KANSAS CITY, Mo. – It’s the time of year when numerous draft prospects are tied to the Chiefs.
Some players were reported from the NFL Scouting Combine by this website. And a good majority of other players from the Senior Bowl and Combine have been reported by Chiefs beat writer Terez Paylor of The Kansas City Star.
Oct 13, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs fans show their support at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
A running list of players linked to the Chiefs is currently found with the good people at ArrowheadPride.com.
Reading through the compilation, the immediate trend is the Chiefs are actively kicking the tires with pass defenders, wide receivers and pass rushers, all identifiable needs coming off the 2013 regular season.
Of course, none of this means the Chiefs will draft any of the listed players.
As Joel Thorman of ArrowheadPride.com correctly points out, “Often times the player we talk about in February isn’t the player we’re talking about in April.”
That Thorman is truly a smart man.
Indeed, this is all a part of the Chiefs’ evaluation process when it comes to checking out players. Keep in mind the Chiefs also have Pro Day workouts to attend in the coming weeks and the team will host draft prospects.
Still, it never hurts for early speculation ahead of May’s NFL Draft.
Of the current known players found on the list, here are five who intrigue the most based on the team’s needs for the 2014 season:
1. Any of the free safeties: The Chiefs remain high on Sanders Commings, but bringing aboard competition through the draft or free agency is never a bad thing. Given last season’s second-half meltdown on the back end of the defensive secondary, any added player would be considered an upgrade.
2. WR Marqise Lee, USC: He’s projected by numerous mock draft as being off the board before the Chiefs first-round pick at 23. But Lee will be hard to ignore if he falls in the Chiefs’ lap. Most teams draft the best player available and not based on need. Lee gives the Chiefs the best of both worlds in that situation at No. 23.
3. ILB Telvin Smith, Florida State: Confidence won’t be an issue for the Seminole. At 6-foot-3, 218 pounds, what he lacks in bulk, he more than makes up with his proven ability to defend the pass at the linebacker position. Having a player with Smith’s skill set ensures the Chiefs can allow All-Pro strong safety Eric Berry do what he does best and that’s roam the field.
4. OL Billy Turner, North Dakota State: One of the few offensive lineman known to have met with the Chiefs so far, Turner’s versatility to play outside or inside is sure to entice teams to take a hard look at him. The Chiefs are also facing the possibility of losing left tackle Branden Albert and guards Geoff Schwartz and Jon Asamoah to free agency.
5. CB Pierre Desir, Lindenwood: The buzz surrounding Desir picked up after the Senior Bowl and it carried into last week’s Combine. At 6-foot-1, 198 pounds, Desir has the size most teams covet in a growing league-wide desire to secure big cornerbacks in light of the Seattle Seahawks’ success. Simply put, he’s no secret.
