With the 37th pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Mississippi State DT Chris Jones.
What should we know about Chris Jones? Urban Meyer spoke with his college coach who said he could've been a top five pick next year if he stayed. Also, he can play anywhere! SB Nation's Stephen White wrote this about him:
I saw him as a five-technique defensive end bull rush a left tackle a couple steps, then rip off to hit the quarterback and get a pressure on the play.
I also saw him as lined up in a 4-3 head up on a right tackle and split a double team with the right guard to make a tackle in the backfield against a toss iso on a pretty good running back.
I saw Jones as a three-technique execute a nice jab olé inside for a clean win.
I watched him as a one-technique nose tackle on third-and-1 jack up a left guard, then rip inside of him to tackle a running back for no gain on third-and-1.
Oh, and last but not least, I actually saw this dude line up as a zero nose, jack up the center and make a decent tackle on that good running back I was talking about earlier.
The Chiefs didn't have a major need on the defensive line this season but they could soon with Dontari Poe's deal ending after 2016 and Jaye Howard's after 2017. The Chiefs are preparing for the future which has been their MO with their first pick in recent years.
Jones will be in the rotation along the defensive line with Poe, Howard and Allen Bailey. He may not be a star right away because of the talent on the roster but the Chiefs will have him next to some talented players. He can also play in multiple spots along the line which is important because the Chiefs may not be sure where exactly they want him yet.
Ascending prospect whose production this season matched the flashes he showed on tape. Jones has the quickness off the snap to disrupt in the gaps and the strength to control the point of attack. Like Jordan Phillips, Jones plays with an elevated pad level which needs work. With a body type and skill set to play all along the defensive line in both odd and even fronts, Jones has a chance to come off the board early and make his mark in the pros.
Before this pick, the Jaguars traded up one spot ahead of the Chiefs to draft LB Myles Jack. Which makes me wonder ... were the Chiefs going to take Jack?
Chiefs 2016 draft picks
2nd round: 37 (from 49ers)
2nd round: 59
3rd round: THANKS GOODELL
4th round: 105 (from 49ers)
4th round: 126
5th round: 162 (from Seattle)
5th round: 165
6th round: 178 (from 49ers)
6th round: 203
And the schedule below....
(Central time)
Rounds 2-3
When: Friday, April 29, 6 p.m.
TV: ESPN | NFL Network
Time Per Pick: Seven minutes for the second round, five minutes for the third round
Rounds 4-7
When: Saturday, April 30, 11 a.m.
TV: ESPN | NFL Network
Time Per Pick: Five minutes for rounds 4-6, four minutes for the seventh round