Typically, over the course of the final weeks leading up to the draft, the Chiefs would bring in an allotted 30 prospects for a pre-draft visit in Kansas City. These are commonly referred to as top-30 visits. As of March 13, the NFL has prohibited these types of visits due to the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping through the nation. They’ve replaced the visits with forms of video communication with teams, giving the pre-draft process a whole new dynamic.
During top-30 visits, prospects will get a chance to tour team facilities, meet with position coaches, front office executives, and scouts. On occasion, they’ll get a chance to meet with a few players who are at the facility. Really this is a way for NFL teams to fill in some blank spaces in their scouting reports. It’s important for players with a medical history, off-field concerns and more. It’s an opportunity to see if a player will gel with team culture, that you don’t get elsewhere in the pre-draft process.
Despite the cancellations of these visits we’re still getting word about players who had plans to visit 1 Arrowhead Drive. Our friend Justin Melo from Draft Wire reports that LSU OT Saahdiq Charles and Auburn CB Javaris Davis had visits scheduled with the Chiefs. Charles also had a formal with Kansas City at the combine.
#LSU OT Saahdiq Charles has been busy.
Combine formals: #Chiefs, #Redskins, #Patriots, #Packers, #Vikings, #Eagles & #Dolphins.
He had a private visit w/ the #Eagles on Mar 12.
Other sked private visits impacted by COVID-19: #Bears, #Packers, #Redskins, #Chiefs, #Patriots.
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) March 17, 2020
Charles is a player that could benefit greatly from a top-30 visit. He was suspended for six games during LSU’s championship season. Now he’ll have answer questions about character concerns from a distance and it’ll be harder to convince teams to take a chance on him in the draft. The Chiefs had the benefit of having a formal with him at the combine, but it’s clear they had some follow-up they wanted to do.
CB Javaris Davis (@javariusdavis1) ran a 4.39 on a tight hamstring & has been popular.
Combine formals: #Colts, #Cowboys, #Giants, #Falcons & #Rams.
Private workout w/ the #Bengals. COVID-19 ex'd out mtgs w/ the #Jets, #Dolphins, #Patriots, #Lions, #Ravens, #Chiefs & #Raiders
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) March 17, 2020
Davis was a beacon of consistency during his time at Auburn. As a part-time starter for his first two seasons and a full-time starter in his final two seasons, Davis put up 150 total tackles, eight interceptions, and 27 passes defended. Davis also happened to be one of the fastest corners in this draft class, posting a 4.39 40-yard dash at the combine.
The lack of top-30 visits won’t stifle the interests of the Chiefs. Keep in mind Kansas City has drafted several players who’ve taken top-30 visits with the team since Brett Veach has been general manager. They’ll clearly have to pivot their strategy with this new process.
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