Tag: scouting report

Chiefs scouting report: Iowa Hawkeyes TE Luke Lachey

Could Iowa #Hawkeyes TE Luke Lachey be the heir to Travis Kelce’s throne with the Kansas City #Chiefs?

The Kansas City Chiefs could be in the market for a blocking tight end as Noah Gray steps into a larger role as a pass catcher. Adding more depth and talent to the tight end room is a reasonable next step for the Chiefs as Travis Kelce enters the twilight of his career.

Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Luke Lachey is the son of a former All-Pro left tackle. He’s put together a quality college career despite suffering a season-ending leg injury in 2023 and playing in Iowa’s archaic passing offense. Lachey’s frame is thick and has room to add more mass and round into a full-time in-line option.

Lachey releases off the line with enough speed to pull linebackers up the seam. His understanding of route concepts and leverage mimics past Hawkeye tight ends. Lachey knows how to stem his routes to manipulate defenders and create openings to break into. He finds and sits in the soft holes versus zone coverage.

Lachey lacks the speed and elusiveness to create much after the catch but moves the chains at a high rate. He’s a natural hands catcher who makes adjustments for poor throws that require him to elevate or get low. Lachey is comfortable making catches with defenders in his face because of his impressive concentration at the catch point.

Lachey blocks with a stout base and good contact balance to hold his ground against power rushes. He displaces outside linebackers with his leg drive and opens run lanes through the C-gap. Linebackers struggle to anchor against his power. Lachey projects as a mid-Day 3 prospect.

The Hawkeyes welcome Northwestern to Kinnick Stadium on October 26 at 2:30 p.m. Lachey matches up well against the Wildcats and could author his most productive game of the season.

Chiefs scouting report: North Carolina Tar Heels RB Omarion Hampton

North Carolina Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton could be an ideal target for the Kansas City #Chiefs in the 2025 NFL draft.

Isiah Pacheco and undrafted rookie Carson Steele are the only running backs among the five on Kansas City’s active roster or injured reserve list under contract for next season. The Chiefs must add depth through the 2025 NFL draft to replace their losses and protect themselves against future injuries.

North Carolina Tarheels running back Omarion Hampton is a dense rusher with a muscular build. He packs the power to shed tackle attempts in the backfield or at the line of scrimmage and turn negative plays into nice gains. Hampton drops his pad level in the hole to meet would-be tacklers and dish out punishment.

Hampton’s contact balance and powerful leg drive help him produce yards after contact. He moves the pile in short-yardage situations and drags linebackers or defensive backs for extra yardage. He needs to improve his stiff arm to maximize his power profile.

Hampton lacks elite speed and elusiveness in space, but he makes some surprising jump cuts for a player his size. His speed is good enough to create chunk plays and shouldn’t scare teams away from selecting him in the third round.

Hampton offers some third-down value. He’s a superb pass protector and has the size to stonewall blitzers and some edge rushers. He doesn’t run a larger route tree but makes nice catches outside of his frame.

North Carolina goes on the road to face Virginia at 11 a.m. CST on October 26. The Tar Heels lost their last three games to ACC opponents. Virginia is 1-2 in their last three in-conference games.

Chiefs scouting report: LSU Tigers DE Bradyn Swinson

LSU defensive end Bradyn Swinson would be an excellent addition for the Kansas City #Chiefs in the 2025 NFL draft.

According to Pro Football Focus, Chris Jones is the only Kansas City Chiefs defender averaging four quarterback pressures per game this season. General Manager Brett Veach needs to pursue a new pass-rushing option in the 2025 NFL draft to take some pressure off Jones and win more plays off the edge.

LSU Tigers defensive lineman Bradyn Swinson is an electrifying pass rusher who operates best in two-point stances on the edge. His burst off the line makes him a significant threat as a speed rusher, and his long arms help him convert speed to power or deploy counters to attack the B-gap.

Swinson’s accurate hand placement grants him easy access to the offensive tackle’s chest. He doesn’t have a thick frame but generates a surprising amount of knockback with his heavy hands and powerful arm extensions. That knockback opens the B-gap or drives the offensive tackle into the pocket.

