Kansas City Chiefs Scouting Report: Trae Waynes

The Kansas City Chiefs have 10 total picks in the 2015 NFL Draft, as well as four compensatory picks. They hold the 18th overall pick in the draft, and it’s still a mystery as to what the team will do what that particular pick. The main area of concern is in the secondary, and I would like to see the Chiefs draft a cornerback in the first round. While he might be off the board by then, Trae Waynes is the best cornerback available in this year’s draft.

Trae Waynes played for three years with the Michigan State Spartans. During that span, he had 101 tackles, 13 defended passes, and six interceptions. He also had one and a half sack in his three year career.

Combine Results

40-yard dash – 4.31 seconds*
Bench press – 19 reps*
Vertical jump – 38.0 inch
Broad jump – 122.0 inch
3-cone drill – 7.06 seconds
20-yard shuttle – 4.39 seconds

* = Combine top performer

Pro Day Results

20-yard short shuttle – 4.19 seconds

Results courtesy of NFL.com

Right now at cornerback, the Chiefs have Sean Smith, Marcus Cooper, Phillip Gaines, and Jamell Fleming. Ron Parker will likely play at safety, in the absence of Eric Berry. We all know that Smith had a terrific year last year, so hopefully that happens again. As for the rest of the guys, Cooper struggled during his second season, Gaines was a rookie who showed promise, and Fleming was a surprisingly effective corner.

I didn’t think anyone had a better combine than (Trae Waynes). He was faster than I thought and looked great in the drills. He’s the top corner and I don’t think it’s close. — NFC director of personnel (NFL.com)

I would love to see the Chiefs go after Trae Waynes in this draft because he would certainly be the answer in that second cornerback slot. The bad news is that Waynes is projected to be off the board long before the Kansas City Chiefs are on the clock.

The four CBS Sports draft analysts all have Waynes being gone by at least the 15th overall pick. Dane Brugler predicts he’ll go 11th overall to the Minnesota Vikings, Rob Rang predicts the New Orleans Saints will take him at 13th (if the Chiefs can’t get him, please let this scenario happen), Pete Prisco thinks he’ll land with the Miami Dolphins with the 14th overall pick, and Will Brinson has him going to the San Francisco 49ers 15th overall.

"He’s a bump-and-run cornerback with the length, deep speed and confidence to handle himself down the field against speed. Waynes plays too handsy for NFL officials and that could show up on Sundays. His 4.31 40, smooth hips and overall fluidity displayed at the combine could make him a much earlier pick in the draft than previously projected. Waynes carries a very high ceiling.– Lance Zierlein of NFL.com"

I sadly haven’t seen Trae Waynes mocked to the Chiefs once during the off season, which is a bummer. He would fit in great to a team that had one of the best defenses in the league last year. Zierlein, quoted above, compares Waynes to Antonio Cromartie of the New York Jets, who has had great success in the NFL.

If the Kansas City Chiefs could get a young Antonio Cromartie in their secondary, the defense would officially be one of the scariest for the 2015 season.

Next: Offensive Lineman Scouting Report Central

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