Kansas City Chiefs Ransom Hawthorne

The Lazy Big Board: Chiefs Targets at TE

Ransom Hawthorne April 1, 2020 No Comments

The Lazy Big Board: Chiefs Targets at TE – if the Chiefs were planning on adding a dynamic Tight End to the roster, last year would’ve been the year to do it. This year’s class doesn’t have nearly the same athleticism, or polish. While investment at TE shouldn’t be a strong priority, and doesn’t represent a position of great depth, in this draft, there are some players K.C. should be interested in. Investment should be contingent on getting a guy they like at the right spot, though. TE is not a position the Chiefs can afford to reach at.

Pick 32: None

There are no game ready TEs with special talent worthy of a first round pick.

Pick 63: TE/WR Chase Claypool, Notre Dame 6’4” 238 lbs.

Claypool has largely played WR, but his size makes him a good fit for an NFL move TE. He won’t take on DL one on one, but he can hold his own, against Linebackers, as a blocker. Fantastic speed and physicality, at the catch point. He’s not super fluid, but the combination of strength, ball skills, and explosiveness should allow him to carve out a solid role, in this offense. Claypool is a player who could finally take advantage of some of the plays they drew up for Demetrius Harris.

40 Time

Bench

Vertical

Broad

3-Cone

20 Shuttle

4.42

19

40.5

126

None

None

Pick 96: TE Adam Trautman, Dayton 6’ 5” 255 lbs.

Trautman doesn’t have top notch speed, but he’s really fluid and has great size. Natural catching the ball, and with the ball in his hands. He’ll need some time in an NFL weight program to improve his blocking ability, but should thrive in time, as a well rounded TE who can do it all.

40 Time

Bench

Vertical

Broad

3-Cone

20 Shuttle

4.8

18

34.5

114

6.78

4.27

Pick 138: TE Nigel Kilby, Southern Illinois 6‘7” 254 lbs.

If you haven’t heard of Nigel Kilby yet, you will. If Chiefs had to take him higher, to bring him in, I wouldn’t mind. It’s hard to judge Kilby’s tape, against such weak competition, but he reminds me more than I care to admit, of Travis Kelce. Kilby is long, fast, explosive and strong. While he didn’t do agility drills, at his pro day, he looks pretty fluid too. The leap in competition is going to be a lot for Kilby to absorb, but he has the highest upside of any TE in this draft.

40 Time

Bench

Vertical

Broad

3-Cone

20 Shuttle

4.66

18

34.5

126

None

None

Pick 177: TE/FB Josiah Deguara, Cincinnati 6‘2” 242 lbs.

Anthony Sherman won’t be around forever. Deguara offers a guy in a similar mold. He’s a smart, aggressive blocker, with average athleticism. He shows good understanding of the defense in his route running, but doesn’t really offer a ton, other than reliable hands in the passing game. He’s explosive enough to make defenses pay if they don’t respect him though.

40 Time

Bench

Vertical

Broad

3-Cone

20 Shuttle

4.72

25

35.5”

115”

7.15

4.35

Tight Ends Summary

Chase Claypool offers the most immediate impact, but with Travis Kelce in house, it’s doubtful Chiefs make that big of an investment. If Nigel Kilby is available, in the 3rd or 4th round, they should seriously consider taking him. If he can reach anything close to his potential, the Chiefs offense could prove truly unstoppable.

Ransom Hawthorne — ArrowheadOne

Come back at noon (CDT) to read David Bell’s piece called,

“Draft Analysis: Safety, Cornerback and Linebacker”

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