2017 NFL Draft Kansas City Chiefs Scouting Report: Travis Rudolph

The Kansas City Chiefs could use a boost to the wide receiver corps. One player who could help out is Travis Rudolph of Florida State.

The wide receiver position continues to be an issue for the Kansas City Chiefs offense. While it’s easy to blame Alex Smith for our passing game problems, the truth is that the receivers carry their share of the responsibility. Travis Rudolph of Florida State could help provide a boost to our receiving corps.

The Chiefs do have talent on their depth chart at receiver. Tyreek Hill has emerged as a quality receiver, and may take over the #2 spot in 2017. Both Albert Wilson and Chris Conley have starting experience. Demarcus Robinson has a ton of potential to work with. However, iron sharpens iron, and there is no reason to not push this group.

The West Coast Offense doesn’t rely very much on the deep passing game, so finding players that can make something happen after the catch is key. It’s easy to see that the Chiefs have focused on that with the players they have added to the roster before this year.

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The Chiefs may already have their #2 man in Tyreek Hill, but it never hurts to add another weapon. That is especially true when talking about your third and fourth receivers. The more players the opposing defense has to account for, the better your chances for success.

Travis Rudolph – WR – Florida State

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For some players, it’s the athletic talent that comes naturally. For Travis Rudolph, it’s the ability to understand the game. Rudolph is one of the most polished receivers of this draft class. However, it may be his off the field character that fans love the most. He has become best known for having lunch with an autistic child without any kind of prodding or asking.

Travis Rudolph runs very crisp and clean routes, showing the technical prowess that few college receivers possess. A very smooth runner who makes every movement look natural. Excellent hands and a good catch radius to attack contested balls. Has excellent footwork and shows no wasted movements.

What is really hurting Travis Rudolph’s draft stock is that he doesn’t appear to be a top tier athlete. Doesn’t have the natural speed or explosion to get on top of defensive backs in a hurry. Rudolph isn’t a quick twitch athlete either. Struggles to create separation.

Travis Rudolph first caught my attention last season in the Peach Bowl. However, it does look as though Rudolph may have already reached his ceiling. He will get a shot with someone in the later rounds, but I’m not sure it should be the Chiefs.

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The Kansas City Chiefs need to get more production from their receiving corps. The best way to do that is to bring in more competition. If KC can get some more weapons on the field in the passing game, it should open up the offense a lot. That will help keep the defense off the field a little bit more.