Swinson wins through the B-gap with swipe and swim counters and through the offensive tackle’s frame with speed to power. He also wins on the outside track with his explosiveness and bend. Swinson lacks elite bend but is flexible enough to get low and flatten his rush angle.

Against South Carolina earlier this year, LSU gave Swinson some snaps walked down in the A-gap like a blitzing linebacker. The Gamecocks didn’t have athletic enough interior players to handle his attacks. Creative defensive coordinators use this type of defensive alignment manipulation in the NFL, and Swinson has all the traits to fill the role.

Swinson uses his long arms to stack and shed blocks in the run game and possesses the burst to make plays as a backside run defender. However, his primary value comes from his pass rush. He’s applying pressure on 17% of his pass rush reps this season and enters Week 8 half a sack behind South Carolina’s Kyle Kennard for the SEC lead.

After a three-game homestand, the Tigers will travel to face Arkansas on October 19 at 6:00 p.m. CST. The Razorbacks were idle this past Saturday and are two weeks removed from upsetting the Tennessee Volunteers.

Chiefs scouting report: Alabama Crimson Tide LB Deontae Lawson

Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Deontae Lawson could be a target for the Kansas City #Chiefs in the 2025 NFL draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs have three quality linebackers, but Nick Bolton’s rookie contract expires after this season. Considering some of the team’s current large contracts and important players heading to free agency in 2026, Kansas City should look into selecting a linebacker in the 2025 NFL draft.

Crimson Tide linebacker Lawson wears the green dot for Alabama’s defense because of his high football IQ and communication skills. He defeats climbing linemen in the run game with several moves, including swims and swipes. His burst helps him beat offensive linemen to their landmarks in the run game.

Lawson sometimes overcommits and fits the wrong gap as a run defender, but he usually remains patient at the second level and triggers once he finds the right gap. Unlike his teammate, Jihaad Campbell, Lawson lacks the arm length and power to shed blocks quickly, so he relies on his speed to defeat blockers.

Lawson excels in short to intermediate zone coverages. He recognizes and anticipates routes and reads the quarterback’s eyes to undercut throwing lanes. Lawson reads and reacts to throws quickly, leading to pass breakups. He projects as a fourth-round selection in the upcoming draft.

Alabama travels to Neyland Stadium this Saturday to face No. 11 Tennessee at 2:30 p.m. The Crimson Tide lost 52-49 the last time they went on the road to face the Volunteers.

Chiefs scouting report: California Golden Bears RB Jaydn Ott

If the #Chiefs want to select a RB in the 2025 NFL draft, they should consider looking at California Golden Bears rusher Jaydn Ott.

The Kansas City Chiefs must add running back depth in the 2025 NFL draft. Three running backs on their roster hit free agency after the season, and the recent injury to Isiah Pacheco revealed how heavily the team relies on him. Fortunately, there are plenty of running back prospects in the upcoming class.

California Golden Bears rusher Jadyn Ott is an explosive one-cut running back with the acceleration to blow past the defense’s second level. Linebackers can’t match his burst and struggle to maintain their pursuit angles. Safeties who take steep downhill paths to the football find themselves trailing Ott.

Ott patiently surveys gaps behind the line of scrimmage until he spots an opening and darts through it. The junior processes run lanes quickly, using his fast footwork and excellent lower body control to maneuver through traffic. Once he spots an opening, he makes a sharp cut and slams on the accelerator.

Ott offers value as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. He showcases impressive urgency with his routes to give the quarterback an open target early in the play. Linebackers struggle to stick with Ott’s speed on routes. He’s a natural hands catcher who hasn’t dropped a pass since 2022.

The Chiefs could select Ott on the draft’s third day. Ott is an intriguing prospect, but he lacks the size of an every-down back and projects best as a rotational player. He offers a nice change of pace compared to Pacheco and Carson Steele.

The Golden Bears face North Carolina State on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 2:30 p.m. CST. Both programs lost their last two games by one-score differences.

