NFL Combine Primer for the Chiefs' Biggest Needs
Let's get familiar with some prospects at positions the Chiefs may want to draft heading into the NFL Combine.
The NFL Combine is off and running in Indianapolis and this is the time where every fanbase really starts to get invested in the draft. Players are going to run fast, jump high, answer hard questions, and medical reports will slip out creating movement in all of those pesky mock drafts.. it’s glorious.
Testing is set to get on it’s way later today with the defensive line and linebackers group starting on-field work at 3PM eastern. The full schedule can be seen here:
The Chiefs have plenty of representation in Indianapolis as they sit down and meet with these prospects. Free Agency hasn’t started - rumors should start coming out soon though - so the Chiefs actual positions of need/interest may change in the coming days. For now, let’s take a look at three positions that the Chiefs currently have significant needs at and look at some players who could really help their stock at the NFL Combine.
NFL Combine Prospects to Watch
Defensive End
Myles Murphy | Clemson
Myles Murphy is expected to be around 6’5”, 275lbs and according to him run near a 4.55 forty yard dash. He also has been recorded with a greater than 10’ broad jump and over 35” vertical while at Clemson. He’s getting very close to Travon Walker level of linear testing numbers and a lot of that shows on the field. The big question will be what does his agility testing look like?
Murphy plays like a powerful, linear rusher but flashes the ability to win up the arc. Is that something he can continue to improve upon or will he mostly be a linear rusher? A below average three-cone time - something over 7 seconds - may push him into the draft range where the Chiefs’ could consider trading up to acquire the talented Clemson rusher.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah | Kansas State
From a Chiefs’ fan perspective, Felix Anudike-Uzomah’s biggest testing metrics will be his measurables. Listed at 6’4”, 255lbs how close is he to those actual numbers and what do his arms measure in as? His play style fits a general mold that the Chiefs often look for in defensive ends but there is a chance he comes in a little on the small side for the Chiefs preferences at the position.
Furthermore, Kansas States’ usage of FAU as a 4i defensive end really limited how often he got to show his true athleticism. It will be interesting to see him get to open up his stride to show his speed in the forty and how fluid he can look during his three-cone or even the on field drills. He has a chance to be one of the biggest risers coming out of this class as the premier speed rusher after Will Anderson.
Zach Harrison | Ohio State
Zach Harrison is another large DE that should check in over 6’5” and over 270lbs. He’s been a good player for Ohio State for a few years now but never quite lived up to the 5 star hype or took that extra step as a pass rusher. He’s big, long, and plays the run well but the upside as a pass rusher is unknown.
Beyond the measured tests, it’ll be important for Harrison to look fluid in some of the on-field drills. His feet can look heavy in some instances and he doesn’t seem to really pin his ears back very often. Without any consideration to playing the run, he could showcase a higher ceiling than currently expected.
Wide Receiver
Quentin Johnston | TCU
Quentin Johnston has a change to put up one of the crazier combines that may go slightly under the radar because he won’t be in contention for the fastest forty time. At 6’4”, 215lbs he is still expected to run in the low 4.4s, vertical jump over 40”, broad jump around 11’, and his agility testing should be great given how fluidly his hips move. All of that will be good and well for Johnston but that’s not how he wins the combine.
He can do the most for himself during on-field work. Showcasing good hands when running routes or the gauntlet drill. Just looking a little more natural when receiving the ball will go a long way in making teams feel more comfortable. He may also be asked to run a bigger variety of routes at the Combine than he did while at TCU so seeing how quickly he picks up on them is important as well.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba | OSU
The Combine may not be more important for any player than it is Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Dealing with a hamstring injury all season, he hasn’t been able to put out much film this past year. Not only does he need to check out medically but he has a host of testing questions that teams would like answered.
Smith-Njigba is listed at 6’1”, 200lbs so being around that size would be helpful. The big question for him is going to be the forty time and if he is fast enough to pose a vertical threat on the outside. He can make up for an average forty time with good jumps or agility testing but if he’s around a 4.6 forty, it could spell a drop for JSN in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Parker Washington | Penn State
Parker Washington is one of the under-talked about prospects in this WR class because of his situation. Playing at Penn State with relatively poor QB play and not being eligible for any of the all-star bowls, he hasn’t really got to put his stamp on the draft process yet. This is his chance to do so but it may also not be the area for him to best do that.
Washington is a strong, physical WR with a massive catch radius but there are some athletic concerns. He’ll come in under 5’11” and with the majority of his experience in the slot, it’ll lead to some questions. That said, if the Penn State Strength and Conditioning magic can rub off on Washington a little bit, he could start to see his name on the move up draft boards. Once people are forced into the tape they’ll like him, but with a high athletic ceiling people will love him.
Offensive Tackle
Anton Harrison | Oklahoma
Anton Harrison is an athletic offensive tackle that on paper looks like he could fit what the Chiefs generally like in the position. They usually covet larger bodied/framed players - Harrison being listed at 6’5” 315lbs is a good start - that have long arms. The NFL likes to use 33” as a minimum for arm length for OTs but Andy Reid and Andy Heck really prefer 34”+.
Harrison appears to have long arms so if he can check that box, he becomes a major option for KC in the first round. Add on what should be a good-great showing in the testing and a top tier testing in on-field drills to boot. He could be one of the biggest risers of the OT group especially considering that he just turned 21 in February.
Jaelyn Duncan | Maryland
Jaelyn Duncan went to the Senior Bowl under 300lbs and it would really be a good thing for him to show the NFL it was a one-off and that he can add weight. He’s a guy that has some issues with his anchor on film so continuing to be undersized during the entire draft process may be a big red flag.
If he can show up with some added mass, then put his name on the “Big Winner” watch list because he may blow the doors off the combine. He’s exceptionally explosive and agile for an OT. He’s the type of OT that should shine at the Combine and make OL coaches believe they can develop him into anything they want based on the physical gifts.
Nick Saldiveri | Old Dominion
Nick Saldaveri has experience starting at RT and RG but was asked to play LG and OC at the Senior Bowl as well. This kind of positional versatility is something the Chiefs have often coveted along the OL and given the current state of their starting OTs and IOL depth, he’s a kind of guy that could plug into various spots. He’s a mid-round prospect that could have a “6th OL” floor with developmental potential to start out at RT.
He should test well at the Combine and has quality size (6’6”, 311lbs with 33 3/8” arms) to boot. He should do a really good job in the rabbit drill where the OL are asked to mirror a coach and if he can show some improvement to his initial kick in his pass set, the NFL may really take notice.
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