Chiefs: Drafting a DE, Three Possibilities

After publishing the article on Tuesday about the possible signing of Free DE Agent Melvin Ingram, which, if it came to fruition would be another Brett Veach coup, does not mean that the Chiefs don’t have a need to draft an up and comer in the 2021 draft. It’s nearing 4 PM as I write this and my hope is that Veach and Co. have spotted the player that they really want in a draft year where the DL should be viewed as a very weak class. My draft crush is of course out of reach and that is Jaelan Phillips, out of Miami. Obviously, I believe the Chiefs must draft a Linebacker and my second player position is DE. The pickin’s, by pick #58 or #64, are going to be slim, I fear, for a good DE.

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As it stands, Frank Clark’s contract runs out in 2023 and I don’t foresee K.C. moving on from Clark anytime soon, but he bears responsibility for under performing with a big contract. Additionally, the Chiefs feature Taco Charlton who has never lived up to his status for a first round draft pick. I don’t think Clark falling short in 2021 nor do I think Charlton is a wash this year either. Also, present is Tim Ward, but this remains a speculative venture until either comes to fore.

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Sure, I vote to sign a costly free agent DE, but with the draft outlook as it is, I still venture that that signing Melvin Ingram could well happen. The purpose is clear in doing so though. Ingram would make the Chiefs defensive front fearsome to every opponent they face and give them time to draft the “right” DE to fit the future. Unfortunately, the 2021 draft may not present that “right” player. Melvin Ingram would add significantly to the prowess of the front four which would make the roles of the LB far easier to fulfill and as noted, we need to add to that position group as well. I firmly believe that by adding Melvin Ingram, the defense would move into the top 10 ranking of NFL defenses. This is a construct I have wished to accomplish since DJ retired. I am not sure though what can be accomplished merely by waiting for a pick, which presents a difficult wait and see proposition, with pick #58, just who will be available and why Brett Veach would make any particular player selection from the DE’s available as late as our round two picks.

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So here’s my list of potential candidates in the 2021 draft who fit the Chiefs Defense with Steve Spagnuolo’s imprint and who might fall within range of selection. The top rated players are off the board. Veach has two second round picks and one fourth. By the time round one is complete, a bunch of offensive players will have been taken. Defense will begin to be the predominate choice of teams as round one closes and in the picks prior to Veach having his pick. If Phillips drops as low as pick 28, Veach will snatch him up. But he won’t.

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Dayo Odeyingbo: Vanderbilt, 6-foot-6, 276 lbs.

WholeHogSports - Burrow mentioned with elite
Odeyingbo Gets After It! – Mandatory Photo Credit–Whole Hog Sports

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In the NFL, some players have a fit for specific schemes and versatility can be a key as to why players are selected for any given team. The fact that Odeyingbo fits the Chiefs is obvious. Dayo has an explosive get off and has great physical traits for the DE position altogether. I think he is far underrated. He is athletic, has game fundamentals down and uses his hands as weapons. He can speed rush the outside and plays the inside with intensity.

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Odeyingbo has been climbing the rankings as the pre-draft period marched on. The reason he probably hasn’t bee ranked higher is that he suffered an injury prior to the Senior Bowl, so he may not be ready to go as the season opens. Now, I don’t know about a round two grade due to that, but feel that for round three he would be a fine pick. It depends on what happens with his recovery/rehab. He’d have been able to move up a round, had he been able to play in the Senior Bowl and display his skills there. Dayo has weaknesses in his game and will require coaching to iron them out. It has to do with positioning and countering blockers. Tony Pauline had rated him as a top 75 pick, but then the injury occurred.

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Odeyingbo is a qualified second round pick. It will take some significant vetting on where he stands in his rehab and how long that will take. His breakout as a player was 2020 and it was unfortunate for him to have suffered a late injury that put the qualifier on his assessment. I see his fluidness on tape and his speed is such that you can see that he will be a very effective NFL DE. Here, he’s lined up over the OC, something Spags loves to do with his DEs on occasion.

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Odeyingbo also has long arms and with development of his pass rush moves, and intensifying his hand fighting, will fit the 4-3 base and hybrids quite well. He can also take on the role-swap and play from the inside (as seen above) which gives him versatility. That he was also a leader on the Commodore Defense as a Team Captain, tells you that he brings a bunch to the table and offers an enticing prospect coupled with his versatility. If Brett Veach wants to bring a hybrid type player to K.C., a multi-tooled player that is the apple in the eye, among the men I have covered, Odeyingbo is now my pick. Sure. It’s a gamble, but the Chiefs have no 3rd round pick.

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Rashad Weaver: Pittsburg, 6-foot-5, 265 lbs.

Pitt sack leader Rashad Weaver lost for the season with knee injury |  TribLIVE.com
(Rashad Weaver – Pittsburgh – Tribune-Review photo credit)

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Rashad Weaver began emerging in 2020 as his stat history built strongly due to his improved performance. He is perfectly sized for the DE role and has versatility to boot. Weaver’s pass rush suit is sufficient to bring to the the NFL. The question arises for him to get a more explosive burst off the snap. He also, like most collegiate players, needs muscle mass and weight gain, to meet the rigors of professional football. He did suffer an injury in 2019 to his knee and that may have been a factor which retarded his get off. Only time will tell on that.

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The difference between the top tier, and the second tier, players is obvious. Weaver checks the boxes for size and speed. He is a tough player with a skill-set already developed. He does have the question related to burst and explosiveness — time will tell, but his numbers support his ranking which is probably in the top 75 players. Certainly in the top 100.

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Weaver’s 2020 performance is good with 7.5 sacks and he he pressured the pocket well, which puts him in the list of considerations.

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Ronnie Perkins: Oklahoma, 6-foot-3, 251 lbs.

Are Chicago Bears interested in Ronnie Perkins in 2021 NFL draft?
(Ronnie Perkins – Speed Rush, Bear Goggles On, photo credit)

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Ron Perkins is a positive choice for DE for the Chiefs. He too is versatile, and can play both from a vertical stance or with his hand in the dirt. Perkins has speed as the above captured photo shows as he gets beyond the edge bock of the OT. It appears to me that he will have success with that attribute but he will need significant additions to his rush profile, adding the swim and drag/pull to get him crossed to the inside will help. By adding the alternatives, Perkins becomes a significantly greater threat.

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In the following clip, notice that Perkins not only splits a double team but beats a third blocker in the backfield:

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Perkins has very strong hands, which he utilizes effectively, however his overall approach to rushing the pocket requires that his repertory needs to expand. He maintains intensity when setting the edge so his developmental time should not be greatly significant. As with most of the players who are not top tier talent, Perkins would need coaching to help build more solid and varied technique for the NFL level. He certainly possesses the speed and intelligence to accomplish reaching that goal. Perkins could be used situationally in year one and work on becoming a starter in year two or three.

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These three players are separated from the top ranked players and you may also surmise that I like Odeyingbo above the other two. He would be my target with a second round 2 pick. I won’t be surprised if he is highly successful in the NFL, perhaps with the Chiefs.

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David Bell – ArrowheadOne

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Come back at noon today to read a piece called:

“Chiefs: Niemann Brothers, Together Again?”

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