This week we’ll begin taking a look at several prospects invited to the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine. You can find the full list of players attending the event here. We’ll take a look at a healthy dose of both offensive and defensive players and identify those that could be a fit for the Chiefs.
I have identified over 170 prospects for the 2019 draft that I believe could be potential fits for the Kansas City Chiefs. I’ll be releasing mini scouting reports on these prospects in random groups of five up until the draft.
Ugo Amadi S Oregon
Ugochukwu (Ugo) Amadi was college football’s Lombardi Award winner for the 2018 season. It’s an award given to players who best exemplify leadership and on-field performance. During the 2018 season Amadi was a team captain for several games of the Oregon Ducks games. He also reached career high’s in tackles, tackles for loss, and defensive touchdowns.
Amadi is one of the more underrated players in this draft class. I think he has a chance to open some eyes at the combine, specifically with his speed and agility drills. He’ll need to run fast given his listed size of 5-foot-10 and 185 pounds.
Amadi played both cornerback and safety during his time with the Ducks, so he has some versatility to his game. One thing he’s been great at during his time in both positions is driving on the football. He has a good understanding of his own limitations and uses that to his advantage when baiting quarterbacks into throws. He covers ground quickly which makes me think he’ll run well at the combine.
The Chiefs will look to improve their secondary group in 2019 and adding a versatile piece like this wouldn’t hurt. It’d also give them another option at punt returner, as Amadi returned 14 punts for 223 yards and a score in 2018.
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Blessuan Austin CB Rutgers
Had Blessuan Austin’s career gone differently we might be talking about him as a first round draft pick. He has ideal size for an NFL corner at 6-foot-1 and 195 pounds. He plays with a competitive streak, which shines through in his coverage. You can tell when he steps on the field, he wants to prove that he’s the best. Austin has also shown a nose for the football throughout his career, intercepting a pass in each of his four seasons at Rutgers.
That’s all the more impressive when you consider he only played a single game in 2018. It was the second-straight season where an ACL injury took Austin out for the entire season. Medical checks at the Combine will be the difference between a Day 3 selection and potentially going undrafted for Austin. It’s not clear if he will go through any drills at the Combine, but he’ll at least get the opportunity to meet with teams 1-on-1.
If Austin is cleared by the Chiefs’ medical staff, the scouting department will really need to trust their evaluation of this player. With only five games played since 2017, there’s not a whole lot of recent tape to go on. If Austin is declared healthy, he could be perceived as the ultimate value pick come the later rounds of the draft.
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Tyrel Dodson LB Texas A&M
This draft class is perceived as a weaker class for middle linebackers, so there will be opportunities for several to shine at the Combine. Tyrel Dodson is a junior declare for the 2019 NFL draft. He’s listed at 6-foot-2 and 242 pounds, and his athleticism pops when you watch him. Whether it’s peeling off into coverage for an interception or weaving through traffic to make a tackle for loss.
You might recognize Dodson’s name from the facemask ordeal with Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher this season. He’s handled that situation, and questions about that situation like a professional. This is something that clubs will take note of, because players will encounter difficult situations similar to this in the NFL.
I’m not sure the Chiefs will be looking to add a linebacker early in the draft, but if they happen to miss out on someone they’re targeting, Dodson could be a good alternate. He also plays special teams, so that is always a nice bonus for the Chiefs.
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Nate Herbig OL Stanford
People who are 6-foot-4 and 330 pounds are just not supposed to be as mobile as Nate Herbig is. He often shows his mobility and quickness when blocking in space or pulling across the formation.
I’ve noticed that Herbig likes to bring the nastiness during double teams. His frame makes him exceptionally hard to get around in pass protection or as a lead blocker. Short yardage situations allow Herbig to thrive because of his excellent use and understanding of leverage. Herbig also has some versatility to his game, playing both left and right guard, and filling in at right tackle in a pinch.
The big concern that I have for Herbig is consistency in effort level. There are tapes where he plays with his hair on fire, and there are other tapes where it looks like he’s just trying to get by. I think working with a good coaching staff will allow him to unlock his true potential, because the tools are definitely there. The Chiefs are uniquely positioned with the coaching staff and locker room to help this player to grow.
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Travis Fulgham WR Old Dominion
Old Dominion isn’t exactly a program known for their offensive dominance. Travis Fulgham is listed at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds and before his senior season he hadn’t eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving. His sophomore season was productive from a touchdown standpoint, but he didn’t have a whole lot of yardage. Fulgham broke out in his senior season to the tune of career high’s in receptions, yardage, and touchdowns. He also led the entire Conference USA in receiving yardage.
Fulgham’s game is predicated on his ability to win contested throws. He uses his frame and physicality to his advantage in order to box out defenders in tight coverage. This isn’t to say he can’t create separation. His footwork and route running allows him to create space, especially in the redzone. It’s an area that he truly shined in during the practice week at the Senior Bowl.
Another area where Fulgham excel’s is working as a blocker. You can often find him locking defenders up and playing through the whistle. That’s something the Chiefs will value given the things they like to do with their receivers.
Fulgham’s big question at the combine will be his 40-yard time. It’ll be the difference between going in top 100 picks of the draft or not. His goal should be to run in the low 4.5 range.
The Chiefs can get better at the wide receiver position in 2019 and I feel like they should use the depth of this class to their advantage. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Fulgham selected by the Chiefs within the top-100 picks.
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