Marqise Lee, Wide Receiver: Kansas City Chiefs Scouting Report
Aug 29, 2013; Honolulu, HI, USA; Southern California Trojans receiver Marqise Lee (9) carries the ball against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors at Aloha Stadium. USC defeated Hawaii 30-13. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Marqise Lee had an impressive three year career with USC. Lee finished his Trojan days with 248 receptions for 3,655 yards and 29 touchdowns. Lee would be an excellent selection for the Chiefs in the 2014 NFL Draft, as Kansas City desperately needs a second reliable receiver opposite Dwayne Bowe.
Marqise Lee Combine Results
40-yard dash – 4.52 seconds
Vertical jump – 38.0 inch
Broad jump – 127.0 inch*
20-yard shuttle – 4.01 seconds
* = Combine top performer
(Courtesy of NFL.com)
While Lee’s final year at USC wasn’t the best, his 2012 performance proves how much potential this guy has. In 2012, Lee finished the season with 118 receptions for 1,721 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Chiefs could really use a dominant wide receiver like Lee.
NFL.com says that Lee,
"“Is a nifty runner after the catch — can navigate through traffic and create with the ball in his hands. Can shift into top gear and run by tacklers — terrific acceleration and short-area burst. Fine route runner — understands how to set up defensive backs and has an innate feel for coverage.”"
The Chiefs need this type of talent on their squad. There were times last season when poor Alex Smith didn’t have a lot of dependable receivers to throw the ball to. If Lee becomes a Chief, he’d be able to make big plays and get a lot of extra yardage for the offense.
NFL.com continues on saying that Lee,
"“Tracks the deep ball very well — has a knack for running underneath it. Attacks the ball and plucks it out of the sky. Very good competitive, functional playing speed.”"
It’s great to read that Lee has the ability to catch deep balls. Smith took a lot of flack last season for not throwing deep balls. With a guy like Lee out on the field, Smith would feel a lot more confident knowing he has a guy who is great at making those type of plays.
CBSSports.com ranks Marqise Lee as the third best wide receiver and 15th best overall player in this year’s draft. The Chiefs have been linked to drafting Lee numerous times so this is something that could really happen for Kansas City. Bleacher Report states,
"“I can’t find a scenario where Lee is on the board past the 23rd selection, where the Chiefs are predicted to draft.Running back Jamaal Charles led the Chiefs in receiving yards last season, and although Dwayne Bowe is a strong No. 1 receiving option, the Chiefs have no other receiver they can depend on.”"
The only thing that worries me about Lee is that he tends to get bitten by the injury bug a lot. As a result, he finished his last year at USC with only four touchdowns.
If Lee can stay healthy, he’d make a great addition to the Chiefs offense.
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