Chiefs scouting report: Alabama Crimson Tide LB Jihaad Campbell

The Kansas City #Chiefs could target Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell in the 2025 NFL draft.

Nick Bolton’s rookie contract expires after this season, meaning the Kansas City Chiefs need to give him a significant raise or find a replacement in the 2025 NFL draft. An Alabama linebacker in the upcoming class could contribute as a rookie alongside Leo Chenal and Drue Tranquill.

Alabama defender Jihaad Campbell is an athletic freak with terrific arm length and speed for an off-ball linebacker. The Crimson Tide’s coaching staff sometimes deploys him as a pass rushing outside linebacker because of his explosiveness and bend to win as a speed rusher. Those traits translate to his work off the ball.

Campbell is a fluid athlete with the natural athleticism and short-area quickness to elude climbing linemen in the run game. He triggers downhill with the burst to fire through gaps and bring down the running back quickly. Campbell’s speed helps him flow horizontally and make plays against wide zone runs.

Offensive linemen and tight ends struggle to contain Campbell. His superior arm length and looseness help him separate from blocks and redirect to the football. He makes plenty of plays in pursuit and limits potential big plays by shedding blocks and wrapping up the running back.

Campbell is a unique asset in pass coverage. He’s still developing his natural feel for zone assignments but has the speed and range to bracket slot receivers and tight ends vertically. He appears to play with rare awareness and understanding of downfield coverages. Campbell projects as a second or third-round selection.

The Crimson Tide travel to Tennessee to play a pivotal game against the No. 11 Volunteers on Saturday, October 19 at 2:30 p.m. Both of Alabama’s and Tennessee’s last two games ended with one-score point differentials.

Chiefs scouting report: Oregon Ducks DT Derrick Harmon

The Kansas City #Chiefs could select Oregon #Ducks defensive tackle Derrick Harmon in the 2025 NFL draft to pair with Chris Jones.

Kansas City Chiefs superstar Chris Jones and savvy veteran Tershawn Wharton form one of the NFL’s best interior defensive line combinations. Unfortunately, Wharton hits free agency after this season, which opens the door for Kansas City to draft a new defensive tackle.

Oregon Ducks lineman Derrick Harmon could be a logical target for the Chiefs in the 2025 NFL draft, and could make an excellent running-mate for Jones as Kansas City tries to sustain its defensive juggernaut.

Harmon is an explosive athlete who fires off the line and engages his hands early in the play. His long arms help him lock out offensive linemen and execute pass-rush moves. Harmon needs to develop a larger arsenal of moves, but he already knows push-pulls, rips, two-handed swipes, swim moves, and club-swims.

Harmon’s combination of high-effort play, leg drive, and arm length make him an imposing force. He establishes long-arm moves to pry the offensive lineman’s pad level up and drives his legs to walk the blocker backward. When the offensive lineman re-anchors, Harmon counters with a rip move to squeeze past the block and pursue the quarterback.

Harmon also makes an impact in the run game. He uses his long arms to stack, peak and shed blockers with ease. Offensive linemen struggle to clamp down and contain him. Harmon disengages from single blocks with limited difficulty. He’s powerful enough to drive run blockers into the backfield and disrupt the play.

Harmon’s high-hipped frame limits his agility. This creates problems with bending around offensive linemen and corralling quarterbacks in the pocket. He needs to convert more of his disruptive plays into sacks and tackles for loss.

The Ducks go on the road to face Purdue on Friday, Oct. 18 at 8:00 p.m. The Boilermakers only have one win this season but took Illinois to overtime last Saturday.

Chiefs scouting report: Ohio State Buckeyes DE Jack Sawyer

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer could be a target for the Kansas City #Chiefs in the 2025 NFL draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs have a few long-term answers at defensive end. Mike Dana signed a contract extension in April to remain with the team through the 2026 season, and George Karlaftis is trending toward earning an extension after his rookie deal expires. The Chiefs are still missing a reliable third option along the edge.

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer’s development took a massive leap in 2023. He uses a quick first step to get off the line and engage in hand-to-hand combat with the offensive tackle. His active and violent hands generate some knockback on contact.

