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Kansas City Chiefs Scouting Reports: Jaquiski Tartt

By John Viril

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The Kansas City Chiefs have 10 picks in the 2015 NFL draft, and could use help in the secondary in a league that has shifted to expanded secondaries over the last 10 years. Samford’s Jaquiski Tartt is a guy who can easily play a hybrid linebacker/safety role.

However, the KC Chiefs interest will depend on Eric Berry‘s recovery from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

OVERVIEW

The 6’1″ 221 lbs. Jaquiski Tartt is a Division I-FCS product that can play with the big boys. He played single high safety at Samford, but projects as a strong safety in the professional ranks and with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Tartt was a Divsion I-FCS All-American in 2013 and 2014, despite offenses trying to avoid him. Tartt made 277 total tackes, with 6 interceptions, 20 passes defensed, and 6.5 tackles for loss.

NFL.com says that Jaquiski Tartt:

"Gets downhill quickly from high safety to mix it up in run support. Takes good angles to ball carriers and is an aggressive tackler. Willing to play through pain and compete. Fierce competitor.Tartt has terrific size and is a physical tackler but he must show that he can handle coverage responsibilities. Despite playing 2-deep and single-high coverage, Tartt’s size and aggressiveness as a tackler might be best utilized around the line of scrimmage or in a “robber” scheme. Tartt has the size, athleticism and overall talent to be an NFL starter."

More from Chiefs Draft Analysis

CBS Sports notes that Tartt spent many of his high school days playing basketball, and speculates that his best football might be ahead of him. CBS is concerned that he’s not fluid in coverage despite playing as a single high safety at Samford, and is not a guy you want matching up with receivers.

Jaquiski Tartt can get caught peeking into the backfield from his safety position, which can make him vulnerable to play fakes and getting beat over the top.

Tartt is at his best making plays in the middle of the field and behind the line of scrimmage.

Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton could use an aggressive player like Tartt to attack the line of scrimmage in nickel and dime sets.

COMBINE AND PRO DAY RESULTS

Jaquiski Tartt only ran the 40-yard dash (4.53) and did the broad jump (10’4″) at the combine. He performed more drills at his pro day:

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DRAFT PROJECTION

CBS Sports sees Jaquiski Tartt as a second or third round talent, while NFL.com believes he can be had in the third or fourth round.  I think he would be good value for the Kansas City Chiefs at their third-round compensation pick or their fourth round pick. His best role with the Kansas City Chiefs would be as a nickel safety that can help beef up their run defense.

Next: KC Chiefs Scouting Report Central

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