Laddie Morse
In nine days from today, the NFL Combine begins in Indianapolis. So, with the Kansas City Chiefs fresh off of a Super Bowl LVIII victory in Las Vegas, their coaches and office staff must now be ready for the evaluation of future players and that comes with a load of decisions before, during, and after the event. This is when the Chiefs will form many of the opinions they will have about this class of prospects coming out in the draft, which will be held in Detroit, Michigan, on April 25–27, 2024.
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Schedule of the Combine
The collegiate players will get their opportunity to show their skills on the following dates:
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The actual Schedule is as follows:
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Here are DrafTek’s top 24-to-39 evaluated players… for now:
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I focus on these prospects because if the Chiefs pick at #32 (I say “if” because there is always the possibility that Brett Veach will trade out of that pick), it’s is highly likely that one of these prospects will be the next Kansas City Chiefs player.
Here are CBS Sports top 24 to 41 and again, that’s because it’s highly likely that the next K.C. Chiefs player will be among these prospects:
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With the Chiefs selecting an Oklahoma Offensive lineman in 2 of the past 3 drafts, it may be an elevated possibility that they go for another one this year. That means, if 6-foot-7, 327 lbs. red shirt Junior, Tyler Guyton (pictured at left) falls to them, he may be the pick. Especially if Brett Veach makes no move to bring back Donovan Smith or sign any other LT move in free agency. This may be a way for Veach to handle a reduced salary cap if he decides to try and bring back DT Chris Jones and CB L’Jarius Sneed.
Of course, that would also mean that Andy Reid and Andy Heck would have notified Veach that they are uncomfortable — as am I — with Wanya Morris becoming the starter at Left Tackle.
The Combine give teams the chance to look a a players skills. Those skills include:
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• Broad Jump – which often measured explosion
• 40 yard dash – which often measures straight line speed
• 20 Yard Shuttle – which often measures lateral quickness
• Combine Event Programming – often said to be the most important part of preparing for the combine.
• Wonderlic Intelligence test – supposed to measure IQ
• Vertical Jump – which often measures explosion
• Position drills – focuses on a multiplicity of skills
• Interviews – often giving psychological tests, doing film work and getting personal info
• Event Evaluation – teams evaluated a players overall skills
• Flexibility Training – LEWIS Fitness & Performance program places special focus on flexibility
• Bench Press – weight of 225 pounds and see how many reps they can complete.
• Cone Drill – another Cone drill that measures lateral quickness
• Agility – skill and game day readiness
• Shuttle Run – a good indicator of how quickly players can read and react while moving laterally.
• Speed Training – proper stance, first-step technique, acceleration, maximum mechanics, and methods
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While the Combine is said to be the longest and most stringent interview process ever, it’s hard to see the advantage the Chiefs have gotten over the past few years. Nine more days until we jump in and start the whole year long process over again. It seems like the long season is more trying for the staff and coaches, than it is for the players. They’ll get their turn soon enough.
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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
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