Kansas City Chiefs: 2020 Senior Bowl players to follow

While many are focusing on the Super Bowl, the Senior Bowl scouting show proceeds in Mobile. Here are a few players Kansas City Chiefs fans should keep an eye on.

The Kansas City Chiefs are preparing for the Super Bowl, but many are down in Mobile as draft season officially kicks off with the annual Senior Bowl. Drafting late and devoid of perhaps any massive need (though they have needs at all positions), here a few players I’m following that likely won’t hear their name called on Day 1.

• Michael Pittman, WR, USC

A huge target at 6’4″ and 219 pounds, Pittman is a physical receiver, which the Chiefs don’t have on their roster. He’s not as quick or fast as receivers likely on the roster next year in Mecole Hardman and Tyreek Hill, but Pittman is far bigger in size and gives the offense an additional tall passing target to go with tight end Travis Kelce. Pittman is a physical, willing blocker in the run game.

• Lamar Jackson, CB, Nebraska

For all the talk, would it not be awesome for the Chiefs to have both Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson? Okay, not the same obviously, but Jackson is a big corner, at 6’2″ and 205 pounds and would provide the Chiefs defense with length at the position they don’t currently have.

Few players need to have a strong combine workout, especially three-cone and short shuttle drill than Jackson. Cone and shuttle drill help measure change of direction and short area acceleration. It’s important for ‘tall’ corners to show they can turn and run.

• Lloyd Cushenberry III, C/G, LSU

It’s hard to imagine the Chiefs not wanting to address and upgrade the interior of their offensive line and coming off a National Championship with LSU, Cushenberry could be the ideal player for the Chiefs.

With good size at 6’3″ and 312 pounds, Cushenberry played in a spread offense requiring extensive use of both run and pass blocking technique. Playing in the SEC West division, he went up against big humans on a weekly basis. Cush could provide, at a minimum, depth at guard or center.

• Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue

Potentially the first player of the draft season to fall victim to the school roster shrink, Hopkins measured at 6’3″ at the Senior Bowl, two inches shorter than the 6’5″ he was listed at while at Purdue. Regardless, Hopkins appears to be the most athletic, two-way tight end (blocking and receiving) in this draft. With Kelce aging and no true playmaking options behind him, tight end could be a quiet need for the Chiefs this offseason.

• Jared Pinkney, TE, Vanderbilt

Pinkney is the other two-way tight end I’m watching, and while he is not nearly as dynamic an athlete as Hopkins, Pinkney is solid in his own right. With good size at 6’4″ and 255 pounds and experience playing in the SEC, Pinkney is the type of player that could come in and contribute for the Chiefs. He needs to get stronger and refine technique both blocking and in the pass game, but there is potential there.

• Darrion Daniels, DT, Nebraska

If the Chiefs move on from defensive tackle Chris Jones after the season, they may go looking for another body to man the middle. Enter Daniels.

Different from Jones, Daniels is a massive human at 6’4″ and 322 pounds. If he can refine his consistency with technique (stands up too quickly far too often, costing him leverage), he’s a big body pocket pusher the Chiefs could pair with other big body tackles currently on their roster.

• A.J. Green, CB, Oklahoma State

The Cowboys defensive back is, to a degree, what the Chiefs may be looking for in a middle round defensive back. At 6’1″ and a good athlete, there is something to work with. He gambles at times and can struggle with strength at the point of attack and is a depth passing down type player early as he builds up strength and confidence.

• Jeremy Chinn, S/LB, Southern Illinois

The Chiefs obviously won’t be in position to select local player Isaiah Simmons, the hybrid safety/linebacker from Clemson. Maybe the Chiefs will instead look for the FCS level comparable player in Chinn.

Measured at 6’3″ and and 219 pounds, Chinn is the type of player that could play both in the box almost as a linebacker and has played both safety and some corner at college. He could take on the role of Daniel Sorensen, a potential cap cup this offseason despite his playoff play.

• Dane Jackson, CB, Pittsburgh

Jackson is another player similar to Green and is a great athlete who needs to work on his technique and consistency. He has a lot of experience playing man defense at Pitt, so he could – in theory – step in and contribute if needs be with the Chiefs. Jackson had a strong first day at the Senior Bowl and has showcased good feet and fluid hips.

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Obviously there are other players that will be looked at and who the Kansas City Chiefs will show interest in. These are just a few players I’m keeping an eye on and thought I’d share my findings with everyone.

The Chiefs’ focus this week is on another type of bowl, but for some, the business of football continues on.