized player for the strong side work. He was one of those players about whom Gil Brandt observed was a combine overlook that might be a sleeper in the NFL.
Looking at his collegiate years though, he was tasked at OLB. His moves inside were very good from a hands in the dirt stance, with good IGOQ(Initial Get Off Quickness). I look to him to possibly compete for a SILB Role. I have been wrong before but it seems to me he would be a good fit. He is on the active Roster, and it’s possible, if kept he will be an OLB depth and S/T player. In his draft profile, Zierlein quoted an AFC West Scout: “There are some snaps on tape that make me think he can make a roster and maybe become a player….caught the eye of the You never really know about those small school guys until you get them in and see how they do against better competition.” Holmes was the FCS Defensive Player of the year.
Tyrone Holmes’ Pro Day Metrics
40-yard dash:
225-pound bench: 28
Vertical: 37.5
Broad jump: 9-5
20-yard shuttle: 4.30
Three-cone drill: 7.00
SPARQ: 130.8 (ranked as the late round Gem at Arrowhead Pride at the time).
SAQ: good
At the 2016 draft, writers here in the Kingdom area felt that Holmes was the right kind of later round pick. There is more work to for the Inside Linebackers. But that will have to wait for camp.
David Bell – NSLU
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