Chiefs: The Lowdown On Low Round Wide Receivers

Chiefs: The Lowdown On Low Round Wide Receivers – Some call them diamonds in the rough, some call them sleepers, and some call them steals, but I’m calling them definite possibilities, so here’s the Lowdown On Low Round Wide Receivers. These are prospects who might not be drafted until the 4^th round or later, and for those at home keeping track and saving your box tops, that’s the 3rd day of the draft. Sure, with some late April propping up in the media, they might go as early as the 3^rd round, but these are the guys who could get drafted and end up making a difference… especially if our Kansas City Chiefs selected them and you know who was throwing them the ball.

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In this 3:54 clip, Matt McMullen at Chiefs.com talks to Bucky Brooks, an analyst for NFL Network and NFL.com, about possible WR picks and he spends a good deal of time focusing on prospects outside of the first round, after identifying Kadarius Toney as a possible 1st round target, if the Chiefs decide to go with a WR early in this draft.

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In the later rounds — 4th and beyond — following are three WRs I’d be very happy with if Brett Veach decided to pick one of them. Although, I can see Veach double-dipping at WR this year.

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Let’s check off one of the first identifiers on the Brett Veach list of necessary skills to play for the Chiefs, and that is: intelligence. Imatorbhebhe,(pronounced: ee-MAT-or-bay-bay), got his Master’s last semester and played during the 2020 season as a red shirt Senior, while finishing his degree in Strategic  Brand Communication. Sounds like modern-heady stuff. He was a transfer student from USC to Illinois in 2019. His low production is what is likely keeping him from being rated much higher, with just 931 yards receiving in 17 games while at Illinois. Although he doesn’t have blazing speed, he did run a 4.48, 40 yard dash, and displayed other top numbers at his Pro Day:

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We often talk about a prospects player-comparison towards the end of an analysis, but in the case of Imatorbhebhe, it’s important to note that my comp-pick for him is WR Chris Conley. Now, Conley was a barrel of untapped potential, but one skill that Conley brought to the table, in spades, was: the ability to block. In fact, since Conley signed with the Jags prior to the 2019 season, no one has filled the role of a true blocking wide out for K.C.. Was that an issue for the Chiefs last year? I’d say yes. In fact, the last time the Chiefs broke the 1,800 yard rushing mark for a whole season was Conley’s last year: 2018 (1,855 in 2018 and 1,903 in 2017). FYI, the Chiefs have been out-rushed as a team since 2015.

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• Conley is 6-3, 205 and Imatorbhebhe is 6-2, 220
• Conley had a faster 40 time of 4.43, but Imatorbhebhe had a 4.48
• Conley had a vertical jump of 45 inches, behind only Cameron Wake who once had a 45.5 inch vertical, Imatorbhebhe registered a 46.5 at his Pro Day (a record).

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What this means is, Imatorbhebhe is more explosive off the snap that Conley. Ryan Tracy has published his 2021 Athletic Matrix – Functional Athleticism Metrics Report this week and here’s what he has to say about some of the top WRs in this draft. Notice that Josh Imatorbhebhe ranks first in Explosion while my second pick, covered next, is Shi Smith at #13.

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The reason to consider Imatorbhebhe late in the draft for K.C. is that, if they don’t take a highly skilled WR early, Imatorbhebhe provides them with a WR who is not only developmental, but who could step on the field and be a productive blocker until that day comes.

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For the moment, DrafTek has Imatorbhebhe ranked as the 153rd best prospect overall and that would be the 9th pick in the 5th round. Matt Miller ranks Imatorbhebhe as the 196th best prospect. CBS Sports has Imatorbhebhe ranked 256th.

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The Draft Network says, “Josh Imatorbhebhe is one of the most impressive pure athletes at the wide receiver position to enter this year’s draft class.” The Chiefs don’t usually employ a WR who can leap-tall-buildings-in-a-single-bound to win in jump ball situations (although Tyreek Hill does that well, even at his size), but they do like their WRs to be able to win in a crowd. The Draft Network’s Kyle Crabbs goes on to support what I’m contending about Imatorbhebhe as a developmental WR, someone with great upside:

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There’s plenty of room for added development with his route-running, but the raw athletic profile and skill set of Imatorbhebhe will make him an enticing investment opportunity in this year’s draft. Production and playing experience will temper his status as a prospect, but nevertheless, this is exactly the kind of player you’ll gladly take an early Day 3 flyer on in the hopes that you can develop him into what his potential indicates he could be.

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Imatorbhebhe’s size, physical prowess, as well as superior explosion, should allow them to take advantage of those attributes and he has “X” WR potential. Eventually.

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I was sharing with David Bell, a couple weeks ago, that the way I remember some of the many talented prospects by name is to do a pneumonic device (a Jedi mind trick) so when I think fo “Shi” Smith I think of the word “sky,” because he can not only jump high in the sky for the ball, but has made a habit of making terrific one-handed catches while, skying for the ball. Take a look:

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What’s remarkable about Shi Smith, and him being able to get up and make those one-handed grabs is, he’s just 5-foot-10, and goes 190. Shi ran a 4.43, 40 yard dash at the South Carolina Pro Day, but was overshadowed by another South Carolina prospect, CB Jaycee Horn, who ran a 4.37. While Horn, the son of one time Chiefs and Saints standout, Joe Horn, is ranked at high as #12 overall by DrafTek, Shi Smith is ranked #235 by DrafTek, #182 by CBS Sports, and #151 by Matt Miller. Beauty is in th eye of the beholder and the disparity in the rankings of Shi Smith could also be used as an example of just how different each General Manager’s big board probably looks. While Shi Smith may not rank high on those boards, he’s #8 on Ryan Tracy’s Short Area Quickness (SAQ) Matrix out of over 33 WRs measured in the 2021 NFL Draft:

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Getting open underneath is entirely about SAQ so the addition of Shi Smith could give the Chiefs offense a dimension it’s been lacking from its wide receivers. Also, in the case of Shi Smith, I’m encouraged that he’s been practicing everyday at South Carolina against one of the best cornerback prospects in this draft (Jaycee Horn). That can only make him better. So, let’s examine what may have drawn me to WR Shi Smith:

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The first catch was another one-handed grab, but what I’d like to focus on here is the sideline reaction of his teammates. A play like that, provides the same inspirational thrill as a huge hit from a Linebacker. A play like that can turn a game, and the momentum, completely on its head.

