David Bell
We have been dealing with Position Groups and their improvement for 2023. Almost across the board, Laddie, and I, judge the different position groups and how they have improved. In addition, David Ferguson has dipped into the question marks we might put next to a particular player’s name.
I like many of our draft picks, but the first three picks made in the 2023 draft are essentially Veach aces: 1) K. St. Edge Felix Anudike-Uzomah, 2) SMU’s WR Rashee Rice, and 3) OU’s ROT Wanya Morris. The deeper I examined all three players, the more I liked these choices GM Brett Veach has made. All three flashed on tape, have great football IQ, and all three players fit the Chiefs persona. A check box ✅. Therefore, I am using these players as the default group that will improve each of their particular position groups.
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The Second Tier of Draft Picks
Rounds 4-7
I like this group too!
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CB/S, Chamarri Conner, Virginia Tech
Conner’s versatility is essential here. He will also be necessary to Dave Toub’s Special Teams unit. For these reasons, I believe Conner will see extensive snaps on S/Ts and will fit into the secondary with a varied role from Corner back to safety. Conner started 57 of 61 games in his collegiate career, recording 314 tackles (207 solo), 21 TFLs (-110yds), 7.5 sacks (-73yds), four interceptions returned for 20 yards, 23 passes defended, along with a blocked FG attempt. The thing about him that had to be a significant reason for his selection in round four was his willingness to move up and defend against the run and play up in the box as a safety. Conner also demonstrated resilience throughout his time on the field for VA Tech.
It appears that the Chiefs are seeing him as a Cornerback with the versatility to move back to a safety role but also utilizing his hard-hitting up in the box. Charles Goldman highlighted the value of Conner to the secondary and special teams, stating as the season progressed, he would earn more playing time, game to game. Watching his tape, I came away thinking that Conner will be a valuable addition to Merritt’s group of CBs. I keep in mind the value of versatility, and when he is on the field, he can aid in getting L’Jarius Sneed to spots that Spagnuolo and Merritt gain from that flexibility of both Conner and Sneed. I gave Conner a B grade initially, which is probably appropriate. His Football IQ and versatility are the “prime” outlook for Conner. Like last year with the Chiefs secondary picks, I see Conner’s star rising.
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Edge, BJ Thompson, Stephen F. Austin
It is difficult to appraise Thompson because he originates in a smaller college environment, albeit in my geographic locale. I don’t know why he dropped down to SFA from Baylor, but he recorded good numbers, and as a round-five pick (#166), he is going to be developmental. On the other hand, a couple of years ago, the Chiefs drafted Joshua Kaindoh, who has shown us little of being worthy of a roster spot. You have to like his testing as reflected in the RAS below:
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This is a top drawer RAS and the reason that Thompson is a Chief. He needs a weight training program to gain muscle weight for the edge which is why I posit that he will be a PS assignee. If he can build to 255 or something like that, he could figure in after a year in development time.
Physical Metrics:
HEIGHT: 6’5 3/4″ – WEIGHT: 243*
HAND: 10 1/8″ – ARM: 34 5/8″ – WINGSPAN: 82 1/2″
Performance Metrics:
40-YARD DASH: 4.61
3-CONE: 7.06
SHUTTLE: 4.46
VERTICAL: 37.5″
BROAD: 10’5″
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You have to appreciate BJ’s size and length, sans his weight*. However, he is too, light in the britches for the NFL. He has great length though with a top arm length and arm span.
On the field, he performs well with the ability to round the edge or set up pass-rush moves to get squared to the QB. He also boasts quickness, agility and has a spin move and the beginning of a rip-dip move. This is all impressive. What’s lacking, as noted, is the bulk to be effective in the NFL (at least in year one).
Thompson recorded 20.0 sacks in three (3) seasons (2020-22) at SFA. In 2022, he had five sacks, and 25 tackles(6+ were TFL). Thompson also forced 3 fumbles. That is important to his future with the Chiefs. So, give him to DL Coach Joe Cullen and get him aboard. For Thompson, it’s a wait-and-see how he fits and develops.
If Josh Kaindoh or Malik Herring don’t get in gear, one of them could lose their roster spot.
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DT, Keondre Coburn, UT
Admittedly, Coburn was a confusing pick for me. I would have thought the Chiefs would go for a more athletic DT than I thought Coburn to be. However, the examining tape had me shift my view of Coburn. I see him as a challenger to DT. Danny Shelton, who could win out in competition between the two for the NT Type role for the Chiefs. At that point, as a draft pick, if it’s an even result in camp, I’d expect Cullen to want to retain Coburn over Shelton. Keeping both would be a strength.
