2017 NFL Draft Kansas City Chiefs Scouting Report: Brad Kaaya
By Ben Almquist
There is a lot of speculation about the Kansas City Chiefs selecting a quarterback in the 2017 NFL Draft. Brad Kaaya of Miami could be that player.
The Kansas City Chiefs are in excellent position to draft a quarterback if they so choose. However, in a class that doesn’t feature much in top end talent, it may be wiser to pick a guy a little later. If that is the path John Dorsey chooses, I would have to think that Brad Kaaya of Miami is a name he’s got circled.
This is a situation the Chiefs seem to find themselves in quite a bit. There is certainly a need for a young quarterback to take the team into the future. However, the options being presented are less than ideal. There is no quarterback in this class who appears ready to step on the field as a rookie. Fortunately, Alex Smith gives the Chiefs some time to develop one.
Of course, if the Chiefs are going to take a quarterback with the intent of developing him behind Alex Smith, doing it in the first or second round may not make sense. There are a lot of very good players in this draft. It would be tough to pass on some of them for a guy who won’t play for a couple of years.
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However, the Kansas City Chiefs do have a strong roster already. So it is altogether possible that this is the year of the quarterback in KC. Lord knows that the fan base is ready for it. Then again, maybe this is a year to pass on quarterbacks in general, or a year to take one in the middle rounds to work with.
Jim Miller on Brad Kaaya: Thats a guy you can develop! Clean footwork, makes ALL the throws... Kirwan: I'd like to have him on MY team
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) March 4, 2017
Brad Kaaya – QB – Miami
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There was no quarterback prospect in the league that I was more excited for at the beginning of last season than Brad Kaaya. The quarterback from Miami had demonstrated a lot of promising traits and talents. However, as the year wore on, Kaaya slipped further and further down the draft board.
Brad Kaaya is one of the most natural passers you will see. A smooth throwing motion with a strong understanding of ball placement. Kaaya reads defenses and has experience under center and in the huddle. Shows the ability to manipulate the pocket and extend plays. Can make every throw on the field and shows the wherewithal to check down when needed.
The struggles that Brad Kaaya has had are almost all a result of a very poor offensive line. I could see the degradation of his mechanics play out on film over time. Hurries his decision making at times and will get panicky feet. Can be quick to bail on a play when he sees his line is struggling. Hurries his throwing motion which affects his accuracy, especially downfield.
There wasn’t any quarterback who did more for their draft stock at the Combine than Brad Kaaya. his work at EXOS paid off as multiple analysts were raving over his improved mechanics. He looked very much like the quarterback everyone thought he was before last season. The question here will be about whether that can hold up in a live game.
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The Kansas City Chiefs are very likely to be walking out of the 2017 NFL Draft with a new quarterback in tow. The only real question is where they will be selecting this new player. If the top options are gone or don’t feel right, Brad Kaaya could be a strong choice a little later. This will be one of the top storylines of the draft for the Chiefs.