It’s Week 11 in college football and we have even more exciting prospects to watch.
I have identified over 200 prospects for the 2020 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 four up until the draft.
Check out the latest group of prospects down below:
Baylor WR Denzel Mims
At 6-feet-3 and 215 pounds, Mims already has the frame of an NFL receiver. He catches everything put in the zip code and boasts an impressive catch radius. His coordination, focus and body control are impressive, as he routinely comes down with catches in traffic or on the sideline.
This kid isn’t just a jump ball receiver, though. As a former track athlete, he has the burst and long speed to get open downfield on vertical routes. He shows the physicality to fight through man coverage and the smarts to find soft spots in zone coverage.
The problem in his game right now is that he lacks refinement and consistency in his route running. NFL coaches will want to take a crack at coaching him up because of all the tools and physical traits.
The Chiefs don’t exactly need to add another receiver but it’s hard not to fall in love with the thought of adding a weapon like Mims to this already potent offense. Mims will actually get a chance to face off against our next prospect today.
WATCH: Baylor at TCU, Saturday, Nov. 9 at 11:00 a.m. CT
TCU CB Jeff Gladney
At 6-feet and nearly 190 pounds, Gladney has good size and speed for the NFL. He’s athletic and knows how to fight through the catch point against big and physical receivers. He has good instincts in coverage. He’ll face a test today when he lines up against Baylor WR Denzel Mims, who we covered on the previous page.
One thing that will be appealing to NFL coaches with Gladney is his durability. He’s been a four-year starter at TCU appearing in 46 career games with the team, missing no time due to injury. He’s improved in each of those four years.
The Chiefs will look to add bodies at the cornerback position with only a few players under contract beyond 2019. Gladney could be a good option for them during the middle rounds.
WATCH: Baylor at TCU, Saturday, Nov. 9 at 11:00 a.m. CT
Vanderbilt RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn
Vaughn originally burst onto the scene in the SEC after transferring from Illinois. In 2018 he led all SEC running backs with 7.0 yards per carry and he eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in 11 games. He set the Vanderbilt single-game rushing yardage record against Missouri and had four separate games where he went over 100 rushing yards.
Vaughn is a patient, yet explosive runner. He has very good contact balance to fight through would-be tackles and he’s not afraid to lower his shoulder. He has the burst to get through tight spaces and the long speed to run away from defenders in pursuit.
The big question for Vaughn will be whether he can be a factor in the passing game at the next level? He’s caught 23 receptions for 234 yards and a touchdown in 2019. Before that he’d never had more than 16 receptions in a season. Obviously, if you want to play running back for the Chiefs you’ll need to get involved in the passing game as a receiver and a blocker.
WATCH: Vanderbilt at Florida, Saturday, Nov. 9 at 11:00 a.m. CT
Appalachian State LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
If you’re looking for a prototypical new-age linebacker in the NFL, Davis-Gaither is your guy. At 6-feet-2 and 215 pounds, he’s built like a safety, boasting speed and coverage ability to match up against running backs and tight ends. He truly has a chance to be a three-down player at the next level.
Davis-Gaither kind of reminds me of Colts LB Darius Leonard in his play-style. He flies around the field making plays in coverage and the run game. He’s a bit of a long strider but has good burst and closing speed.
One thing that you like to see from these small-school guys is that they perform on the biggest stages. This season Davis-Gaither played great against North Carolina with an impressive interception. Last season he had a solid performance against Penn State and one of his best games came against Middle Tennesse State in the New Orleans Bowl.
With Darron Lee set to become a free agent and Dorian O’Daniel in limbo, the Chiefs will look to the draft to find another weakside linebacker. Davis-Gaither fits the mold for what they’ll be looking for.
WATCH: Appalachian State at South Carolina, Saturday, Nov. 9 at 6:00 p.m. CT
