The Lazy Big Board: Chiefs Targets at CB

The Lazy Big Board:

Chiefs Targets at CB

by Ransom Hawthorne | March 9, 2019

When you want to make your own big board, but you have a day job, and three kids, under seven, you’ve got to get a little bit creative. Maybe “lazy” is the better word. In what’s become a yearly tradition for me, I give you the Lazy Big Board. For those of you not familiar, the Lazy Big Board is the attempt to identify a target, at each position, at every spot where Chiefs have a pick. Every spot, that is, except QB. Chiefs have an elite QB starter and a quality backup, as well as two developmental guys. They don’t need to spend a pick on the position, and I don’t need to waste my time writing an article you won’t want to read. With the Chiefs obvious need for CBs, that’s seems as good a place as any to place our focus.

[Editor’s note: the Lazy Big Board: Chiefs Targets at Safety, which came out yesterday, can be found here].

Pick 29 CB 6‘2” Amani Oruwariye, Penn State 205 lbs: I was initially lukewarm on Oruwariye. Tape made me wonder if he might be a tick slow. He showed up trim, at the combine, and posted solid numbers. He’s a physical CB, who’s at his best jamming receivers at the line of scrimmage. His size, and physicality also make him a good fit for zone, which I think Chiefs will run, a little more, under Spagnuolo. He’s got long arms, and good hands, to make plays on the ball. He’s solid in coverage, though you don’t want him covering speedier guys, for too long. The Chiefs will be looking for a little more from their CBs in the way of run support. Oruwariye is willing and able to contribute there, better than most. With Chiefs building to beat the Pats, ability to impact the run game can’t be ignored when evaluating CBs.

Pick 61 or 63 Justin Layne, Michigan State 6′2” 192 lbs: A little light for his height, but love the way he plays. Tall CB, with long arms and big hands. Instinctive, and sticky in coverage. His top speed is just average, but he’s very fluid. Started out as a WR, so he has a good understanding of routes. Layne is good now, but with a little polishing, he has the upside to be an excellent #2 CB, or a good #1. I considered him for the first round, but Oruwariye offers more in run support right away, and more boards had Layne slipping.

Pick 92 CB Joejuan Williams, Vanderbilt 6‘4” 211 lbs: Williams had a bad combine, but his loss is Chiefs gain. While his top speed isn’t what you’d like to see, it doesn’t negate his tape. Williams has long arms, big hands, and plays aggressively. Spagnuolo has shown willingness to let CBs rove, to improve match-ups. Williams might not ever be able to cover short speedy wideouts, but he’s the perfect player to cover bigger wideouts and athletic TEs. Combine provides context, but if you love a player, you can’t let the numbers take him off your board. I think Williams can be very productive in Chiefs system. He seemed to really enjoy his meetings with them at the combine.

Pick 167 David Long, Michigan 5‘ 11” 196 lbs: Long isn’t a perfect fit for Chiefs scheme. He’s not super tall, and his arms are short but his hands are good size. He makes up for his lack of overall size with a physical, pugnacious game, that is consistent, week to week. He’s not ever going to be an ideal starting CB, but as a depth guy, he’s surprisingly competent and very athletic. Attitude should make him a great fit for STs.

Pick 201 CB Saivion Smith, Alabama 6’1” 199 lbs: Smith is a little bit raw. Started out at LSU, but transferred to a small school when he couldn’t get a starting job. Excelled there, and drew attention from Alabama. Was a starter, on and off, for the Crimson Tide. Smith isn’t the most polished prospect, but he’s got all the tools to be a good press-man CB, with the size to play zone, and contribute in the run game. I like Smith, as a prospect a lot. He has some really good tape. Just needs to work on his consistency and instincts. That will come with time. Think he’ll be an absolute steal late, for whatever team takes him.

Pick 214 or 216 CB Derrick Thomas, Baylor 6’3” 189 lbs: Thomas is a project CB. Doesn’t give the effort, against the run, that you’d like to see. Wiry player who needs to add some weight, to his frame. Fast and explosive. Super long arms, and giant hands. Had some success, in press coverage, despite lacking ideal technique. Former WR who’s still learning the position. If Thomas can add some bulk, without losing any speed, he has the potential to develop into a nasty press corner. If adding strength saps his speed, a little, he’s got the size to get a shot at safety. The biggest key for Thomas will be effort level, as he’ll have to earn his keep on STs. The upside is worth the investment this late in the draft, but don’t expect Thomas to start any time soon.

The combine added more confusion, than clarity, to this year’s CB class. Prospects with the best tape, didn’t test really well, and top testers mostly looked bad on tape. Still, through all the murkiness, several prospects emerge as viable contributors. Layne would be my favorite player to come away with. I think once you work with him a little, he can be a ball hawk, with the length to harass receivers, coming off the line. If the Chiefs were to double dip, at one position, CB has to be it. Fuller is the only proven commodity, on this roster, and he’s a FA next year.

Honorable Mentions

• CB Byron Murphy: the Chiefs aren’t getting Murphy without trading up, but he’s the most NFL-ready CB in the draft.
• The Short CBs: Julian Love, and Mark Fields are good: but I think Chiefs will be locked in on ‘bigger’ prospects.
• Trayvon Mullen: Mullen is a popular first round pick for the Chiefs. He’s got some nice traits, but I felt that Oruwariye was the better pick.
• Kendall Sheffield: Sheffield is a pure athlete, at the position. His technique needs a lot of refining, and he injured his pectoral muscle at the combine but, in the right round, I wouldn’t mind if the Chiefs took a shot on him. I just think he’ll go earlier than he should… once teams see his pro day numbers.

Ransom Hawthorne — ArrowheadOne

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