Preparation for the draft is a long process for NFL front offices.
Throughout the college football season, area scouts will travel across the country to watch games and evaluate talent. This is only one piece of the puzzle as hours of film study and scouting report writing also factor into the equation.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ scouting department has been hard at work during this college football season, with scouts credentialed for some big games from several different conferences. Here’s a look at some of the games they have attended this season, draft-eligible prospects on both teams and my thoughts on the players they might be looking at:
NCAAF Week 6: Illinois vs. Minnesota
Source: KTSP Reporter Darren Wolfson
Illinois: RB Reggie Corbin, LB Jake Hansen, LB Dele Harding
Minnesota: WR Tyler Johnson, LB Kamal Martin, LB Carter Coughlin
Thoughts: There is a ton of linebacker talent between these two teams but they aren’t exactly the cream of the crop in the 2020 NFL draft. Tyler Johnson could be a solid replacement for Sammy Watkins. Reggie Corbin could add some much-needed juice to the run game.
NCAAF Week 6: Ohio State vs. Michigan State
Source: Eleven Warrior reporter Dan Hope
Ohio State: CB Jeffrey Okudah, CB Shaun Wade, CB Damon Arnette, IDL Davon Hamilton, IDL Robert Landers, RB J.K. Dobbins, WR K.J. Hill, LB Malik Harrison
Michigan State: IDL Raequan Williams, IDL Naquan Jones, DE Kenny Willekes, LB Joe Bachie Jr., S David Dowell, QB Brian Lewerke, OT Cole Chewins
Thoughts: There is a wealth of defensive talent on both of these teams. I really like the secondary at Ohio State and think any of the three corners could help the Chiefs. At Michigan State, the defensive line is flush with talent.
NCAAF Week 7: Oregon vs. Colorado
Source: NBC Sports Northwest reporter Bri Amaranthus
Oregon: QB Justin Herbert, WR Juwan Johnson, TE Jacob Breeland, OT Calvin Throckmorton, C Jake Hanson, OG Shane Lemieux, IDL Jordan Scott, LB Troy Dye, CB Deommodore Lenoir, CB Thomas Graham Jr.
Colorado: QB Steven Montez, WR Lavishka Shenault Jr., LB Nate Landman
Thoughts: The offensive line for Oregon has the types of players the Chiefs seem to like. These guys play with more finesse than brute strength. For Colorado, Shenault is the player I would have my eyes on. He has a penchant for making circus catches every game and pairing him with Patrick Mahomes would be tons of fun.
NCAAF Week 8: Florida vs. South Carolina
Source: Game Time radio host Heath Cline
Florida: RB Lamical Perine, WR Van Jefferson, WR Tyrie Cleveland, IDL Kyree Campbell, DE Jabari Zuniga, DE Jonathan Greenard, LB David Reese II, CB C.J. Henderson, S Brad Stewart
South Carolina: QB Jake Bentley, WR Bryan Edwards, OG Donnel Stanley, OG Sadarius Hutcherson, IDL Javon Kinlaw, DE D.J. Wonnum, LB T.J. Brunson
Thoughts: The defensive line groups in this game really stood out to me. Any of those players would be welcome additions to the Chiefs. This draft class has a ton of receiver talent and several from this game could also be on the Kansas City radar.
NCAAF Week 8: Pittsburgh vs. Syracuse
Source: Syracuse reporter Dan Tortora
Pittsburgh: S Damar Hamlin, CB Dane Jackson, IDL Jaylen Twyman
Syracuse: RB Moe Neal, DE Alton Robinson, DE Kendall Coleman, CB Christopher Frederick, S Evan Foster, LB Lakiem Williams, P Sterling Hofrichter
Thoughts: Alton Robinson and Kendall Coleman could both really beef up the edge rotation in Kansas City. I’m a fan of the two players in the secondary for Pittsburgh. Jackson, in particular, is underrated right now.
NCAAF Week 10: Oregon vs. USC
Source: NBC Sports Northwest reporter Bri Amaranthus
Oregon: QB Justin Herbert, WR Juwan Johnson, TE Jacob Breeland, OT Calvin Throckmorton, C Jake Hanson, OG Shane Lemieux, IDL Jordan Scott, LB Troy Dye, CB Deommodore Lenoir, CB Thomas Graham Jr.
USC: RB Stephen Carr, WR Michael Pittman Jr., WR Tyler Vaughns, DE Chrisitan Rector
Thoughts: USC hasn’t been great this season but they have a few players that will definitely get looks at the next level. Pittman Jr. looks like a Day 2 receiver. Rector has a ton of talent but needs an NFL coaching staff to coach him up.
NCAAF Week 12: Minnesota vs. Iowa
Source: KTSP Reporter Darren Wolfson
Minnesota: WR Tyler Johnson, LB Kamal Martin, LB Carter Coughlin
Iowa: QB Nate Stanley, RB Mekhi Sargent, OT Tristan Wirfs, OT Alaric Jackson, DE A.J. Epenesa, S Geno Stone
Thoughts: I doubt the Chiefs would have a shot at drafting A.J. Epenesa. I anticipate that he’ll be gone in the first 15 picks, if not earlier in the draft. I wouldn’t mind adding Wirfs or Jackson to get some more protection for Mahomes.
