The Lazy Big Board:
Chiefs Targets at DT
by Ransom Hawthorne | March 20, 2019
The Kansas City Chiefs DT, Chris Jones, is probably the 2nd best DT in the National Football League. His raw strength and solid athleticism, paired with is length, make him a handful on every snap. He knifes through the line best, while playing 70-80% of the snaps. Brett Veach has to find a guy who can spell Chris, without a huge drop-off. Here’s some of the best options, in the draft.
Pick 29 DT Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame 6‘6” 295 lbs: Massive DT with long arms and big hands. Freakish strength. When he gets his technique right, blockers are quickly tossed aside. Needs to work on his technique and consistency. An injury may have been limiting him, in 2018, which is crazy, because he still had flashes of dominance. Chiefs need to believe they can coach him up, but if they do, he has Chris Jones type potential.
|
40 Time |
Bench |
Vertical |
Broad |
3-Cone |
20 Shuttle |
|
4.93 |
23 |
32” |
115” |
7.45 |
4.33 |
Pick 61 or 63 DT Renell Wren, Arizona State 6′5” 318 lbs: Mammoth of a man, with a huge frame and long arms. Brute force, is his calling card. Athletic, explosive interior player with traits to be elite. Production hasn’t matched potential, to this point. Still very much a work in progress, from a technique standpoint. I’m not usually a huge fan of projects, but Wren’s ceiling is through the roof, and Chiefs have an excellent coach, in Daly, on the DL. I think they can have him playing, in a depth role, half-way through the year, and wreaking some havoc, by 2020 or 2021.
|
40 Time |
Bench |
Vertical |
Broad |
3-Cone |
20 Shuttle |
|
5.03 |
30 |
32” |
118” |
7.65 |
4.53 |
Pick 92 DT Kingsley Keke, Texas A&M 6‘3” 288 lbs: A little on the smaller side, and his technique needs work, but Keke is a unique player. He’s so fast, in the open field, chasing down QBs, in a way most DL can only dream about. He has some explosiveness, but doesn’t always time up the snap well. Very flexible for a guy his size, and could maybe play on the edge, as a Strong-side End. Think his best value comes as a pass rushing DT, on 3rd and long. He isn’t an obvious fit, for any one position, but he’s the type of athletic, versatile DL, that can be a menace on stunts. I think Daly and Spags can unlock his potential.
|
40 Time |
Bench |
Vertical |
Broad |
3-Cone |
20 Shuttle |
|
4.95 |
None |
31” |
111” |
7.55 |
4.46 |
Pick 167 DT Christopher Slayton, Syracuse 6‘ 4” 307 lbs: Big, strong, interior DL, with long arms and big hands. Explosive first step, and good bull rush. Effort level is a little lax at times so that could be a deal breaker. Traits based selection who can help Chiefs stop the run, and has the upside, to rush the passer, if he puts in the work.
|
40 Time |
Bench |
Vertical |
Broad |
3-Cone |
20 Shuttle |
|
5.13 |
28 |
29” |
101” |
None |
4.73 |
Pick 201 DT Armon Watts, Arkansas 6’5” 300 lbs: Not the fastest, or most explosive athlete, but Watts is stout. He’s already got some tricks up his sleeve as a pass rusher, and is more polished there, than some guys who will go higher. Needs to work on finding the ball. Can end up fighting his blocker and losing the RB. Length and strength project well to the DT spot, and he has a good base, to handle physical OL. Upside is limited, but he can be a solid rotational player early in his career. Good value pick.
|
40 Time |
Bench |
Vertical |
Broad |
3-Cone |
20 Shuttle |
|
5.23 |
None |
None |
None |
None |
None |
Pick 214 or 216 DT Matt Nelson, Iowa 6’8” 295 lbs: Smart DL with future plans to attend Medical School. Good 2-gapping run stopper. Not much of a pass rusher, and he’s little skinny, for his height. If the Chiefs can add a little weight on him, and aren’t worried that he’s got interests beyond football (per Bleacher Report), Nelson could be a steal, late in the draft.
|
40 Time |
Bench |
Vertical |
Broad |
3-Cone |
20 Shuttle |
|
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
The DT group isn’t as deep as we thought it might be, but there are number of interesting options early. There could also be some UDFAs who make an impact for teams, across the league. If Chiefs can’t walk away with Tillery, I’d love for them to snag Watts. I think he’s underrated, and will be a solid contributor, early in his career.
Honorable Mentions at DT
DT Jeffery Simmons: Simmons is coming off an ACL tear. If that drops him all the way to the Chiefs, in the first, I’d gladly take him. I don’t think it does, and I don’t think Chiefs can afford to trade up, to get a player who will miss training camp, but if they did, it might be worth it. He’s an amazing DT prospect.
Ransom Hawthorne — ArrowheadOne
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