Did you know there are 75 prospects in the coming NFL draft who should go in the first round? At least that’s what I’ve heard from 75 different draft analysts. Everyone’s got the lowdown on a guy who “should be” in the first round.
I was playing a mock draft game at Fanspeak.com and I chose my team — the Chiefs of course — then I chose how many rounds I want to pick — I always go seven. Next, you must choose a Big Board, a ranking of the players so I chose “Jeff Risdon – Real GM, Brownswire, Texanswire ” because I like to sample the different boards they make available. Lastly, I chose “Team Needs” and there I selected “NFL Mocks.” Once all the setting were in place I hit “Let’s Draft” and the program began to draft all the teams in front of the Chiefs and when it came to pick #27 I was presented with the option of Haasan Reddick, the speedy and gifted ILB from Temple.
Now, I am pretty darn sure Haason Reddick is going in the first round. I’m also pretty sure he is going way before the Chiefs draft. However, if he doesn’t I hope that John Dorsey is ready — like I was — to snatch himself an excellent player who can fill a position of great need… either this year or down the line, at inside linebacker.
So, here’s my March 10 mock, which covers all the bases: a new ILB, a player who can rotate with Jaye Howard at the nose, a tight end who is big and athletic and can actually catch the ball, a corner who will compete for the number two spot, a running back who will pound the ball up the middle and win, more support for the offensive line, another pass rusher who can get after it and last but not least, a quarterback of the future.
ILB Haason Reddick is fast becoming my favorite first round pick. His 4.52 40-yard dash time at the combine placed him in rare company for an ILB who is 6-foot-1 and goes 237 pounds. His athleticism and instincts playing the game are also rare. If he’s there, you gotta get em.
NT Elijah Qualls was a pick I was not familiar with until I did some research on him. For someone who is 6-foot-1 and 313 lbs… he is a bowling ball of thunder and everyone else is his bowling pin. Perhaps the kicker that made me sit up and take notice was the video I found of Qualls playing QB and FB in high school and yes… he basically bowled everyone over. However, I flashed in my head the idea that John Dorsey was showing that video to Andy Reid and a lightbulb went on over Andy’s head: “I have found my new hungry pig!” Qualls 33 reps of 225 lbs. was one of the best of this year’s linemen.
TE Michael Roberts is out of Toledo and is crazy talented and gifted athletically. Lance Zierlein says Roberts has “inconsistent effort from a blocking standpoint” but at 6-foot-4 and 270 lbs. he has all the measurables plus the athleticism to be a very good blocker at the next level. However, Zierlein also points out that Roberts, “Has had over 80 percent of his career catches go for first downs and this season saw 35.5 percent of his catches go for touchdowns,” so there’s a lot to like about him. Michael Roberts had 45 receptions this year for 533 receiving yards with 16 TDs for an, 11.6 yards per reception average. His huge hands, big body, and excellent production make him a great fit for Andy Reid’s offense.
CB Damontae Kazee started out being ranked much lower at the beginning of the offseason. However, I found this diamond in the rough months ago and I have watched him shoot up the draft boards where he is now ranked 108 at DraftTek. Stats show he’s made 15 pass breakups or INTs in his college career but, CBS Sports says he’s too much of a gambler. Sound familiar? He’s quick and fast and a top competitor. He would be a great mid round pick. Here’s what I have written about Kazee previously:
“If you’re wondering if I have come across a steal in the upcoming draft, the answer is yes. He’s a Corner Back from San Diego State and his name is Damontae Kazee and he goes 5-foot-11, 190. Here’s a video of Kazee and he always seems to be in the right place at the right time. He reminds me a little of Eric Berry in college but Kazee has had 15 INTs in the past two seasons. DraftTek has Kazee ranked 105 overall and CBS Sports has him at ranked at 150. I say he’s a second round talent if not higher. I once saw him intercept three passes in a game… and now you can see it too. While Kazee is excellent in coverage he’s equally good against the run and likes to come up and pop runners behind the line of scrimmage if they dare run to his side of the field. Some players have a lot of talent but it needs to be shaped. Some players have talent and are already rounding into shape before they get drafted: that’s Damontae Kazee. Here are his stats. He’s the first player that I have gotten truly excited about in this upcoming draft. Here’s more reading on Kazee: San Diego State’s GoAztecs.com publicity on Damontae Kazee, enjoy!”
RB Samaje Perine was the Oklahoma Sooner’s all-time leading rusher beating out Billy Sims old record. So, I don’t know why he doesn’t get more recognition because he deserves it. With Joe Mixon taking away a good portion of his snaps Perine was guilty by association but he doesn’t deserve that either. Perine is going to make an excellent NFL back and I wish more fans could see that.
OT Roderick Johnson is big and athletic. Are you beginning to sense a theme here. Johnson is 6-foot-7 and 298 and has long limbs which he uses to keep defenders off of him. He will need to learn to keep his hips low and his shoulder pads down but once he is taught that, he should be dynamite.
QB Brad Kaaya has potential. He just needs a place to grow. Many, including me, think he should have gone back to school for one more year. Allow me to — quote someone who is quoting someone else — to illustrate how I feel about Kaaya: here’s Lance Zierlein sharing what an anonymous NFC draft scout has said about Kaaya,
“I really love his mental makeup and I want to like him more as a prospect. I just think someone is going to overdraft the person or the intangibles. At the end of the day, he has to throw with better accuracy and velocity or he’ll be just another guy.”
Here’s a KCKingdom scouting report on Brad Kaaya.
Here’s a piece showing that Kaaya was the most accurate in the skills challenge.
ILB Connor Harris is from Blue Springs. He is short for a middle linebacker but of all the short ILBs, he’s my favorite. Connor plays with great instincts (which, if you’ve noticed, is very important in my evaluations) and he holds the All-Divisions All-time Tackles record in college with total 550 tackles. How can you ignore a guy like that? He may have to come out of games when Anthony Gates is going to need to be covered… but he should be a good fit against the run.
DL Ralph Green III is an interesting and intriguing character. He was once suspended because he got drunk and was trying to open someone’s car door. On the football field, he is “sometimes” a beast. Here’s a video of Indiana vs. Ohio State and Green is wearing #93.
OLB Hunter Dimick is a firecracker. You don’t need a match to set him off, it only takes a whistle. Dimick is 6-foot-3 and goes 272. If he could drop a few pounds and pick up a little speed he could star in the league one day. As it is, he may be too slow to make it all come together. However, Hunter Dimick has 13.5 sacks in 2016 with 19.5 tackles for a loss. Also, Dimick was not a one-year wonder. He had 42.5 tackles for a loss in his college career and 28.5 sacks. Maybe you’d like to see him in action?
If you’re at all like me, you’re thinking, that guy is the Ever-Ready Bunny on speed and the Chiefs HAVE TO HAVE that guy!
Go Chiefs!!!