The Lazy Big Board: Chiefs Targets at NT

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 3^rd 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.

Pick 61 or 63 None

NTs tend to go in the first, or in the 3^rd 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 2^nd, they should be able to wait until the 3^rd 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.

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.

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.

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.

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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