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While the second catch is another excellent one handed affair, it’s his stutter-step-and-go that grabs my eye here. When a WR is able to get a CB up on his toes and guessing which way he’ll turn at the goal line, he’s already won the battle. Som much has been written about the Chiefs tea speed, but it’s so much more than that. Quickness and the ability to make a cut, is just as important, plus when a WR can sell one route, then run another one, he’s also won the battle. Shi Smith appears to have the ability to win on those fronts.

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The third catch in this montage, is one of Shi Smith doing Chiefly things. What could be more Andy Reid-esk than catching a pass in the flat then turning it up field for a 20+ yard gain? Shi Smith has been there, done that, and he uses his 4.4 speed to make it happen. Shi Smith predicted he’d run a 4.39 to 4.41 40… but his 4.4 speed looks pretty darn good to me.

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The fourth catch was Shi Smith going up high and timing his catch in the end zone, something we’ve seen from Tyreek Hill many times.

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The fifth, and last, catch was a great fade, sideline catch. Count me impressed.

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While the previously mentioned Josh Imatorbhebhe had few stats to project to a Pro career, with Shi Smith who has four full college seasons and over 2,200 receiving yards, it’s plenty for Veach to digest. Any time Andy Reid can evaluate a player with four full seasons of contributions, he prefers it.

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The Draft Network project Shi Smith as a developmental slot WR and while the bigger need is for a WR who could replace Sammy as the “X” opposite Hill, I’ve often thought that one of the holes in the Chiefs offense was a good slot wideout who could make a catch underneath, and provide another target for Patrick Mahomes in he middle of the field, like Travis Kelce is able to do. Shi Smith, could be, that guy. On top of that, I’ve seen him running the Jet Sweep and with his ability to make plays downfield, he could be a late round steal for Veach.

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Wide receiver Marlon WIlliams is one of my favorite wideout prospects in the 2021 draft.

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However, he’s ranked as the 14th best WR by DrafTek (122 overall), the 25th best WR at CBS sports (146 overall), and The Draft Network has him as the 20th best WR (132 overall). So, it looks like he could be had in the 4th round. Is that because he’s really not very good? It looks to me like the opposite is true. I’d say it’s largely because this draft is loaded with wideout talent, up and down the board. It’s easily the deepest position in this draft and because this draft is so deep at wideout, it allowed K.C. to let Sammy Watkins go in Free Agency this year, believing it will be a fairly sure bet to replace him.

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Okay, so why would I say he’s one of my favorite WRs in this draft? Especially when the draft is loaded with other great WR prospects at the top? To be clear, I’ll be satisfied with whichever WR Veach and his staff of sharp shooters target in this draft. Sometimes, however, I come across a player — and fyi, this happens more than I can say — who I think belongs much higher on the draft boards than they are currently sitting.

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MWill, like Shi Smith, had a four year collegiate career, but also had 71 receptions for 1,079 yards with 10 TDs… all in just 8 games of the 2020 UCF season. A good reason he was on the Biletnikoff Awards watch list last season, the award presented annually to the most outstanding receiver in the country.

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* Hines Ward had 715 yards receiving in his senior season at Georgia before being drafted in the third round of the 1998 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Here’s one of the first plays I saw Marlon Williams make. His jump cut at the 24 yard line not only allows him to avoid three would-be tacklers, but helps to propel him to the end zone.

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The next video may be a bit fuzzy but, it’s Marlon WIlliams lower body strength at the end of a 75 yard catch-and-run that keeps him upright, as he gets close to a score… which he successfully completes.

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I’ve heard of Marlon Williams being compared to Anquan Boldin, because he’s also hard to bring down. Here’s a good exemple:

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Here’s PFF’s Tony Pauline and his Scouting report on Marlon WIlliams:

The Positives:

• First-year starter coming off a career season.
• Reliable possession receiver who is polished in all aspects of the position.
• Displays good awareness, knows where he is on the field, and uses the sidelines well.
• Consistent hands catcher who snatches the ball away from his frame.
• Quickly releases off the line of scrimmage, tracks the pass in the air, and gets vertical for nicely timed receptions.
• Contorts or adjusts to the errant throw, competes to come away with the tough catch, and plays with balance.
• Possesses good vision, finds the open space in the defense, and exposes himself to the big hit in order to come away with the catch.
• Effective blocker who gives effort.

The Negatives:

• Plays to one speed and lacks a deep burst as well as a second gear.
• Not very tall for a possession receiver.

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It’s odd when I like a player… and then come across a scouting report that’s as glowing as this one is about Marlon Williams… but… he’s rated as a 4th round, day three, talent. It seems unreasonable.

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On the other hand, maybe this year’s crop of WRs is really that good!. To reiterate, Reid’s offense could use a WR who could present problems from the slot, which is where The Draft Network projects him as best being used. He’s also a very good blocker and could provide a much needed lift to the Chiefs running game as well.

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Just as Veach and crew came up with L’Jarius Sneed last year, I’m sure they’ll dig out a great WR in one of the late rounds this year. Marlon Williams gives me even more hope that this will happen.

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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne

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