The Lazy Big Board: Chiefs Targets at RB

The Lazy Big Board:

Chiefs Targets at RB

Ransom Hawthorne | April 17, 2019

Last year, the Kansas City Chiefs looked like they’d be set at RB, for years to come. Kareem Hunt was elite, Darrel Williams was promising, and Spencer Ware was back. Fast forward, to this year, Hunt is gone, and you’re down to Darrel and Damien with Carlos Hyde added in free agency, to help share the load, but he’s just on a one year deal. While the RB position isn’t as valuable as it once was, a lot of production still comes from the position, especially in a pass catching role. For a team that carried 5 RBs to start the year, in 2018, don’t be surprised to see another taken, at some point, during the draft.

Pick 29 – None: Some may point to the New England Patriots acquisition of Sony Michel last year as proof that taking RBs in the first round still makes sense. That may be true if you have an old QB whose arm you have to protect, and a great defense. The Chiefs have a young gun slinger and an awful defense. Picking a RB in the first round makes zero sense for this team and I’d be astonished to see it happen.

Pick 61 or 63 – None: For the Chiefs to spend a 2^nd round pick here, I’d need to see a dynamic pass catcher fall. While this draft is deep, at RB, there’s not a whole lot of Christian McCaffery types (RB selected 8th overall in 2017). Just don’t see the value.

Pick 92 – RB Miles Sanders, Penn State 5‘11” 211 lbs: Good all around back. Speed to eat up yards, and explosive, off the line. Decent vision and balance. Did it all at Penn State, including running routes, and pass protection. Should be an NFL ready starter. Sanders is similar style of back to Chiefs’ starter, Damien Williams, so the play-calling doesn’t have to change, when he gets on the field.

Pick 167 – RB Dexter Williams, Notre Dame 5‘ 11” 212 lbs: Maybe the best athlete, at the RB position, in the entire draft. Excellent ball security and great vision. Pass protection needs some work, from a technique standpoint, but the effort is there. Upside to be an elite NFL player. Missed some time in college due to injury, but it’s not a serious concern. Perhaps the bigger question is Williams’ character. He was suspended from the team, at one point for a rules violation. He was also arrested for Marijuana possession. Chiefs spoke extensively to Williams, at the combine. If they feel he’s reformed, he could be a HUGE steal later in the draft. Maybe even someone Veach decided to trade up for, if they’re not sure he’ll make it this far.

Pick 201 – RB Devine Ozigbo, Nebraska 6‘ 230 lbs: Big bruising back, with great balance and drive. Experienced in pass protection. Most targets, as a receiver have just been in the flat, so he’ll have some work to do there. Unselfish player, who did a lot of blocking for his teammates. Could potentially play FB. Like Ozigbo’s attitude. Doesn’t mess around. Most of his carries end with him dragging a couple tacklers for an extra yard, or two. He’s not overly elusive, but he has enough wiggle for Chiefs zone defense. Did not get an invite to the combine.

Pick 214 or 216 – RB Jordan Scarlett 5’11” 210 lbs: Productive SEC RB, who’s experienced in pass protection. Makes good cuts. Excellent balance makes him tough to bring down. Nice top speed, when he breaks free. Limited experience, and success as a receiver. Hands are not reliable. Doesn’t always see the blocks develop, the way you would like. Significant character concerns, including marijuana and credit card fraud. Scarlett has great talent, but he needs polishing, and maybe baby-sitting. Late in the draft, taking a risk like this can pay off big, if it doesn’t, the investment is minor.

This is a good RB class. It’s not quite as dynamic as the 2017 draft, but there are still plenty of solid options. If Chiefs take one, I would guess they’ll take Williams. Aside from their love of RBs named “D. Williams”, he’s a great fit for their offense, with the athleticism to add another dimension to the passing game. I think his character concerns are less significant than Scarlett’s, and he’s not as beat up, as most college backs, with a low career carry count. Chiefs have been pretty good at scouting backs, and will also be an attractive destination for UDFAs. I think they can get significantly better, at the position, without investing too much.

Honorable Mentions at RB

Darwin Thompson, Utah State: Thomas is an excellent back, with some similarities to Phillip Lindsay. He’s not quite the size Chiefs usually go for, but expect them to be interested if he goes undrafted.

Ryquell Armstead, Temple: Armstead would make a great 5^th round pick, as a pure runner. His pass protection and ability to run routes puts him behind Williams, who is also a better all around athlete, but, with some polishing, Armstead will be a good player, in his own right.

Bryce Love, Stanford: Love is coming off a recent ACL tear. I ‘Love’ his athleticism and competitive spirit. I think he’ll probably go in the 4^th round, but, if he’s there in the 5^th, Chiefs should seriously consider taking him, even though he won’t be able to contribute right away. Love was thought to be a potential first round pick, before injuries derailed his final season, at Stanford.

Ransom Hawthorne — ArrowheadOne

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