2017 NFL Draft KC Chiefs Scouting Report: Malik McDowell
The 2017 NFL Draft could see the KC Chiefs going with another defensive prospect in the first round. Could Malik McDowell out of Michigan State be someone that the Chiefs are thinking of targeting?
The Kansas City Chiefs have been a defensive team ever since Andy Reid stepped foot into the Arrowhead offices. With this being the prime opportunity to make it to a Super Bowl, the Chiefs will have to continue building that defense.
If the KC Chiefs decide no quarterbacks are worth gambling on in the first round, then they could decide to go after defensive tackle Malik McDowell from Michigan State.
Related Story: Scouting Report Central
McDowell, who is forgoing his senior season and entering the draft, played for three years with the Spartans. During that time, he racked up 88 tackles (24.5 for loss), seven and a half sacks, two forced fumbles, and one interception, which went all the way to the house for six.
COMBINE RESULTS
- 40-Yard Dash – 4.85 seconds
- Bench Press – 23 reps
- Vertical Jump – 28.5 inches
- Broad Jump – 112.0 inches
- 3-Cone Drill – 7.69 seconds
- 20-Yard Shuttle – 4.53 seconds
Results courtesy of NFL.com (linked below)
While the Chiefs are pretty stacked up front on defense, they are losing Dontari Poe through free agency and depth is key to making a big run (see the Broncos Super Bowl run in the 2015 season). This would be a very John Dorsey-like pick in my opinion.
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Some of the knocks on McDowell are that he did suffer an injury midway through his final collegiate season. Injuries are always something to keep an eye on. Analysts also seem to think McDowell might be a tad bit lazy, which is concerning for sure.
Per NFL.com,
"“He has a chance to be a dominant player in our league. I mean dominant. It hasn’t turned on for him all the way yet but if it does, he could be like Mario Williams. He’s just a little lazy and I worry about whether he is going to be a self-starter.” — NFC North area scout"
CBS Sports draft analyst Rob Rang has McDowell landing with a familiar foe in the Oakland Raiders to vamp up their defense while Dane Brugler has him landing with Washington, Will Briscoe predicts the Colts will take him, and Jared Dubin thinks he’ll be an Eagle.
In other words, the jury is still out on where Malik McDowell fits best NFL wise in the 2017 NFL Draft. The Chiefs have shown that they do a nice job with their defensive pieces, but it’s just a matter of what other picks are sitting on the board still when the Chiefs go to draft.
Keep an eye on Malik McDowell though. He screams “Chiefs pick” to me.