Chiefs NFL Combine Report: Day 1

Laddie Morse

Ever since the day after the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles and won Super Bowl LVII, it has felt like a new NFL year has begun, but now more than ever, because the 2023 NFL Combine started yesterday, it’s has that “New League Year” feel about it… even though March 15 at 3 p.m. CST, is when the 2023 NFL League Year officially begins. So, what happened yesterday. David Bel ,nor I, watch every single minute of the Combine, so there you have our admission. However, there are those who do follow along minute by minute, so let’s take a look at some of the evolving stories:

Perhaps the msot important knowledge for Chiefs and NFL fans comes from this piece from DraftKingsNation:

“What TV channel will broadcast the 2023 NFL Combine?”

If you’d like to watch it online go to –> LIVE STREAM NFL Network from your Computer or Mobile Device Now (Authentication required).

Four Day Schedule

Over the next four days (three more now) the following players will be put through the drills:

Day One – Thursday: Defensive Linemen and Linebackers

Day Two – Friday: Defensive Backs

Day Three – Saturday: QBs, WRs, & TEs

Day Four – Sunday: RBs and OLs

Fastest 40’s of the Day

Here’s DL Calijah Kancey running a 4.78 40 yard dash. Calijah Kancey is seen as a 5-tech DE and is rated the 82nd best prospect by DrafTek.

Linebackers also ran the 40 (as well as other drills on Thursday) and Nolan Smith — ranked as the 44th best prospect by DrafTek — ran an amazing 4.39.

I like to see the composite 40s where several players are running at the same time. Here’s Noland Smith besting Stephon Diggs and Deandre Hopkins simultaneously.

Thursday’s Combine News

“Fastest 40-yard dash, Bryce Young’s size, most likely to rise and other burning questions”

Josh Edwards wrote thsi piece in which one of the questions he asks is: “Which prospect will erupt at the combine?” and he quotes both Ryan Wilson and Chris Trapasso as saying:

Ryan Wilson: Luke Musgrave, TE, Oregon State — His 2022 season was cut short by injury but he’s probably the most athletic tight end in the class. He had a good week at the Senior Bowl and he’ll shine in the drills in Indianapolis. He’ll have a chance to be the first tight end drafted.”

With the Chiefs needing to think ab out the future of the Tight End position — after Travis Kelce retires, which is hopefully not for year — Luke Musgrave may be the future answer now. Drafting him would give Kelce the opportunity to nurture him before his eventual exit.

“Chris Trapasso: Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State — He started his career at Nevada playing receiver and even played primarily in the slot! He then flipped to the defensive side and started as a safety. In 2022 he played the position best-suited for him at the next level. He should be incredibly athletic in Indy. Honorable Mention: Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia.”

Drafting a LB in round one seems liek a waste of a pick with all the other position players who could fall in the Chiefs lap. I don’t forsee this scenario.

Josh Edwards also asks the question: “Which under-the-radar prospect is bound to be a household name after the combine?“

“Ryan Wilson: Cody Mauch, OL, North Dakota State — Folks who follow the draft might be familiar with Mauch’s name — he was dominant at left tackle for NDSU in the fall but his NFL future will likely be inside. And that’s fine, too; Mauch worked at guard and center at the combine and he was a natural, and the fact that he looks like Thor’s cousin doesn’t hurt, either.”

“Chris Trapasso: Ji’Ayir Brown, S, Penn State — Brown is a twitched-up specimen on film. Very explosive. He should have one of the most impressive workouts at the safety spot and he’s not little either. That matters.”

Edwards goes on to answer this question as well:

“Josh Edwards: Tyler Scott, WR, Cincinnati — Scott is a thinner built wide receiver but he does a good job of flattening his routes across the field and eluding defenders post-catch. He should run the gauntlet well and show off his athleticism over the course of the week.”

Glenn Erby penned this piece for Yahoo Sports: “10 Sleeper prospects for the Eagles to watch at 2023 NFL Combine” in which he shares the following 10 names:

I hope CHiefs Kingdom fans aren’t offended by my mentioning the Eagles piece. If it’s out there on the internet, it’s all fair game… right?! Right!

CBS Sports, “2023 NFL Draft Prospects: FAVORITE Projected First-Round Picks” with Rick Spielman and Pete Prisco:

From NFL.com and Anthony Holzman-Escareno, he offers, “Vital information on franchise tags, contract terms, salary cap and more” in which he states:

“The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA) is a thick, 456-page legal document. If you feel like reading the CBA itself, have at it. If you understandably don’t want to take on this task, I’ve underlined some of the most important terms in NFL free agency/contracts below.

First, let’s consider a rundown of the free agency period itself. It begins when the NFL League Year does (in 2023: 4 p.m. ET on March 15), while team spending is limited by the annual salary cap ($224.8 million per team in 2023).

When the new league year begins [which is 4 p.m. ET on March 15], contracts from the previous season expire, the trading period opens and tenders for restricted free agents must be submitted, etc. This is when free agents can officially sign new contracts, and trades can become official.

And now, here’s a glossary of free agency terms that range from free agent designations and franchise tags to contract language and rookie deals.”

Anthony Holzman-Escareno also offers Important Offseason Dates, Free Agency Designations, Tags (and how they work) and more.

Safety John Johnson III – Free Agents

There will eb loads of teams dumping their contracted players this offseason, thereby makign them Free Agents. One example is the Browns Safety John Johnson III:

I’m not bringing JJIII up so Chiefs fans should consider him. To the contrary, I hope K.C. doesn’t try to sign him nor trade for him. So, why bring him up at all? Because he is one example of players who will be dumped, so their team can rid themselves of their salary, and in the case of other free agents, the Chiefs could end up being the benefactors. Now that the Chiefs have been to three of the past four Super Bowls… and… they have won two of the last four… they will increasingly be a target for top Free Agents who may be wanting to win a ring. So, for those Free Agents who are proficient at football… COME ON DOWN!

Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne

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