Chiefs Draft: The Low Down on the Low Round Wide Receivers
Article by John Dorsey, PASS2Win.com
Editor’s Notes: Laddie Morse
The following prospects are ranked by major ranking services around 150-ish or later. Since the fifth round of the draft begins with the 145th pick then all of the wideouts listed here should be available in the lower rounds of this draft. Since I’ve not recognized that WR is not high on the Chiefs offseason priority list, it doesn’t mean they won’t take on in this draft. They’ve taken four wide receivers in the past two years. However, considering that there are several other needs surfacing and that this draft is loaded with talent in several areas, it seems more likely that if the Chiefs do take a WR in this draft it will be in the lower rounds. The Chiefs have five lower round picks: 5-170, 5c-180, 6c-216, 6c-218, and 7-245.
Kenny Golladay, Northern Illinois
“A transfer from North Dakota, Kenny Golladay brings a long, lanky 6’4-218 frame to the game. His 40 dash at the Combine was a solid 4.50 while his vertical topped out at 35.5 and his broad jump completed at 10’ even. Golladay combined for 160 receptions his last 2 seasons at Northen Illinois, and topped 1,100 yards in each of those campaigns while scoring 8 and 10 TDs respectively. Golladay is a long-striding router with a mushy get-off and appears to run his routes at less than full throttle. He’s shown he can and will line up on either side if the offense, usually outside. He needs more burst off the snap and looks too calculated coming off the line. Golladay shows little enthusiasm when the ball isn’t called his way, and NFL DBs can read that like a book. When his QB is flushed out of the pocket and escaping the rush, Golladay rarely keeps his routes alive nor does he come back to his QB. He is mostly a linear router that seldom ventures across the middle. When he does he is cautious and at best going ¾ speed. He does beat press-man at the line and gains space when he gets a CB’s hips turned. He will body-catch at times, and suffer concentration drops as well. Hands are average at best. Golladay is an effective, impressive blocker. He squares up his blocking assignments and sticks them to the whistle, usually with excellent technique. Golladay has NFL size and college production to get noticed. He lacks the energy and aggressiveness however.” John Cooney
Note: Kenny Golladay is ranked #144 by DraftTek and #150 by CBS Sports.
Malachi Dupre, LSU
“Dupre stands 6’2-196, with a slender build of good proportion. No doubt Dupre will added a few pounds of quality weight in the NFL. He sported impressive athleticism at the Combine, popping a 39.5 vertical and blowing up an outstanding 11’3 broad jump. Dupre ran his forty dash in 4.52 seconds. In the past 2 seasons at LSU, Dupre snared 41 and 43 passes, at a combined YPR of 15.4 (nice) but just 9 total TDs in those 2 years combined. Coming out a year early, Dupre was utilized as a support player in college, blocking well and running many clearing routes. His routes are basic; linear or short, off-the-line quick hitters and hitches. Being a long-strider, Dupre rounds off his breaks and shows build-up speed rather than quicks. He doesn’t snare the football with strong hands and is not going to win many contested throws. He will often short-arm his extensions and allow CBs to close and defend. He needs good pro coaching to make a splash at the next level, both as a pass-catcher and a route runner. Malachi Dupre could have used another year at LSU to refine his receiving skills and gain more experience as a go-to type of receiver instead of a supporting role at 2-3 catches a game.” John Cooney
Note: Malachi Dupree is ranked #100 by DraftTek but is considered only the 150th best overall prospect by CBS Sports.
Josh Malone, Tennessee
“Tall, long WR out of Tennessee and one immediately conjures up shades of Justin Hunter. Josh Malone may be 6’2-200, but he’s a much more rounded wideout than the one-dimensional Hunter. Malone plays with more attention to detail, with and without the football. He is consistent getting his hands extended and shows good concentration tracking the ball in flight. Malone will allow a throw or two into his body. He plays fast, gets off the line well enough, even versus press. Malone’s routes are predominantly linear, but he has shown he is more than willing and capable on crossers and slants. The Tennessee playbook is more at fault for Malone’s perceived limited route acumen than Malone himself. After the catch Malone can get physical, breaking a DB’s tackle if they fail to wrap up. He keeps his legs churning after contact, gaining max yards on most receptions. Where he is weak is in his breaks, using a choppy technique that wipes out his route speed. He has to learn to drop his hip, stick it and go in the NFL versus quicker, slicker CBs. The Volunteer plays both sides of the field and is comfy doing so. Malone has a chance to flourish as a pro. His game is more complete than expected and he can win his routes both downfield and through the middle, if given the chance.” John Cooney
Note: Josh Malone is ranked #210 by DraftTek and #135 by CBS Sports.
Artavis Scott, Clemson
“Scott is a 5’10-193 possession receiver with excellent hands, practical game speed and keen after-catch vision. His Clemson WR schooling is a huge plus for his NFL chances. Scott is estimated to run his forty dash somewhere around low 4.5s, if not better. He is not a turf-burning route runner, but is sharp cutting off his stems and setting up his routes to get open. Catches the ball with confidence short or deep. Scott is effective inside and out, and is nifty inside the 20. He has been utilized as the short, under target at Clemson, caddying in routes for playmaking WR Mike Williams. Scott has the speed chops to expand his route tree in the NFL and play deeper than he was asked at Clemson. His fine run skills translate well on jet sweeps and hitches off the line. Scott also is a competent punt returner, opening another avenue to the NFL. He is sure to shine in workouts for scouts and I’m betting he’ll impress in his 40 as well as catch drills.” John Cooney
Note: Artavis Scott is ranked #180 by DraftTek and #230 by CBS Sports.
Quincy Adeboyejo, Mississippi
“Mississippi has produced several NFL-level WR prospects the past few drafts, and Adeboyejo is another in that size/speed Rebel WR mold. Adeboyejo goes a well-developed 6’3-197 and has room to put on a little more quality muscle. He hits his forty at 4.42, his vertical was just average at 34.5 and his broad jump an-ok 10’3. He has not been as productive as those Rebels of recent past, snaring just 73 passes total in the past 2 seasons, and scoring just once in 2016. He is quick off the snap and speedy in routes. Adeboyejo works the middle of the field, often lining up in slot or wide-slot formations. Shows sharp catch-n-tuck action with hands out consistently. He’ll make the touch catch in traffic and is fearless with DBs bearing down on him. The Ole Miss wideout is dangerous after the catch, accelerating through seams instantly. Tracks the deep ball well and looks confident securing the ball at every level. Though tough underneath and inside the numbers, Adeboyejo can burn a secondary downtown and is especially lethal on cut-back move for YAC. Cannot say enough of his catch technique, and his ability to take a hit and hang on to his targets. With the football, Adeboyejo plays with an idea of what to do. In the right pro circumstance and coaching, Quincy Adeboyejo can thrive. Tough, hands, speed and size are all traits NFL WR coaches covet and this Ole Miss ball hawk brings exactly those kinds of tools to the field. With opportunity, Adeboyejo will make football folks take note.” John Cooney
Note: Quincy Adeboyejo is ranked #225 by DraftTek and #297 by CBS Sports.
To read more about the wide receivers in this draft go to PASS2Win.com Wide Receivers.
.
