5 Combine Studs Kansas City Chiefs Must Have on Their Short List
All 32 NFL teams are in Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine, and the Kansas City Chiefs are seeking rookie talent to help them return to the postseason. We have already seen a few players participate in the combine, while others are still to come.
Although not every player has participated in the combine, we already know what we can expect from a lot of the players coming out of college.
With the Chiefs in desperate need of help at wide receiver, on the offensive line and on defense, general manager John Dorsey and head coach Andy Reid should keep a close eye on some of these players.
Ereck Flowers, OL, Miami
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There is no doubt that the Chiefs need an offensive lineman to help protect quarterback Alex Smith. The Chiefs need some strength up front, and Ereck Flowers proved he has that.
In his combine workout, Flowers logged 37 repetitions in the bench-press workout, the most among all offensive linemen at the combine.
Smith was sacked 45 times last season, the fourth most in the NFL. Flowers could help Kansas City improve in pass blocking.
Gerald Christian, TE, Louisville
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The Chiefs have a tight end who led the team in catches, receiving yards and touchdown grabs in Travis Kelce. Kelce was injured during his rookie season, making 2014 his true first year playing in the NFL.
Now, Kansas City expects more from him in 2015. But what if the Chiefs add another tight end similar to Kelce?
Gerald Christian impressed scouts when he recorded 28 bench-press reps, the most out of all tight ends, while also showing off a little bit of speed in the 40-yard dash.
If Christian joins the Chiefs, it gives Smith another target who fits the offense and can help the team move the chains and inch closer to the end zone.
Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
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The Chiefs had zero touchdown receptions from wide receivers in 2014. That's all you need to know as to why Kansas City needs to scout several wide receivers at the combine.
Kevin White makes this list because he had one of the best workouts among wide receivers at the combine. With a 4.35 40-yard-dash time, 23 reps in the bench press and an overall impressive college career, White will be one of the more popular wide receivers in the draft.
Assuming he continues to impress at his pro day and private workouts, White might be taken before Kansas City is on the clock with the 18th pick, but it would definitely be worth trading up to get a receiver with his skill set.
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Ben Heeney, LB, Kansas
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Along with Kansas State's Tyler Lockett, Ben Heeney is a local college football player who will likely surprise plenty of fans in the NFL. The former Kansas Jayhawks star did not get much face time because of the limited amount of games he won under Turner Gill, Charlie Weis and Clint Bowen.
Heeney, who has yet to participate in the combine, was one of the best in the nation in solo tackles.
Heeney will likely have one of the best 40-yard-dash times, as he did showcase his closing speed against ball-carriers throughout the past couple of years. He was also key for Kansas in preventing long runs through the middle.
With Derrick Johnson returning, the Chiefs could get Heeney on the third day of the draft and put him beside Johnson. While his draft stock will be low, unless the combine makes scouts change their minds, Heeney will still be a guy who can be an immediate starter and a viable tackler.
J.J. Nelson, WR, UAB
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J.J. Nelson had the fastest 40-yard dash with a 4.29, one of the fastest in recent history. For comparison, Marquise Goodwin ran a 4.27 in 2013. Any time a player has a notable 40-yard-dash time, he is always worth keeping an eye on.
Nelson finished his college career at UAB with 81 catches, 1,618 yards and 19 touchdowns. Statistically speaking, Nelson would be a huge addition and help improve Kansas City's receiving corps.
Nelson is not projected to be taken high in any mock drafts. But after this weekend, some teams may be impressed and could consider him for their offense and special teams.
Combine results courtesy of NFL.com
NFL statistics and college statistics courtesy of ESPN.com
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