It’s Week 12 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:
Oregon OG Shane Lemieux
The Oregon Ducks sport one of the best offensive lines in college football this season. Shane Lemieux has been one of the standouts of the unit at the guard position, displaying toughness and athleticism currently unrivaled in the Pac 12.
Lemieux is on his way to his 48th consecutive start for the Ducks. He’s been extremely reliable in terms of availability and performance. At 6-feet-5 and 315 pounds, he has a frame that is already NFL-ready.
One of the better run blockers in the entirety of college football, Lemieux makes his money when he can get to linebackers at the second level. He can clear a rushing lane with the best of them in college football. He’s also shown some success as a pass blocker. Just last season, Lemieux allowed just 11 pressures in 500 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. So it’s not like Lemieux is a one-trick pony.
Currently, Lemieux is being criminally underrated in the pre-draft prospect rankings. Some team will likely be able to steal him in the middle rounds if his stock holds. The Kansas City Chiefs need to look into making some investments along the offensive line, especially now that they’ve found their franchise quarterback in Patrick Mahomes.
WATCH: Arizona at Oregon, Saturday, Nov. 16 at 9:30 p.m. CT
Tennessee LB Daniel Bituli
Listed at 6-feet-3 and 240 pounds, Bituli has the size to make a big-time impact in the NFL run game. He’s a leader on the Volunteer defense and a tough player. He’s also a smart player, knowing his run fits and exactly when to go one the attack in the run game. When he diagnoses a play he has ideal quickness, closing speed, and a showcases stopping power when he wraps up to make a tackle.
Bituli had a season-high of 19 tackles against Kentucky, including a crucial 4th down stop near the goal line. It was one of those standout performances that really showcased the type of player that he can be when he’s at his best. One thing I’ve noticed about Bituli is that he rarely overextends himself, which would allow cutback opportunities to running backs.
Brett Veach’s background as an SEC Scout has come up in the past. I wouldn’t be shocked to see him take a closer look at several prospects in that conference before the draft arrives in April. If a player like Reggie Ragland leaves in free agency, Bituli could certainly come in and play a similar role for the Chiefs’ defense.
WATCH: Tennessee at Mizzou, Saturday, Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m. CT
Princeton QB Kevin Davidson
You won’t see many Ivy League prospects talked about when it comes time for the 2020 NFL draft. Davidson, who took over for Chiefs’ tight end convert John Lovett at Princeton, is actually a pretty good sleeper prospect at the quarterback position. Teams will get a chance to get a closer look at him during the East-West Shrine game this year.
Against Bucknell earlier this season, Davidson broke the Ivy League record for passing touchdowns in a single game with seven. He’s thrown 20 touchdowns to just five interceptions this season. He doesn’t just put up gaudy numbers either, he’s quite efficient at moving the ball down the field and managing the game.
At 6-feet-4 and 225 pounds, he has the size to handle the NFL game. As with most quarterbacks coming out of college, there are some technical things that coaches will want to work with him on related to his throwing motion and footwork. There’s enough there in terms of physical tools and ability that I could see a team taking a late-round flier on this player or perhaps bringing him in as an undrafted free agent.
The Kansas City Chiefs don’t need a quarterback, but why pay a veteran to backup Patrick Mahomes when you can develop someone behind him. Perhaps a player like Davidson could even develop into a trade chip down the line.
WATCH: Yale at Princeton, Saturday, Nov. 16 at 11:00 a.m. CT
South Carolina DE D.J. Wonnum
Wonnum is a long and powerful defensive end prospect. At 6-feet-5 and 260 pounds, he fits the profile for what the Chiefs like at the position from a physical standpoint. He’s not the type of player to blow you away with any one facet of his game, but he’s an all-around solid player.
When getting after the quarterback Wonnum isn’t the quickest out of his stance but he makes up for it with good hands, effort, good bend and a solid complement of pass rush moves. Against the run, he plays with good leverage and push.
Wonnum was voted team captain in just his sophomore season, which shows his ability to lead in a locker room. Some view Wonnum as a rush linebacker in a 3-4 but I’ve liked what he’s been able to do with his hand in the dirt at South Carolina.
Injuries will be a concern that NFL teams will have to look into, as he missed most of 2018 with an ankle injury. Getting through the medical stage at the Combine will certainly be important.
Look, we know that the real reason I am scouting this player is that the Chiefs have a distinct lack of players named “D.J.” on the roster right now. He could fill the name void left by recently retired linebacker Derrick Johnson. Jokes aside, Kansas City could use a player of Wonnum’s caliber to reinforce their depth at the defensive end position.
WATCH: South Carolina at Texas A&M, Saturday, Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m. CT
