Chiefs NFL Combine Report: Day 3

Laddie Morse

It’s not hard to understand why some fans are calling for an end to the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. The prospects are herded like cattle and prodded like they’re being branded… and in some cases they are having exactly that done to them. In any case, here we are and today is day 4 when the Running Backs and the Offensive Linemen will be scrutinized. The schdule overall looks liek this:

Day One – Thursday: DL and LBs

Day Two – Friday: Defensive Backs

Day Three – Saturday: QBs, WRs, & TEs

Day Four – Sunday: RBs and OLs

Aged to Perfection… Combine News

Here’s an article by Charles Goldman at Chiefs Wire called: “Remembering top combine performances from current Kansas City Chiefs players” which points out the following players combine performances.

DE Frank Clark (2015) – Short shuttle: 4.05 seconds and Vertical jump: 38.5 inches

OL Joe Thuney (2016) – 40-yard dash: 4.95 seconds

QB Patrick Mahomes (2017) – 3-cone: 6.88 seconds and Short shuttle: 4.08 seconds

LB Willie Gay Jr. (2020) – Broad Jump: 136 inches and 40-yard dash: 4.46 seconds

CB Jaylen Watson (2022) – Bench press: 18 repetitions

DE George Karlaftis (2022) – Short shuttle: 4.36 seconds and Vertical jump: 38 inches

LB Leo Chenal (2022) – Vertical jump: 40.5 inches and Broad jump: 128 inches

RB Isiah Pacheco (2022) – 40-yard dash: 4.37 seconds

David Bell agrees with me when I say that Leo Chenal will have an expanded role in the defense in 2023. He, Chenal, came on strong at the end of the 2022 season and was in on 23% of the snaps for the year. Of course, all of the Chiefs rookies from 2022 should have increased roles in 2023. The 2023 draft was the best Chiefs draft class in memory, so Kingdom fans should not get their hopes too high. On the other hand, 2021 as a pretty great year too. Maybe Veach and staff have really figured out what they’re doing.

Saturday’s Combine News

Ian Valentino wrote a piece for ProFootballNetwork.com called, “Kansas City Chiefs 2023 Draft Prospects” and in it he mentions:

Ben Rolfe has listed all the Kansas City Chiefs draft picks this year which include:

“Persona” Non Grata

David and I have talked a lot about the Chiefs persona and that Brett Veach has learned to only take players that are a fit. It’s been several years past, but the Chiefs appeared to take a chance on players who didn’t necessarily fit the “persona” definition like: KeiVarae Russell, Kareem Hunt, Marcus Peters and perhaps to a lesser degree, Tyreek Hill.

Over the past two years, Veach and Company took no such chances. So, does that mean they’ll never take a guy like that again? I’m not so sure. This season and this draft appears to be filled with “Chiefs persona” type prospects. So, if what we’ve really witnessed the past few years is a balancing effect on the locker room and that K.C. would actually be up for taking a highly talented prospect even if he had questions.

Because… as we all know… Andy Reid is the HC of second chances, (think Michael Vick, Terrell Owens or even Alex Smith). If the Chiefs are willing to take a broken player this year, it has to be because they already know they have a locker room that is so secure in itself that it doesn’t matter who they bring in. With this draft being so chalk full of prospects who fit that Chiefs persona, it seems like it may be a possibility for them to go “off script” and take a non-persona type… as long as he is extremely talented

The only prospect who comes to mind right now — who fits that script — is Jalen Carter. If Carter were to somehow fall to the late teens in this draft — I seriously doubt he will — I would hope that Brett Veach has a plan to jump up and trade to get him. From YahooSports.com:

“Jalen Carter, 21, is facing charges for reckless driving and racing for the 15 January crash. On Twitter, Mr Carter released a statement saying he expects to be “fully exonerated”. He has been widely projected to be a top-five NFL Draft pick next month.”

In Other Chiefs Related News

Jordan Foote has written a piece for SI.com called, “Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVII Win Raises Dynasty and Legacy Talks” in which he says:

“Whether obtaining two titles in four years is worthy of the dynasty label remains to be seen. (This writer doesn’t believe it is, although the Chiefs are getting close.) An extended stretch of AFC West dominance featuring seven consecutive division titles, as well as five straight trips to the AFC Championship Game with Patrick Mahomes, makes it obvious that Kansas City checks off the sustained excellence box to an extent.”

I’m not ready to crown this Chiefs team a Dynasty… yet… either. Let’s just stay focused on the tasks at hand and do the best we can. Okay? Okay.

BackDraft

Let’s get back to the Draft and Combine. Many fans like to follow the prospects who the Chiefs have met with. I confess, I’m one of them. Maurice Elston wrote a piece for ArrowheadPride on Florida’s DT, Gervon Dexter in which he said:

“Dexter is an interior defensive lineman with great strength and a quick first step, which helps him be a contributor in the run and pass game. He can be a three-down lineman at the next level… Dexter is 6’6” and 300 pounds…. When you combine that with his natural athletic ability, you will see an upside that gives him a physical edge that should help him dominate offensive linemen when he is put in a position to attack up field and get penetration.

I’ve had my eye on Dexter and if he falls to pick #63, I’d expect to see Veach snatch him up.