Kansas City Chiefs: Could Corey Ballentine be mid-round target?

Could Topeka native and Washburn graduate Corey Ballentine help provide the help the Kansas City Chiefs defensive secondary is looking for?

The Kansas City Chiefs have turned over all stones in an effort to rebuild their defensive secondary after a promising 2018 season was derailed by an inept defense. After acquiring Bashaud Breeland and Tyrann Mathieu in free agency, the Chiefs will likely add at least one defensive back in the draft.

After going to high school at Shawnee Heights in Topeka, Kansas, Corey Ballentine played football for Division 2 Washburn University. A strong career landed Ballentine on the NFL’s radar which included invitations to both the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine. Rick Peterson of the Topeka Capital-Journal answered some questions and helped shed some insight into the local product.

Peterson went in depth on Corey Ballentine in this story for the Topeka Capital-Journal.

Best description of Corey Ballentine’s play the past three seasons?

Versatile is the best way to describe Corey. He was not only Washburn’s best defender in the secondary but he was also very valuable on special teams as both a returner and kick-blocker. He never played receiver that I recall, but was a star sprinter in both high school and college and could have played that position.

What does Corey Ballentine do best?

His best trait is he’s a lock-down corner. Teams very rarely even attempted to throw at him, which obviously was a sign of respect. He is also capable of being a star on special teams which could benefit him in the NFL.

Conversely, where does Ballentine most need to improve?

As Corey himself said, he just continues to learn and grow as a player. He knows the jump from Division II to the NFL is a big one, but I think the Senior Bowl and Combine helped him realize where he needs to grow and I think he looks forward to the challenge.

What was he asked to do primarily in the Washburn defense? Man coverage? Zone?

I thought of him more as a man-to-man cover guy, but has experience in both.

Can/ will Ballentine tackle?

He had 50 tackles as a senior and was capable of the big hit. I think his experience on special teams also helps in this area.

How did Ballentine end up at Washburn and not at a bigger school?

I thought of Ballentine as a track athlete first at Shawnee Heights, where he was a multi-time state champ, but he just continued to get better and better as a football player in both high school and at Washburn.

What kind of person is Corey Ballentine Is he a leader?

I think Corey primarily leads by example. I know his coaches at Shawnee Heights and Washburn love him and I’ve never heard anybody say a bad word about him.

My Thoughts:

Ballentine has good size and athleticism and is certainly an intriguing prospect with a local angle having played just west of Arrowhead on I -70 in Topeka Kansas.  The question is where he gets drafted and comes off the board.

Ballentine would be an ideal player for the Chiefs in the fifth round I’m just not sure if he will last that long. If he’s there in round five, however, the Chiefs shouldn’t leave him on the board any longer.