The Lazy Big Board: Chiefs Targets On The Edge

The Lazy Big Board:

Chiefs Targets On The Edge

by Ransom Hawthorne | April 2, 2019

With the loss of Justin Houston and Dee Ford, an Edge rusher has become one of the biggest needs for the Chiefs. They added a quality starter, in Alex Okafor, but more investment is certainly still needed (even with the signing of Emmanuel Ogbah).

For once, the draft has actually fallen their way. This year’s class is chuck full of talent, at the DE position. Whether the Chiefs stay put, or trade up, they should be able to take a player who might usually be out of reach. Barring a massive trade up, for a guy like Allen, here’s who Chiefs should be after.

Pick 29 EDGE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson 6‘4” 264 lbs: Length, strength, and burst off the line, and in a normal draft, Ferrel could be a top 10–15 pick. This year, after skipping the 40 and explosion drills at the combine, and not working out at his pro day due to a toe injury, he could fall clear to the Chiefs at #29. They shouldn’t count on that though, and I believe that Veach will make a trade up, in the first, to ensure they get him. Ferrell is a prototypical 4-3 DE who can dominate, against the run, and rush the passer. He’s not the best athlete in the draft, but he’s perfect for Chiefs scheme. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a glaring weakness, in his game. Ferrell is my #1 overall prospect, for the Chiefs.

Pick 61 or 63 EDGE Charles Omenihu, Texas 6′5” 280 lbs: Omenihu is a huge, chiseled athlete. Long arms, and strong hands. Playing in the Big 12, he got by on his physical traits, a lot. Technique is still a work in progress, though he’s definitely more advanced than Kpass was, coming out. He lacks ideal speed. He’ll be a good pass rusher, who can crush the pocket, and set the edge, but don’t expect him to chase down mobile QBs. In the second round, he’s a steal, and the K.C. coaching staff can absolutely get the best out of him.

Pick 92 EDGE Anthony Nelson, Iowa 6‘7” 271 lbs: Lanky college edge rusher, with long arms and some quality pass rush moves. Play strength looks like it might be a little less than ideal. Not the most explosive guy, off the ball. He can sometimes get locked in a battle with his blocker and lose track of the RB. That said, Nelson’s technique is more refined than some of the guys who will go ahead of him. If the Chiefs can add some good weight to his frame, he has a chance to be a solid rotational DE, who’s size, and length, and make him a hand-full, coming off the edge. High character football guy who will come in and do the work to get better.

Pick 167 Maxx Crosby, Eastern Michigan 6‘ 5” 255 lbs: Freak athlete with some serious fluidity to him. Could potentially convert to linebacker, if he can’t easily put on weight. Despite his height, not the longest, or strongest guy. Technique is a work in progress. Purely projection based pick, who will play STs, his first year, and hope to bulk up, for 2020, in hopes of earning a rotational role. Ceiling is very high, but his floor is pretty low.

Pick 201, 214 or 216 None: This is the NFL. Edge rushers cost big money. Bottom line, if you have any chance of making an impact, as an edge, you’re not going in the 6^th round, or later. The Chiefs would do better to focus on positions like WR, RB, or NT, late in the draft.

With the signing of Alex Okafor, K.C. has a little more flexibility on edge, but I still expect them to address the position with either their 1^st, or 2^nd pick. Since I think CB is even more important… and I love Charles Omenihu… I’d like to see the board fall that way. That said, Clelin Ferell is a great fit and could step in and start right away, so he’s probably the smarter pick.

Edge Honorable Mentions

Chase Winovich: I love Winovich’s tenacity and attitude. He’s a good pass rusher, who plays with great athleticism. I’d consider taking him in the first round, but Ferell is a much better scheme fit, so he gets the nod.

Ransom Hawthorne — ArrowheadOne

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