The Lazy Big Board:
Chiefs Targets at NT
by Ransom Hawthorne | March 29, 2019
The Kansas City Chiefs drafted their starting NT, Derrick Nnadi, in the 3rd round, last year. They’ve also got his backup around, in Xavier Williams. As such, the position may not be a huge priority for them. However, they could save some money by cutting Williams, or be in the market for some competition, for Nnadi. I doubt NT will be a high priority, but if the Chiefs can find a guy who can take some snaps at DT as well, it might be worthwhile.
Pick 29 NT Dexter Lawrence, Clemson Dame 6‘4” 342 lbs: Mountain of a NT, with long arms and big hands. Versatility, and athleticism to play DT, as well. Pocket wrecking strength, working against a single defender. Not quite as productive as you’d expect, given his traits. More of a run snuffer, than a pass rusher, at this point. Really nice fit for the Spagnuolo’s defense. Can spell both Jones and Nnadi, and offers an immovable object, on obvious run downs, with some upside to do more.
Should the #Chargers target Dexter Lawrence in the #NFLDraft?
How Lawrence stacks up against recent 340-pound nose tackles: https://t.co/TgNASx84hN pic.twitter.com/vuZN2rMuOO
— PFF LA Chargers (@PFF_Chargers) March 26, 2019
If your team struggles vs the run then Dexter Lawrence 6'4" and 342lbs is the definition of a run stuffer that plays the majority of the game in the opponents back field. #DexterLawrence pic.twitter.com/CeresF2GP3
— John Chapman (@JL_Chapman) March 24, 2019
40 Time |
Bench |
Vertical |
Broad |
3-Cone |
20 Shuttle |
5.05 |
36 |
None |
None |
None |
None |
Pick 61 or 63 None
NTs tend to go in the first, or in the 3rd on. Players with special traits can’t be passed on… players without them, shouldn’t be reached on. Many quality players, at the position have come from later rounds. If K.C. doesn’t get Lawrence in the first, and he doesn’t fall to the 2nd, they should be able to wait until the 3rd to get a guy they want.
Pick 92 NT Daylon Mack, Texas A&M 6‘1” 333 lbs: Sturdy built, stocky NT with an explosive first step. Incredible base, and rarely loses ground, because of it. Natural leverage advantage means he’s generally the low man. Conditioning might not be quite what you want. Gets fatigued later in games. Arms are shorter than ideal. Solid run-stuffing NT, who has the explosion and strength to potentially push the pocket, in the future. Can play right away on run downs, but won’t offer much vs the pass.
.@AggieFootball NT @DaylonMack probably jumped 2 rounds with his performance at #seniorbowl. Here he is showing off his initial explosion and brute in-line power vs. Boston College G Chris Lindstrom, who will be a Day 1 starter in the NFL. #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/AYTqDmK7X9
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) February 24, 2019
Daylon Mack v John Keenoy pic.twitter.com/iaf6o72lAx
— Joe Marino (@TheJoeMarino) January 15, 2019
40 Time |
Bench |
Vertical |
Broad |
3-Cone |
20 Shuttle |
5.1 |
30 |
27” |
102” |
8.02 |
4.95 |
Pick 167 NT Trysten Hill, UCF 6‘ 3” 308 lbs: Super explosive player who can play DT on running downs, or NT on obvious passing downs. Great athlete, and an impactful player… when he was on the field. Effort looked solid. Wasn’t an every down player. Strange to see a guy with his talent not force his way into a starting role. You wonder about his coach-ablity.
*cough* @piesmantrophy *cough*
⚔️ Trysten Hill
⚔️ DL
⚔️ 315lbs
⚔️ 1st-career TD at any level of 🏈 pic.twitter.com/1LJR35MZHM— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) October 7, 2018
You need a yard… Christian Wilkins with 10 yards of steam or Trysten Hill taking a FB dive?!
Whole lottaaaa beef. 🚂🚂🚂🚂 pic.twitter.com/0BvQhI0COc
— Ben Fennell (@BenFennell_NFL) March 20, 2019
40 Time |
Bench |
Vertical |
Broad |
3-Cone |
20 Shuttle |
5.04 |
28 |
35” |
115” |
7.7 |
4.38 |
Pick 201 NT Greg Gaines, Washington 6’1” 312 lbs: Gaines lack of length keeps him from a spot higher in the draft, but he’s got some nice traits. Plays hard, and anchors well. Can occasionally get pressure, if he times his first step right. Never going to be a great starter, but he can offer solid depth at NT, and is a guy who doesn’t get easily moved off his spot.
Greg Gaines is stronger than you pic.twitter.com/o6fSAvBeOf
— Magnus Bendixen (@BendixenNFL) March 28, 2019
40 Time |
Bench |
Vertical |
Broad |
3-Cone |
20 Shuttle |
5.16 |
30 |
31” |
109 |
None |
None |
Pick 214 or 216 NT Albert Huggins, Clemson 6′3” 305 lbs: Rotational player in college who’s destined for the same role, in the NFL. Pure run stuffer, with zero pass rush ability. Not very explosive, but he’s strong, and can handle double teams. NT is one of those positions, like RB, or FB, where you can find solid, if uninspiring value, late. For Huggins to ever earn a role, as a starter, he’d need to work on his hand fighting, because he’s not winning with speed, or his first step.
Backups Xavier Thomas and Albert Huggins causing chaos on back to back plays. This roster is just unreal. pic.twitter.com/EFCFVqvoCH
— Tiger Commenter (@TigerCommenter) October 28, 2018
Lmaooo it’s absolutely unreal. The 31-0 night 😏 pic.twitter.com/JAb3v24ZGR
— Ben Boulware (@benboulware7) December 29, 2018
40 Time |
Bench |
Vertical |
Broad |
3-Cone |
20 Shuttle |
5.12 |
35 |
25.5 |
101 |
7.81 |
4.84 |
NT isn’t currently a need for the Chiefs. Later in the draft, you tend to go for the best player available though, so it’s not out of the question. Trysten Hill would be my first choice, due to his versatility and higher ceiling. Lawrence would be a fun addition, but I’m afraid the Chiefs will have higher priorities in the first round.
Ransom Hawthorne — ArrowheadOne
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