Kansas City Chiefs: Draft prospects in 2020 NCAA Championship Game
By John McCarty
The Chiefs could lose contributors along their defensive front. Here are some names they could look for to help address their depth.
With each passing day, it’s becoming more and more difficult to imagine Chris Jones returning next season as his price tag continues to soar. At linebacker, Reggie Ragland and Darron Lee are set to be free agents and Damien Wilson isn’t under contract past the 2020 season. Depth could be used.
- Jacob Phillips, LB, LSU: A middle linebacker, Phillips is a solid athlete and overall good prospect. Not quite the prospect or the athlete of previous LSU linebackers, Phillips is more of the classic between the numbers middle linebacker. He could stand to add some weight, but is a good prospect and can likely compete for early playing time. If the Chiefs don’t replace Reggie Ragland, could Phillips be an option?
- Patrick Queen, LB, LSU: Different than Phillips in a lot of ways, Queen is a speedy linebacker that came to LSU originally as a cornerback. Quality tackler to go along with really good linebacker speed, Queen is an intriguing prospect. He had limited playing time due to the quality of talent in front of him during his career. Is he too similar to failed 2017 third round draft pick Dorian O’Daniel? Queen’s college track record appears likely to transition to NFL better, but he is undersized a bit.
- Rashard Lawrence, DT, LSU: There are questions about the return of Chris Jones. The Chiefs did use a third round pick last season on Khalen Saunders and a third rounder the previous year on Derrick Nnadi. Do the Chiefs do that again? Lawrence is well built and strong, but isn’t a great pass rusher. Do Chiefs want more size and pocket push along their interior as opposed to the pass rusher? Lawrence does provide an intriguing prospect if the Chiefs look to add depth along the defensive line.
The Chiefs offense will look to add a draft pick to the backfield this offseason. Could Clemson showcase a future Chief?
The Chiefs offense, for all it’s prowess, could use a better option at running back. We have seen how much better the Chiefs offense has looked when they can, when they need to, run the ball with Damien Williams. Sometimes, you just have to pick up a yard or two the hard way.
LeSean McCoy and fullback Anthony Sherman are not under contract for next season and it’s hard to imagine either returning based on their lack of playing time. Damien Williams‘ contract makes it realistic that he is released to save cap room, leaving Darrel Williams, currently on injured reserve, and sixth round rookie Darwin Thompson.
- Travis Etienne, Clemson: Etienne is a running back in the mold of what the Chiefs are likely looking for in a prospect at the position. An ability to catch and run between the tackles is obviously important, as is the speed to run away from linebackers and turn good plays into chunk plays and big plays into long touchdowns.
The big question with Etienne is whether the Chiefs would be willing to use a top three, likely two, round selection on a running back. With issues at receiver, corner, linebacker and the need to address depth almost everywhere, do they not choose to wait a round or two to address the position?