Sawyer’s pass rush arsenal includes converting speed to power, swims, club-swims, spins, long-arms, rips, and cross-chops. While he knows a large variety of moves, Sawyer’s timing and deployment of his pass rush plan are inconsistent. He lacks elite bend to beat tackles around their outside shoulders consistently but gets low enough to turn the corner at the top of the arc.

Sawyer often relies on countering into the B-gap. He pushes linemen vertically before using his hands and momentum to pry open the B-gap and attack inside. Sawyer also uses inside swim, spin, and club counters, but he telegraphs these moves and makes them too easy to mirror.

Sawyer took his run defense to another level in 2023. He sets the edge well and times his block-shedding to separate from linemen and bring down the ball carrier. Sawyer plays with impressive effort in pursuit and delivers some big hits. His anchor gives out at the point of attack occasionally.

Sawyer and his teammate, J.T. Tuimoloau, form one of college football’s best pass-rush duos. Either defensive end could be in play for the Chiefs in the second round.

Ohio State travels to Eugene to face No. 3 Oregon on Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m. CST. Both programs are 5-0 and feature multiple top-100 prospects. Oregon is the first of four ranked Big Ten teams remaining on Ohio State’s schedule.

Chiefs scouting report: Washington State Cougars DE Syrus Webster

Washington State Cougars DE Syrus Webster could be a great late-round option for the Kansas City #Chiefs in the 2025 NFL draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs have the league’s best interior pass rusher on their roster, but there’s room to improve the depth in their edge room. Washington State Cougars defensive end Syrus Webster is a great locker-room presence and leader who provides a late-round option for Kansas City.

He transferred to Washington State in 2024 after earning All-Conference honors in consecutive seasons at Utah Tech. His frame is undersized, and his arm length is not ideal, which contributes to his late-round profile.

Webster’s active hands compensate for his lack of length and help him violently attack the offensive tackle’s hands. His pass rush plan consists of speed rushes, two-handed swipes, swims, club-swims and push-pulls. Webster’s polished spin move is the best weapon in his arsenal.

As a pass-rusher, Webster makes use of exceptional counter moves when his initial plan stalls, and he counters into the B-gap when he feels a path to the quarterback open. Unfortunately, he lacks the explosiveness and bend to provide a consistent threat around the outside.

Webster’s excellent motor shows up in run defense. He resets his hands frequently while stacking and peaking around blockers. Webster keeps offensive linemen out of his pads on most plays, but he struggles to hold the point of attack when blockers get into his frame.

Washington State’s next game is against Fresno State on October 12 at 6:00 p.m CST.

Chiefs scouting report: Cincinnati Bearcats OT John Williams

The Kansas City #Chiefs should consider selecting Cincinnati Bearcats left tackle John Williams in the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Kansas City Chiefs continue rotating through short-term fixes at left tackle, and the position remains a glaring weakness amid their effort to secure a Super Bowl three-peat. If the Chiefs avoid committing premium assets to the role, they could take another shot at filling the spot in the middle rounds of the 2025 NFL draft.

Cincinnati Bearcats lineman John Williams primarily plays left tackle but took some snaps on the right side of the line in 2020 and 2021. He uses his thick upper frame and wide base to anchor in pass protection. Rushers struggle to overcome his power and rarely find success bullrushing through the center of his frame.

Williams lacks elite explosiveness in his kick step but has enough speed to protect his outside shoulder. He adjusts his movement’s tempo to match the pass rusher’s speed and keeps the door shut on B-gap counters. When Williams goes on the offensive, he uses his jump set to engage the rusher and overpower them quickly.

Williams’ arms meet the NFL’s thresholds for an offensive tackle, but he doesn’t maximize his length. He needs to deploy his hands sooner and prevent defenders from gaining access to his chest. Williams’ punches pack the power to stun and stall pass rushers when he engages his hands early in the play.

Cincinnati plays on the road against UCF on October 12 at 2:30 p.m. CST.  The Bearcats are 3-2 this season with one-score losses to Pittsburgh and Texas Tech.