Kansas City Chiefs 2018 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Riley Ferguson

The Kansas City Chiefs may have their quarterback of the future in Patrick Mahomes, but they still need backups. Riley Ferguson of Memphis may be a good one.

It’s altogether possible that the euphoria of the Kansas City Chiefs moving into the Patrick Mahomes Era hasn’t worn off yet. Many Chiefs fans are still noticeably excited about the future of the quarterback position. However, outside of Mahomes, who else is there? KC needs another quarterback, and Riley Ferguson of Memphis may be a good option.

Alex Smith has been (unofficially) traded to the Washington Redskins. That means the Chiefs have lost their veteran signal caller, and the security he provided the quarterback position. At the same time, it seems like a long shot that Kansas City would re-sign pending free agent Tyler Bray after what he’s shown.

That means there is a very clear need at the quarterback position. Ideally, Kansas City will take a combination approach here. They should be looking to sign a veteran backup (Leigh Oleszczak suggests former Chiefs QB Chase Daniel), but also trying to draft an option. Even after that, signing an undrafted free agent might not be a bad move either.

Work needs to be done.

Riley Ferguson – QB – Memphis

NFLDraftScout.com Scouting Report

The Kansas City Chiefs need a backup quarterback who can work the pocket and not turn the ball over. Riley Ferguson of Memphis offers just that. An efficient quarterback in his two years as a starter, Ferguson is the kind of guy who (eventually) should be able to step in and help the offense keep rolling when needed.

Riley Ferguson has a big arm with a solid touch. Pocket passer who has some surprising mobility, Ferguson can throw on the run when needed. Accurate and efficient with his passing, Ferguson was the prime mover of the Tigers offense the past two years. Tall frame to help scan the field.

Stat To Know: Over two seasons at Memphis, Ferguson threw 70 TDs and just 19 INTs.

The negatives on Riley Ferguson center around his ability to further develop. While Ferguson is tall, he has a skinny frame and may not stand up to NFL hits. Locks onto his targets early and forgets his progressions. While he has some mobility, he doesn’t make good decisions running the ball and can get into trouble. Will definitely need development.

Chiefs Must Be Prepared

Ideally, the Kansas City Chiefs will get a veteran backup for Patrick Mahomes. However, they would do well to also develop their own in-house backup for the future. That’s what the team has tried to do for years. However, the failure of other options doesn’t mean they should stop trying now.

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Riley Ferguson is going to require a good bit of development, but the basic tools are there. He’s the kind of player who could fit in very well to a backup quarterback role. Andy Reid is billed as a quarterback whisperer, and this is an opportunity to prove that again. Why not take that chance with a kid like Ferguson?

If Patrick Mahomes isn’t available for some reason or another, it makes sense to find a similar style backup. Riley Ferguson is not the same talent level as Mahomes, but he does a lot of the same things. For the long-term plans of Kansas City, this could be a very effective pairing that gives the Chiefs a nice security blanket.

The excitement over Patrick Mahomes is through the roof for the Kansas City Chiefs. However, nobody should think that is the only move the Chiefs will make at quarterback. Until KC gets some more bodies in the building, this is still a position that needs attention. Riley Ferguson is a possible addition that makes sense.