Kansas City Chiefs: Carl Granderson worth a look in 2019 NFL Draft
By John McCarty
The Kansas City Chiefs will continue to look to add to the defense in the upcoming 2019 NFL Draft. Defensive end Carl Granderson of Wyoming could be an intriguing prospect in the middle rounds to help restore the defense.
A defense that was bad in 2017 has become even worse in the 2018 season and Kansas City Chiefs fans are nervous that a bad defense could submarine a promising season with the emergence of Patrick Mahomes and a dynamic offense. Could Wyoming defensive lineman Carl Granderson provide depth for the Chiefs defense?
Free agency looms for many on the defense, including starting defensive end Allen Bailey and backup Stefan Charles along with starting outside linebacker Dee Ford. Questions remain about the future of Justin Houston and his contract after this season.
Second round selection from 2017 Tanoh Kpassagnon has struggled and now finds himself not dressing on game days, which is certainly a bad sign for the future. Chris Jones will need to have his contract re-done after a great 2018 season. Depth and some starters will need to be brought in, and not all in the high rounds.
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With questions, we take a look at Wyoming defensive end Carl Granderson.
Standing 6’5″ and 260 pounds, Granderson currently plays defensive end, but likely will move outside in the Chiefs defensive 34 scheme. For a comparison, physically, Granderson appears a bit like Tamba Hali did at this point in his career (not comparing play style).
The Wyoming product certainly appears as if he will be able to put on weight (and will need to) and there are option for Granderson to contribute while he’s developing and learning.
He can develop into an every down type player, but likely will not be a star in any specific category. While Granderson has the size and strength to stop the run (his best attribute currently), he needs to add weight to help anchor against the run.
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Granderson’s bend and ability to turn the corner is not strong, which will limit his potential as a pass rusher. His use of hands in engaging lineman and disengaging blocks is horrible and provides coaches with an opportunity to teach a player from the very basics.
Why I like Granderson is that much of what limits him immediately is teachable and can be coached. Get him into the Chiefs weight and nutrition program and hope he’s able to add weight by the time the season started. Teach him to use his hands and add some weight, and Granderson has the ability to at least contribute as a run stopping/edge setting edge player.
He certainly has a ‘get off’ that would allow him to play at this level and there is enough athleticism for a team to work with. Will Carl Granderson be a star defender and major contributor to a defense, especially early? Not likely. However, with patience and coaching, the Cowboy certainly has the potential to be a contributing member of the Chiefs defense.
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His testing numbers at the combine and pro day could go a long way in determining his draft stock. As early as round three or as late as deep into the later rounds of the draft, what teams are looking for will determine his draft slot.