After losing Mitch Morse to free agency, there appears to be a need at the center position for the Chiefs.
The Chiefs currently have three on the roster, but none of them are proven NFL starters. Austin Reiter has the most experience, with just five games started in his three-year NFL career. Four of those games came with the Chiefs in 2018 when Morse was out with injury.
Behind Reiter the Chiefs have Tejan Koroma, who was the No. 2 center behind Morse for most of training camp in 2018 before he was injured. They also have Jimmy Murray, who was elevated to the 53-man roster in Week 8 of 2018. Both players are former undrafted free agents.
The Chiefs historically haven’t valued interior offensive line positions all that much in the draft. Perhaps that means some of these late-rounders could be on the radar in Kansas City.
Here’s a look at some of the pieces they could consider adding in each round of the 2019 NFL draft:
Round 1: Garrett Bradbury, NC State
There are about 20 NFL teams that would gladly have the 2018 Rimington Trophy winner, Garrett Bradbury, on their football team.
Bradbury has excelled in NC State’s zone-blocking scheme. Specifically in the run game, he’s shown off a deadly combination of quickness and strength at the point of attack. Bradbury has continued to develop as a pass protector, but in 2018 he displayed improved technique and foot quickness.
NC State didn’t often have him pulling, which the Chiefs sometimes ask of their center to do. At the combine he showed off the appropriate athleticism to think that he’s entirely capable of pulling more often at the NFL level. His ability to get to the second level also shows translatable skills.
The Chiefs lost their most consistent pass protector along the offensive interior during the 2019 free agency period. Bradbury would be a great option to instantly replace that consistency.
Continue…
Round 2: Erik McCoy, Texas A&M
Erik McCoy declared early for the 2019 NFL draft, foregoing his senior season at Texas A&M. Had he stayed, McCoy might have had a chance to be the top center drafted the following season. He’ll likely have to settle for a lower draft slot in 2019.
McCoy impressed with his athleticism at the combine, running a 4.89 40-yard dash. That’s a great time given his 6-foot-4 and 304 pound frame. This athleticism hasn’t always shined through during his game at Texas A&M, where he was much more of a mauler, using his strength to deal with defensive linemen in a short area.
At the Senior Bowl, McCoy showed off a different part of his game. Utilizing his speed on reach blocks and getting out in front as a lead blocker. It’s something that NFL teams will look to expand upon.
During his final season with the Aggies, McCoy helped lead the way for RB Trayveon Williams, who led the SEC in rushing yards. The Chiefs could certainly use a guy like McCoy paving the way for Damien Williams.
Continue…
Round 3: Michael Jordan, Ohio State
Ohio State offensive lineman Michael Jordan left school following his junior season to head to the NFL early. Jordan only has one season of college football experience playing the center position, but he also has experience at left guard. You can only suit up so many guys on Sunday, so that versatility can be quite useful.
At 6-foot-6 and 312 pounds, Jordan has a monstrous frame. His size doesn’t lend itself to strong athleticism. Sometimes Jordan is slow out of his stance, and his foot speed isn’t ideal for functioning as a lead blocker. Jordan knows how to use his size to his advantage, though. He often uses his frame to box people out in pass protection.
In the ground game he’ll execute a quick jab on combo blocks, and shoot to the second level while staying square. He also uses his length to his advantage without lunging, which is sometimes hard for bigger linemen.
When I spoke with Jordan at the combine he said that blocking for Patrick Mahomes would make his life easier. He specifically noted Mahomes’ ability to avoid pressure in the pocket.
Continue…
Round 4: Alec Eberle, Florida State
Alec Eberle is your classic gritty offensive lineman. He has started 44-straight games for the Florida State Seminoles. He’s passionate, tough and he’s known to be a bit wild during games.
He’s not going to impress you with size or athleticism, but he’s fundamentally sound. Eberle explodes out of his stance with urgency and plays with good pad level. He can be out-leveraged by quicker defenders, but he has good instincts that keep him in the play even when he gets beat.
Eberle isn’t going to move many defenders in the run game, but he has the strength and base to stand defenders up in pass protection. He also plays with good awareness and a desire to finish plays.
Off the field Eberle has consistently been involved in raising money for charity. At his pro day he raised money on the bench press to benefit research into rare blood diseases.
A scout from the Chiefs put Eberle and another Florida State offensive lineman through drills at the Florida State pro day. They certainly could look to add him during Day 3.
Continue…
Round 5: Nick Allegretti, Illinois
If I had to stamp any late-round offensive lineman as being a 10-year NFL professional, Nick Allegretti would be my choice.
During his career at Illinois he’s been rock solid both on and off the football field. He’s a two-time team captain and had 36-straight starts over the past three seasons. Most of those starts have come at the guard position, but he has the commensurate requirements for playing center in the NFL.
He was a standout during the East-West Shrine Game, where he showed off his ability blocking in space. He displayed great power in the run game from his hands all the way to his base. He’s really an ideal fit for a zone-blocking scheme.
Teams will want to see him in an NFL training regiment as he needs to gain more muscle weight to maximize his potential. The lack of body development is one reason why I think he won’t get consideration until Day 3.
Continue…
Round 6: Bruno Reagan, Vanderbilt
Bruno Reagan has a ton of experience with 40 consecutive starts throughout his career at Vanderbilt.
At 6-foot-2 and 315 pounds, Reagan’s size lends itself to natural leverage. He has a play through the whistle mentality, which will go over well in the NFL. He excels at driving defenders away from the play as a run blocker, and he does a good job on combo blocks.
In pass protection, Reagan has heavy hands. His foot speed isn’t quite up to par for what he’ll need in the NFL, especially with the quickness of defensive linemen. He’ll need some developmental time and technique adjustments there.
Reagan has already visited Arrowhead Stadium’s practice facilities as part of this seasons Regional Combine Invitational. He was a standout offensive lineman in the bunch.
Continue…
Round 7: James O’Hagan, Buffalo
How often is your quarterback bigger that your offensive lineman? In the case of James O’Hagan, he’s dealt with it for three seasons, with the 6-foot-8 Tyree Jackson as his quarterback.
This All-MAC center was the anchor for the Buffalo offensive line, especially as a pass protector. He uses his background as a high school wrestler in his game, showing explosive quickness in short areas and good hand-fighting in pass protection.
O’Hagan’s potential for growth in an NFL weight room is rather limited as his 6-foot-3 and 300 pound frame seems to be maxed-out. He can however improve his technique as a run blocker for the NFL.
One thing O’Hagan has going for him with the Chiefs is that he’s blocked for a mobile quarterback with a big arm for the past three seasons. Does that type of quarterback sound familiar? He’s also mostly snapped out of shotgun, which is what they’re working out of in Kansas City because of Patrick Mahomes.
Honorable mention late-rounders/UDFAs: Jared Weyler (Minnesota), Tyler Davis (Citadel) and Vitas Hrynkiewicz (Youngstown State)
Potential Chiefs prospects
Quarterbacks
Running backs (Coming soon)
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive tackles (Coming soon)
Guards (Coming soon)
Centers
Defensive tackles (Coming soon)
Defensive ends (Coming soon)
Linebackers (Coming soon)
Cornerbacks
Safeties
