The 2020 pre-draft process has been a unique one, and with the absence of traditional pro days, much of the true NFL interests remain a mystery. Even Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach is preparing for the unexpected in this draft.
Your mock draft simulators are probably telling you that these players will be available long after the first round, but that’s not a certainty. None of us know how the draft will turn out and more likely than not there will be some surprises along the way. Veach even has a history of being bold and bullish with the players that he likes.
The following three players are being underrated as potential first-round draft picks. I could also see any of them ending up with Kansas City when it’s all said and done.
Colorado WR Laviska Shenault Jr.
If there’s one receiver being overlooked as a first-rounder it’s Colorado WR Laviska Shenault Jr., who is on the mend from a core muscle injury. Really a big reason that he’s being overlooked is because of his extensive injury history. During the 2018 season, he dealt with a toe injury and a torn labrum, both of which required surgery. He only missed a total of three games with those two injuries.
Shenault Jr. has eye-popping production in his 31 games with the Buffaloes. During that span, he recorded 149 receptions for 1,948 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging over 13 yards per catch. The 6-1 and 227-pound receiver has been named one of the most elusive receivers in this draft class. He’s forced 44 missed tackles since 2018 according to Pro Football Focus, and that number is good for the most in this draft class. His numbers after the catch are staggering with a total of 7.7 yards averaged throughout his career.
His versatility is something should spark the interest of Andy Reid and the Chiefs’ coaching staff. Shenault Jr. is a threat rushing the ball, with 42 career rushing attempts for 280 yards and seven touchdowns. He can line up outside, in the backfield, and even in the slot with over 28% of his catches coming lined up inside. Another 21% of his catches came on screen passes, which are a big part of Reid’s gameplan in Kansas City.
Our friends at Touchdown Wire recently compared Shenault Jr. to Sammy Watkins. It’s not a perfect comparison. For instance, Watkins was a much more polished route runner coming out of college. However, if the Chiefs are looking for their future replacement for Watkins in the first round, Shenault Jr. makes a ton of sense as an understudy in Kansas City.