Chiefs OLBs: Last Peek Before Pads

Chiefs OLBs: Last Peek Before Pads

by David Bell

Happy Independence Day Chiefs fans!!!

In previous articles I delved into the new players in the potential mix for the single starting role that is in open competition opposite Justin Houston, who is a given. Tanoh Kpassagnon was a previous venture in penned material which yielded remarks on Dee Ford and Breeland Speaks. There are others who want a roster spot. This brief, albeit brief, is about those others.

It’s a Brief-Brief: The Other OLBs in Camp

Having set the table with the starters Justin Houston and Dee Ford, and having the newcomer Breeland Speaks added to that mix, which includes Tanoh Kpassagnon and Frank Zombo, I doubt we will see a change to the players who will have meaningful participation or snaps. Zombo is an Inexpensive player for depth and a VIP to Dave Toub’s Special Teams. Kpass will be pushing Ford along with Speaks. This is probably the actual mix for 2018 with no additions other that Speaks. Probably.

A Peek at the other OLBs in

the Upcoming Training Camp 

Tyrone Holmes – 6-2, 235 lbs. – 2nd Yr Pro-MT

Holmes was acquired after his release by the Cleveland Browns and he was added to the Roster by Brett Veach. I discussed a potential move inside by Holmes in a previous article. In his rookie season, Holmes saw action in 11 games — no starts. In 2017 with the Chiefs, Holmes appeared in 4 games.

Holmes has done nothing yet to say he’s a player who might one day make it as a starter in the NFL. He would have a tough time with players in front of him anywhere he went. Still, the Chiefs brought him back in 2018 and he is good enough to make a 53 man roster.

Rob McCray – 6-2, 266 lbs. – Rookie – Indiana

McCray was a starter at DE for the Hoosiers in 11 of 12 games for the season plus he earned All Big 10 Honorable Mention. He has the size to play outside but is light for a defensive end in the NFL. McRay’s physique though, appears to me to fit the DE type and mold.

I doubt we will see McRay on Opening Day in a Chiefs Uni.

Indiana Pro Day Metrics

• 40 – 4.78
• Bench: 20
• 3 Cone: 7.10
• Short Shuttle: 4.39

Information about the Metrics came from –> DraftScout.com

Raymond Davison – 6-2, 234 lbs. – Rookie UDFA – Cal

Collegiate play was outside but he is too light for OLB in the NFL. I covered him that way previously so no further detail is added here. Davison, if he shows promise might make the PS. Otherwise, he is likely a “Camp” addition. I see him on S/T and perhaps potential as an ILB.

Cal Pro Day Metrics

• 40 – 4.56 (this would have been 6th best if at Combine)
• Bench: 20
• Short Shuttle: 4.39
• Vertical: 35.5

Information about Davison from the Cal Bears, here –> CalBears and Cal Athletics

My Comfort Level With the OLB Crew?

We have a status quo. I very much like the addition of Speaks. I have stuck up for Ford since he arrived. He did have the last 6 or 7 games in 2016, 5 of which he started that really gave me a good feeling that Ford would emerge but 2017 proved differently. Justin Houston struggled in 2017 and was injured in late 2016 which is how Ford got the starts he had that late season.

I am worried about the OLBs to the point that I wish Veach could have afforded to sign a proven Veteran. Ah, if wishes were horses…

I see Holmes as a Special Teams contributor and if Davison makes the roster Special Teams is how he would stick around. Rob McCray is a player with a question mark but over all? I am not going to say that any of the three make the final cut.

Since Hali has departed, this group is dangerously thin in experience and certainly in performance. There is something about watching film of Breeland Speaks that gives me a positive view of his addition. Again, how soon he will be able to “Bring It” remains conjecture. I want to see all these players in pads.

David Bell – NSLU

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