Chiefs trying to replicate something they did in 2022 offseason
The Kansas City Chiefs are trying to replicate something they did in the draft last year by taking promising players late in the draft.The Chiefs took several cornerbacks late in the draft last year, and even took Isiah Pacheco with their last pick. Obviously that all turned out to work out well. All of those […]
The Kansas City Chiefs are trying to replicate something they did in the draft last year by taking promising players late in the draft.
The Chiefs took several cornerbacks late in the draft last year, and even took Isiah Pacheco with their last pick. Obviously that all turned out to work out well. All of those guys made huge plays to help win the Super Bowl. They tried to do that with this years draft when it comes to the cornerback spot.
They took Chamarri Connor in the fourth round and another cornerback in the seventh round. With the 250th pick, the Chiefs selected Nic Jones from Ball State.
Jones finished his 2022 season with 64 solo tackles, 22 pass deflections and three interceptions. Those numbers aren't bad at all, and in fact, are pretty good. But he did play at a small school in Ball State, which is one reason he was drafted so late. But there are things on film that you see too.
The Athletic's Dane Brugler broke down his biggest weakness in his draft guide:
Slender frame with a thin bone structure and light muscle tone … underwhelming play strength, and his bark is worse than his bite … will turn his hips prematurely in the route and can be crossed up … can get a tad leggy when attempting to match sudden route breaks … has a bad habit of using his hands to feel for positioning, creating unneeded contact with receivers … flagged four times in 2022 (three pass interference penalties, one defensive holding call) … doesn’t deliver any type of pop as a tackler and allows ball carriers to escape his grasp (only 64 tackles in 37 career games in college) … needs more time in the weight room to develop his body (single-digit reps in the bench press) … missed a total of 10 games the past three seasons, including the second half of his junior year because of knee injury (October 2021).
Don't let that scare you away Chiefs fans, as we have seen some cornerbacks who are on the team right now with similar weaknesses. He does a lot well too. Here is the break down of his strength's from Brugler:
Puts his long arms to good use in press-man and looks to disrupt route timing from the get-go … has a patient, balanced transition process and keeps his footwork and upper body in sync … showed improved comfort level in his look-and-lean technique to find the football … coachable and displays a feel for route development … balances his sight lines to pass off and stay alert in zone … above average ball production as a senior, leading the team in passes defended … was a regular on kick return and punt return coverages, including two blocked punts in his career … young for a four-year college prospect (enrolled at 17) and still has upside as he develops … experienced inside and outside.
Jones seems like a guy who could turn out to be a surprise guy just like the Chiefs had last year. Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams are guys that can help this guy break that late round barrier. The Chiefs need depth and this pick wasn't too bad.
