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We’re nearing the end. I’ve got all my prospects done and we only have one more episode of the AP Chiefs Draft Show until our two insta-reaction shows on draft weekend.
A little over a week out and the rumors keep getting hotter. We’ve got discussions of a three-team trade between the Bills, Browns and Giants. We’ve got Josh Allen as Cleveland’s pick. Among other things, we have buzz from Daniel Jeremiah that the Chiefs are looking to move into early round two for a cornerback.
With that news, I had to at least add one ideal fit to the five other players I was planning on profiling today. Here are six new prospects worth keeping an eye on next week:
Isaiah Oliver, Cornerback
6” | 201 lbs | Colorado
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Projected Draft Range: late first to early second round
Games watched: Colorado State, Texas State, UCLA, USC, Washington State
Prospect grade (out of 100): 86.4
I would take him in the: late first to early second round
One sentence bio: Former decathlete and wide receiver turned intriguing press corner.
One sentence scouting report: Long, athletic corner whose best football is still ahead of him.
One play:
If the Chiefs are trading up in round two, Isaiah Oliver would be a logical candidate. Long, athletic corner who should succeed in a press scheme. #ChiefsDraftmas pic.twitter.com/qb4OcBaUnh
— Kent Swanson (@kent_swanson) April 17, 2018
Why he fits in KC: I wouldn’t be excited to give up the assets required to move into round one, but early round two? If the right player is there I can be convinced. Isaiah Oliver fits that mold. Currently my 30th ranked player in the class, Oliver looks even taller on tape than his 6” foot frame. His 33-plus inch arms probably help that.
Oliver would thrive in a press-heavy scheme. His length and ball skills would make him a difficult player to throw on. He’s got an excellent athletic profile to match his frame and ability. If the Chiefs do trade up into the early second, Oliver is a player I’m certainly targeting.
Frank Ragnow, Center
6’ 5” | 312 lbs | Arkansas
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Projected Draft Range: second or third
Games watched: Alabama, Auburn, Texas A&M
Prospect grade (out of 100): 84.3
I would take him in the: second
One sentence bio: Minnesota native and 2017 Preseason All-American.
One sentence scouting report: Talented interior offensive lineman who is recovering from an ankle injury that ended his career prematurely.
One play (courtesy KelcieKrazies):
Frank Ragnow generates so much power, combos with the RG to get the NT 3 yards off the LoS before the RB even gets the ball. He then catches the LB trying to find the hole with 1 hand as he transitions off the combo block. pic.twitter.com/hmB12o2MRm
— Matt Lane (@ChiefinCarolina) March 24, 2018
Why he fits in KC: Ragnow should probably be out of striking distance of the Chiefs, but an ankle injury in 2017 put his immediate availability for the start of the 2018 season in jeopardy. Ragnow can play all spots of the interior offensive line, but his most impressive tape is when he plays as a center. With the ball in his hands, Ragnow plays with excellent timing, showing an ability to reach difficult defensive alignments and create flexibility in the run game.
Ragnow is stout in pass protection and a road grader in the run game. He is still only 21 and has the look of a player with a long career ahead of him. I would be happy with taking Ragnow in the second round, but he could potentially be a significant value in round three as well.
Uchenna Nwosu, EDGE
6’ 2” | 251 lbs | USC
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Projected Draft Range: third round
Games watched: Ohio State, Stanford, Texas
Prospect grade (out of 100): 80.6
I would take him in the: late second to early third
One sentence bio: Once sent home for fighting a teammate before a bowl game and nearly quitting football, Nwosu returned to the game he loves.
One sentence scouting report: Athletic, dynamic pass rusher and chess piece.
One play:
Uchenna Nwosu is still developing as a pass rusher, but he's a dense athlete with great instincts that can contribute as he develops. #ChiefsDraftmas pic.twitter.com/bv4OcL9vfv
— Kent Swanson (@kent_swanson) April 17, 2018
Why he fits in KC: Nwosu is one of only a few prospects to meet Justis Mosqueda’s requirements for Force Players, an athletic testing based formula that is highly predictive of successful pass rushers. While he didn’t have a ton of sack productivity, Nwosu’s athleticism shows up all over the field. He had several pass deflections at the line of scrimmage. While he wasn’t a full time at EDGE his last year at USC, Nwosu came into the combine at an impressive 251 pounds. He should be able to hold up on the edge full time. He should be able to develop nicely into a full-time role there with his great motor, inside counter and above average instincts.
