Chiefly Bacon’s Lazy Big Board: Inside Linebacker

 

 

When Derrick Johnson went down last year, Chiefs run defense went from bad to abysmal. Even so, it’s not necessarily a huge hole on the roster. Chiefs have a lot of young talent at the ILB position. While those guys weren’t quite ready last year, they still have a lot of potential. Chiefs may not feel like they have to draft an ILB, but most fans are hoping they will do so, and early in the draft. This seems like a fairly average draft class at ILB and there should be a few available who can fit Chiefs needs.

Pick 27 ILB Zach Cunningham 6’3” 234lbs

A favorite pick for many, Cunningham played really well on a bad Vanderbilt team. He possesses good speed athleticism and length for the position. Has the instincts you look for in a top pick at the position. Has some issues with missed tackles due to a lack of play strength. Upper body is much more built than his lower. Not a fit as a hole plugger. Weakside LB only. Skinny legs could pose a durability concern. Chiefs can get a prospect with the talent to be drafted higher if they feel ok about his physical limitations. I’d actually much rather have Haason Reddick, but I expect him to be gone by the time Chiefs pick.

40 Time	Bench	Vertical	Broad	3-Cone	20 Shuttle
4.67	15	35”	125”	7.03	4.29

Pick 59 ILB/OLB Tyus Bowser 6′3” 245lbs

Bowser reminds me of Derrick Johnson. He’s an athletic pass rusher who might not have the strength to win on the outside. His instincts, athleticism and coverage ability make him an excellent prospect to move inside. Should he develop as a pass rusher, Chiefs could play him at either spot. That versatility adds to his value. If Chiefs can’t decide whether they want a pass rusher or a future replacement for DJ, the easy choice is to get Bowser who could potentially be both those things. He’s not the most experienced player so he has some room to improve. I really like his ceiling.

40 Time	Bench	Vertical	Broad	3-Cone	20 Shuttle
4.65	21	37.5”	127”	6.75	None

Pick 91 ILB Kendall Beckwith 6′2” 243lbs

Beckwith is coming off an ACL tear, which is obviously less than ideal. He also comes with limited athleticism. What he does have is great instincts and a passion for football. While you’d never want him to play the weak side, he’s a potential day 1 starter at SILB. His physicality and mental grasp of the game make him a good replacement for the oft-injured Justin March. He’s a bit of a reach at this spot, but he’s probably the closest, of any of the ILB prospects, to being a good value here.

40 Time	Bench	Vertical	Broad	3-Cone	20 Shuttle
None	20	None	None	None	None

Pick 104 ILB Alex Anzalone 6‘3” 241lbs

First round talent trapped in Sanders Commings’ body. Recurring shoulder injuries have hampered his effectiveness. When healthy, he’s a special athlete with the physicality and instincts to play either ILB spot. Solely based on tape, he’s the best prospect, for the Chiefs, outside of Reuben Foster, however, a long history of injuries mean that Chiefs should look at him more as quality depth than a full time starter.

40 Time	Bench	Vertical	Broad	3-Cone	20 Shuttle
4.63	16	30.5”	116”	6.88	4.25

Pick 132 ILB Connor Harris 5′11” 242lbs

The fourth round tend to be the time when Chiefs start thinking about drafting an ILB. If Harris is available, I’m ok with that. Harris shows a lot of the intangible traits that ILBs need. He’s a leader with a great motor and a high football IQ. Reports say he loves to watch game tape. Good straight line burst, but average athlete otherwise. Doesn’t possess great length or strength and may struggle to block pulling guards. Connor’s early reps should come at SILB and on STs, but with time, he has potential to play either spot. Chiefs also get the added bonus of some positive local PR since Harris is a Missouri guy.

40 Time	Bench	Vertical	Broad	3-Cone	20 Shuttle
4.73	18	33”	114”	7.13	4.31

Pick 170 ILB Ben Gedeon 6′2” 244lbs

Jim Harbaugh might not have been a STs coach like his brother, but you can see the importance he places on it from the way he coaches his players. Gedeon has taken that philosophy to heart and plays with fire in all areas of his game. While he might not be an ideal starter on defense, but he can contribute right away on STs while he’s groomed for the SILB spot. Gedeon lacks the speed to start on DJ’s side, but he’s strong and he hits hard. He has enough change of direction ability to be an emergency WILL. This late in the draft, you’re mostly looking for special teams coverage units anyway, and Gedeon fits right in there.

40 Time	Bench	Vertical	Broad	3-Cone	20 Shuttle
4.75	27	34.5”	119”	6.98	4.13

Pick 180 ILB/OLB Vince Biegel 6′3” 246lbs

Biegel is a poor-man’s Bowser who has drawn comparisons to Frank Zombo. Good athlete who tries hard and has a solid football IQ. Team leader. Lacks the strength to stay on the outside, and might not be able to bulk up much more. I think Biegel has the makeup to play well on STs while he adjusts to ILB which is probably a better fit for him.

40 Time	Bench	Vertical	Broad	3-Cone	20 Shuttle
4.67	21	33.5”	118”	6.92	4.30

Pick 216 or 218 ILB Blair Brown 5′11” 238lbs

Brown is undersized, but makes up for it with a big time motor and great instincts. His ceiling is probably an average starter, but he has the demeanor to succeed on STs which is where he’ll make his money in the NFL.

40 Time	Bench	Vertical	Broad	3-Cone	20 Shuttle
4.65	None	37”	124”	6.92	4.18

Pick 245 ILB Marcus Oliver 6′1” 240lbs

Tough to find much on the Indiana prospect, but I get a good feeling about him. Forced an incredible 12 fumbles in his time at Indiana, despite being hampered at times by injury. Physically looks the part, but an ACL tear in his history. Hard to say what impact, if any, Oliver could have on Chiefs defense, but his penchant for forcing turnovers could prove a valuable asset on ST’s coverage units. (No Workout)

While none of the prospects available to the Chiefs are especially exciting, there are plenty of guys available who could at least factor into the depth chart. I fully expect Derrick Johnson to come back and play well, but everybody gets old eventually. It’s high time Chiefs had something in the cupboard besides un-drafted free agents, practice squad guys and STs only LBs. I think the two best picks for the Chiefs would probably be Tyus Bowser and Alex Anzalone, but we’ll see what Dorsey has in mind at the end of April.