Kansas City Chiefs Ransom Hawthorne

The Lazy Big Board: Chiefs Targets at Linebacker

Ransom Hawthorne April 11, 2020 No Comments Gallery

The Lazy Big Board: Chiefs Targets at Linebacker – the Kansas City Chiefs are in an interesting position at Linebacker. Good or bad, Anthony Hitchens is locked in for the foreseeable future. Damien Wilson has shown some good things in a limited role. Outside of that, the Chiefs really have a bunch of question marks, including a particularly gaping holes at Middle Linebacker (MIKE or ILB) as well as Weakside Linebacker (WILL). While Dorian O’Daniel has the potential to fill that role because of his speed, after a year in Spagnuolo’s system, it’s troubling that he rarely saw the field in 2019 with only 5 defensive snaps. So, the Chiefs are likely in the market for a great coverage linebacker in the draft. There may not be a multitude of such players available, but, if they’re willing to spend a first or second round pick, they should be able to come away with a significant upgrade at the position. With limited depth at the other linebacker spots, K.C. also shouldn’t overlook developmental prospects, as the draft wears on.

Pick 32: WILL/MIKE, Kenneth Murray

Oklahoma, 6’2” 241 lbs.

Perfect fit as a WILL or ILB, in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense. Speed and fluidity to thrive in coverage, though very little experience with it, in college. Not lacking in physicality. Can fill gaps and shed blocks. Super explosive player who makes his presence felt all over the field.

40 Time

Bench

Vertical

Broad

3-Cone

20 Shuttle

4.52

21

38

129

None

None

Pick 63: WILL/MIKE, Jordyn Brooks

Texas Tech, 6’0’’ 240 lbs.

Brooks has all the physical traits you look in a versatile coverage linebacker. Unfortunately, he has very little experience in that area. Instincts are a little bit of a work in progress. Fast, physical player with elite upside, but there’s a lot of technique work to do.

40 Time

Bench

Vertical

Broad

3-Cone

20 Shuttle

4.54

None

None

None

None

None

Pick 96: SAM/MIKE, Logan Wilson

Wyoming, 6’2” 241 lbs .

The Chiefs have retained Damien Wilson this year, but may want to find a younger cheaper, replacement for next year. Enter Logan Wilson. Wilson is versatile and can play either the SAM or MIKE spot. Really smart player who should quickly digest Spags’ defense. Just average speed, but he’s fluid enough to be a significant upgrade in coverage, over the Chiefs existing options. Sound tackler who could play early on, if Chiefs need him. If no other options pan out for WILL, he could potentially step into that role without being a major liability.

40 Time

Bench

Vertical

Broad

3-Cone

20 Shuttle

4.63

21

32

121

7.07

4.27

Pick 138: WILL, Davion Taylor

Colorado, 6’0’’ 228 lbs.

Rare athlete with speed to burn and fluidity to match. Fantastic man coverage option for RBs or TEs. Taylor’s ceiling is as high as any prospect in this class, but he could take multiple years to show it. Raw, even for a college player, instincts are missing and technique is a work in progress. He hasn’t been playing LB long, and appears to be getting better, but he’s got a long road ahead of him. Should be an excellent STs player.

40 Time

Bench

Vertical

Broad

3-Cone

20 Shuttle

4.49

21

35

127

6.96

4.26

Pick 177: MIKE/WILL, Mohamed Barry

Nebraska, 6‘1” 235 lbs.

Pretty good athlete for his size. Hard charger who gives consistent effort. At this point, he looks a lot more comfortable attacking the line of scrimmage, than out in coverage, but he shows potential in that area too. Short arms really hurt his draft stock, and make it difficult for him to make tackles when he takes too aggressive of an angle. Mold-able young man with good football character. The Chiefs will need to decide what he does best and develop him there. Might work as a big WILL, but if he can’t operate a little quicker, in coverage, he might do better as a MIKE. Should offer excellent STs value in the meantime.

40 Time

Bench

Vertical

Broad

3-Cone

20 Shuttle

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Summary: Linebackers 

The Chiefs appear to have a pretty big hole at the WILL linebacker position and the draft isn’t exactly flush with replacements. Taking Murray in the first round, might be the best solution but, with other needs, they may have to settle for a developmental guy, like Davion Taylor. Damien Wilson is in the final year of his contract, so finding a future SAM linebacker, like Logan Wilson, might not be a bad investment. K.C. may need to rely on LB coach Matt House’s ability to maximize talent, as a major addition at LB could prove elusive in this draft.

Ransom Hawthorne — ArrowheadOne

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