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All things said and done, Coburn is a good fit for the 1-tech-3-tech role. His academic record speaks for his intelligence and football IQ –> he earned Academic All-Big 12 First Team honors in 2021. Right now, Danny Shelton is under contract for 2023, but not beyond, and though when Shelton came out of college I thought he would be a far more powerful NT, he hasn’t lived up to his pre-draft hype.
So, I’d say Coburn will make the roster and fit well in Joe Cullen’s interior mix, so as you can see, my view of Coburn’s ability to contribute has shifted to the positive side of the ledger over the past few weeks.
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CB, Nic Jones, Ball St.
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CB Nic Jones brings much to the table, similar to Chamarri Conner. He is a tough hombre, a willing tackler, and has speed. The thing that intrigues me is comparing him to guys on the UDFA list — > the Chiefs Scouts liked what they saw, which made him Veach’s 7th-round pick. Jones is another academic honoree, so we know we’re getting a knowledgeable player. In his time at Ball St, Jones played in 37 games from 2019-to-22, notching up 64 tackles (49 solo), one TFL, three INTs, 22 PDs, and… he blocked two kicks. He was also on the S/T as a return man.
Jones’s overall stats are admirable, and his ability to play inside or out as a CB was possibly the attractor that Veach & Co. saw in him. That versatility bodes well for his future on the roster but, let’s not forget, he is a 7th-round draft pick.
Here is his RAS matrix. It’s not all peaches and cream, but it’s good.
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Image credits above from Chiefs Wire and RAS!
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On to the Nitty Gritty – the UDFAs! Heaven Knows Mr. Allison! Here is what I think will happen with the list of players with a shot to make at least the PS.
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UDFA #1: RB, Deneric Prince, Tulsa
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Tulsa World Photo
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From Marc Narducci at Herosports.com comes:
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“Deneric Prince is my first candidate and maybe the biggest reach in any on this projection list. He has a great size to add to the Chief’s RB room. He is 5-11”, 216 pounds. Prince ran a 4.41-40 at the scouting combine, which is excellent speed. What I see is the ability to expand on his college numbers, but first, he needs to blend in with Isiah Pacheco and CEH, which I think we will see him accomplish in training camp. Prince’s 2022 numbers were 729 yards rising on 126 carries, scoring five TDs. He also had nine catches for 84 yards and a TD in the aerial game. “
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Marc Narducci at Hero Sports goes on:
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“This may be a long shot for the active roster, but he will at least be retained on the PS. I doubt he would be poached if that were to happen. Here is what Brett Veach had to say about Deneric Prince: “…as far as (Deneric) Prince, he’s a guy that we’re excited about… He’s a big kid that can really run. He ran one of the fastest 40 times at the Combine (and he) has done a good job over the years of working on the passing game. So he’s again, another talented kid that we’re excited to bring in here.”
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Adding Prince to the RB room could be a boon for the Chief’s ground game. I look forward to seeing him in training camp. Among the RBs at the combine, Prince had the highest RAS score of them all.
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UDFA #2: CB, Ekow Boye-Doe, Kansas State
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KCUR photo credit – Ekow Boye-Doe
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This is another longer-shot player, but you can, as is often said, never have too many DBs. Boye-Doe strutted some stuff at K-State and showed well in the Chiefs rookie mini-camp so now it’s on to the OTA proving ground for him. The thing you can’t really affect with coaching is ‘Speed’ and Boye-Doe has it (4.38). His weight is the only negative from the RAS.
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UDFA #3: OL,Anderson Hardy, Appalachian St.
Like other talented undrafted free agents, I can see keeping Hardy around, at least on the PS. Training up Offensive linemen fully utilizes Andy Heck’s experience in training the OL Players. I watched some tapes of Hardy and he looks like a plausible retaining but it will be to the PS.
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App St Mountaineer Hardy – Above and Below – I like the possibility
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Anderson Hardy – App State Mountaineer (above and below)
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One big thing I really like about Hardy is his coach-ability. Sure, he is coming out of a lesser collegiate career, but size and tape tell me he is worth the consideration for the Chiefs, albeit a training up phase by OL Coach Andy Heck and a probable PS assignment for his first year. With guys like this, the Chiefs need to worry that other teams are watching what the Chiefs do with their player assignments because as far as OTs go, the NFL reality about injuries and player theft is a reality K.C. will face.
