KC Chiefs 2015 NFL Draft Wish List: Inside Linebackers
Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
The 2015 NFL Draft will be upon us in a matter of days and the KC Chiefs are one of the more unpredictable teams. While it is true that it is hard to predict the exact player a team will go after people usually have a good idea of a group of guys that a team may select. With the KC Chiefs it could almost be anybody.
Leigh Oleszczak compiled a list of the top ten wide receivers the KC Chiefs should target in the draft, and now I have made a list of the top ten inside linebackers for the Chiefs.
Now lets take a look at who we could or should see in a KC Chiefs uniform in 2015.
At six feet tall and 230 pounds Eric Kendricks could be a big force in the middle of the KC Chiefs defense in 2015. Kendricks is a bit undersized compared to Derrick Johnson who is 6’3″ tall and 242 pounds but he would be a great compliment to play next to him.
"Eric is instinctive, aggressive and a more explosive hitter than his frame suggests. Closes quickly and with force. Light on his feet. Has good agility, flexibility and balance, especially as a pass rusher. Has the quickness and fluidity to be effective in coverage. -Courtesy of Dane Brugler and Rob Rang of CBS Sports"
With Johnson specializing in attacking and blowing up the run game it would give Kendricks more of an opportunity to free lance and make plays as well as cover zones. That doesn’t mean that Kendricks is a one dimensional player though. He is more than capable of being effective against the run game.
Kendricks is the top inside linebacker, and 40 best overall prospect in the 2015 NFL Draft according to CBS Sports. Taking Kendricks with the 18th pick in the first round would be considered a reach but he is the best inside linebacker prospect and if the Chiefs feel he is the answer for them they may reach for him.
The best scenario would either be the KC Chiefs trade back and pick him up early in the second round or late in the first round, or he falls to the Chiefs first pick in the second round which is the 49th overall pick.
Next: A Starter In The Second Round