The COVID-19 pandemic is changing the way that NFL teams handle their pre-draft meetings with players.
Prior to the pandemic, players were scheduled to take pre-draft visits with teams. Many of those visits didn’t end up happening and while some of them are being made up electronically, others have just fallen by the wayside.
According to Draft Wire’s Justin Melo, Kansas LB Azur Kamara had planned to take a pre-draft visit with the Chiefs, but that visit never happened due to the coronavirus shutdowns. While Kamara has made up one of his other scheduled pre-draft visits via FaceTime, he hadn’t yet spoken to Kansas City. This doesn’t necessarily mean the Chiefs won’t speak with Kamara ahead of the draft, it’s simply a reflection of how things are changing.
Azur Kamara had private visits set up w/ the #Bengals, #Cardinals & #Chiefs. COVID-19 prevented them from happenning.
He's held pre-draft meetings over FaceTime w/ the #Bengals & #Jets. He also has one coming up w/ the #Chargers.
Kamara was impressive at the Sr. Bowl & combine.
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) April 9, 2020
Originally from the Ivory Coast, the 6-3 and 245-pound Kamara was a JUCO transfer, joining Kansas in 2018 as a spot starter. He has played defensive end and JACK linebacker for the Jayhawks. In his senior season and only season as a starter, he recorded 51 tackles, six tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks.
The truth is Kamara needs some work to find success in the NFL. He’s still very raw as a pass-rusher, but he has some natural traits that coaches will want to work with. He likely won’t be a high draft pick but has the potential to be a priority free agent for a team like Kansas City.
Kamara projects as a linebacker for the Chiefs’ scheme, with the ability to line up off-ball and on the line of scrimmage. He’d likely be viewed as a replacement for the 6-2 252-pound Reggie Ragland, who joined the Detroit Lions in free agency.
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