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UDFA #4: IOL, Jeremy Cooper, Cincinnati
Cooper is a must-mention! He’s a big Cincinnati Interior Offensive Lineman and the Chiefs have a definite connection with Bearcat Football. I can see him being retained for the PS as well.
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Bearcat photo – Cooper Looks the part – IOL
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Like Hardy above, Cooper checks a bunch of boxes. ✅His size (6-foot-4, 325 lbs.), ✅his physicality and ✅power… all catch one’s attention. Cooper is a candidate for the future, but I’d hate to lose him to another team if the Chiefs retain him to the PS.
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UDFA #5: LB, Cam Jones, Indiana
This is a player I truly like. He has uphill competition with perhaps the best LB crew in the NFL, but again, he struts tough stuff and I believe he will make the Chiefs PS. What’s not to like about Jones? He is a Fiery LB.
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IU LB Cam Jones with a big hit
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As his RAS shows, he has the speed that the Chiefs desire for their LB –> side-line-to-side-line speed. We’ll see where this goes, but I am pretty sure that Jones will make the PS, at the very least.
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UDFA #6: WR, Nikko Remigio, Cal and Fresno St.
Pronunciation –> knee-CO ruh-me-HEE-o
One of our “sometimes” authors is hyped about Remigio. I can’t say that I feel as top heavy as our author about his chances, but I do believe that Remigio will be retained to the PS. He checks a bunch of boxes – fast, quick, the right fit for the Chief’s personality check. No one is going to be looking for him so let’s get him into camp and see where it goes! The RAS results show why Remigio was not drafted but also shows his potential. I am adding him to the list in deference to the view of one of our authors. The thing about him was he upped his stats as a 5th year player at Fresno St. (he’ll turn 24 in late November this year), and that is worth considering. His totals were 852 yards, with 5 TDs.
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SIDEBAR: Teams can protect players on the PS as per prior years and can now place veterans on that list as well. It once again can be called a true “Taxi Squad.”
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Finale! Who, among all the UDFAs will make the Active Roster? I’d wager money on Chiefs 2022 UDFA, Justyn Ross!
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..Clemson Game Photo – Justyn Ross in Action!
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WR, Justyn Ross, Clemson
I am not going to belabor the point, but I have a great deal of faith that WR Justyn Ross will be at least the 6th WR retained by the Chiefs. He had two negatives affecting him –> the neck fusion and the foot injury. Other teams shied away from him, but Veach brought him aboard in 2022. He had surgery because his foot was not right so he sat out a year. I firmly believe that the situation with his neck made other teams look in another direction. This fact alone was the reason for Brett Veach to take action. I have watched workout material on Ross, and at this point I see the former “Cream-of-the-crop” type WR rising to the occasion.
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I cannot see this Ross going to the PS and then lasting beyond the first day. WR Justyn Ross will be retained by the Chiefs or he will suffer a severe hangnail and go the IR. I am buying the stock that Ross will finally emerge in the NFL in 2023.
Justyn Ross has now had a full year in the Andy Reid playbook and has had time working with Patrick Mahomes. I posted an article that referenced the difficulty of any UDFA making an active roster and that should temper all of our expectations. Ross has the best shot among all UDFAs to make the active roster. I cannot see him going to the PS and lasting beyond the first day.
Here is what Patrick Mahomes had to say about Justyn Ross. saying that Ross was fully healed and was working his tail off. Mahomes observed about Ross:
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“Yeah, I mean, the talent is through the roof. I think anyone can see that. He’s getting better and better. Even though he wasn’t active all year he was in the building and he was able to see the guys and how we do things. Listening and being in the meetings and some of the stuff like that. I’m excited for him, man. To be able to get out there and get the reps in practice, get the little fine details that we like to do in this offense.”
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If Mahomes is excited about the Ross Project, then so am I!
I didn’t include the RAS for Justyn Ross since his participation was coming to the test with injuries affecting him in 2022, so it’s only fair to mention that his RAS grade was “Poor.”
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Summary
There is a lot of talent in the latter group, and the Chiefs will retain the best among them. There is a ton of talent among the UDFAs in camp and that raises the question: will there be veterans displaced by an incoming draft pick or a UDFA? Who knows what is possible at this point, as the team approaches the OTAs starting today.
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David Bell — ArrowheadOne
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