Kansas City Chiefs Scouting Report: Jack Conklin
By Scott Dillon
The last time the Kansas City Chiefs drafted a tackle from the state of Michigan there were mixed results. Could it go better this time around?
Eric Fisher really struggled at left tackle over his first two seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. It wasn’t until last season that he actually started to play the position with some authority. He punctuated his improved season by getting rough with J.J. Watt in Wild Card Weekend. That’s just the kind of toughness that may help save his career.
In all honesty, Eric Fisher may be better suited as the right tackle than the left tackle. While he’s shown improvement at left tackle, he scores higher marks from the right tackle position according to Pro Football Focus.
Drafting a player like Jack Conklin would give the Chiefs two gritty players from the state of Michigan on the edge of the offensive line. He’s a tough player and plays with a tenacity that helps him play up to a higher level of competition. It’s one of the reasons KC Kingdom drafted him in the first round of this mock draft.
Combine Results
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- 40-yard dash – 5.00 seconds*
- Bench press – 25 reps
- Broad jump – 103.0 inch
- 3-cone drill – 7.63 seconds
- 20-yard shuttle – 4.57 seconds
*=Top Performer
Combine results courtesy of NFL.com
NFL.com had the following to say about this NFL prospect:
"“That is a dude, right there. He was busting up Ohio State in the fourth quarter of that game not because he was more talented than those guys but because he just wanted it more. He’s tougher than old beef jerky. He fits in our division.” — NFC North scout"
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CBS Sports has Conklin ranked as their third best offensive tackle and as the 19th best player overall. If he can fall to the Kansas City Chiefs, who are picking in the 28th spot, then he could be a good grab.
Conklin could be a project at the left tackle position but that may be just fine. Eric Fisher may actually be starting to figure things out from the left side of the offensive line. That would allow Conklin to step in and have an immediate impact from the right side of the line.
If Conklin develops quickly, he could switch to left tackle if Eric Fisher is struggling. His good work ethic should translate into a player who can be flexible and isn’t going to make excuses.
With Donald Stephenson most likely on the way out via free agency, the Chiefs will have a need for an offensive tackle. They could also look to free agency to fill that hole, but the draft figures to be a less expensive alternative. They do have other free agents set to depart when free agency kicks off tomorrow afternoon and they’ll need as much cap room as possible to retain some of their key players.
Next: Chiefs Make Shocking First-Round Pick In This Mock Draft
Would you want the KC Chiefs to select Jack Conklin in the 2016 NFL Draft? Will he even be available for the Chiefs to select?