Deadrin Senat, Defensive Lineman
6’ | 314 lbs | USF
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Projected Draft Range: day three
Games watched: East Carolina, San Jose State, Connecticut
Prospect grade (out of 100): 76.3
I would take him in the: late third round
One sentence bio: 2016 USF Defensive MVP, lost his mother in high school.
One sentence scouting report: Strong and powerful defensive lineman, but needs to develop consistency.
One play:
Deadrin Senat is a grown man. He'd be a great add to the defensive front. #ChiefsDraftmas pic.twitter.com/JLVJOHkORt
— Kent Swanson (@kent_swanson) April 17, 2018
Why he fits in KC: Many expected Senat to get a Senior Bowl invite after dominating the East-West Shrine game the week prior. It never came. Senat has a chance to be off the board in day two. He’s big, physical and powerful. He shows the ability to shoot gaps and be stout in the run game. Senat would likely be able to carve out a role early as a rotational player and then have a chance to start in 2019, with a slew of contracts coming off the books on the defensive line.
Dane Cruikshank, Safety
6’ 1” | 209 lbs | Arizona
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Projected Draft Range: day three
Games watched: UCLA, USC
Prospect grade (out of 100): 74.7
I would take him in the: fourth round
One sentence bio: JUCO product who moved to safety his senior year.
One sentence scouting report: Athletic freak who can play as a dynamic weapon in a defensive backfield.
One play:
Don't know how many players can say they picked off Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen, but Dane Cruikshank can say he did. He's an excellent athlete too. #ChiefsDraftmas pic.twitter.com/IOJqHJdMD5
— Kent Swanson (@kent_swanson) April 17, 2018
Why he fits in KC: Cruikshank started getting some attention for his athletic testing scores. Put on the tape and you’ll see a player who is able to use it well. Cruikshank moved from corner to an overhang safety role his senior year. He is able to do some of the things that Minkah Fitzpatrick is able to. He can blitz, he’s active in the run game and can cover receivers, tight ends and running backs. What’s more, he’s a fluid and athletic player who should continue to develop as he gets more reps as a safety. I would be thrilled adding Cruikshank early day three.
P.J. Hall, Defensive Lineman
6’ | 308 lbs | Sam Houston State
Projected Draft Range: day three
Games watched: Incarnate Word, North Dakota State
Prospect grade (out of 100): 72
I would take him in the: fourth round
One sentence bio: Two-time FCS All-American who played some as an edge rusher.
One sentence scouting report: Athletic, explosive, disruptive small school monster with upside to develop.
One play:
300 lb men have no business moving like this. P.J. Hall (92, lined up as stand up EDGE!) is an athletic, powerful, disruptive interior defensive lineman. #ChiefsDraftmas pic.twitter.com/kKahz8XM7R
— Kent Swanson (@kent_swanson) April 17, 2018
Why he fits in KC: While a littler short, Hall is an excellent athlete. He reportedly ran 4.76 40-yard dash at 300-plus pounds. The athleticism certainly shows up on tape, as you can see in the clip above. Hall was a two FCS All-American. He was consistently disruptive in the games I saw, and even showed the ability to lineup as a stand-up edge. If the Chiefs are looking to move to more of a one-gap scheme, Hall would be an interesting player to add to the line. I would like to see him sometime early day three.
AP Chiefs Draft Show
We’ll have discussions on both these players and more this week coming up on the AP Chiefs Draft Show. You can find us on the player below, iTunes and Google Play.
What my grades mean
As a refresher, so you know what the grading scale we use on the show and in this article equates to, here’s a helpful chart:
Grading Scale
Score | Draft Range |
---|---|
Score | Draft Range |
100 | #1 Pick |
95 - 99 | 2-5 |
93 - 94.99 | 6-10 |
87.5 - 92.99 | 11-32 |
83.75 -87.49 | Early 2nd Round |
82.5 - 83.74 | Mid 2nd Round |
81.25 - 82.49 | Late 2nd Round |
75 - 81.24 | 3rd Round |
70 - 74.99 | 4th Round |
68.75 - 69.99 | 5th Round |
62.5 - 68.74 | 6th - 7th Round |
57.5 - 62.49 | Priority FA |
Chiefs Draftmas List
EDGE Dorance Armstrong, Kansas | EDGE Hercules Mata’afa, Washington State | Guard Isaiah Wynn, Georgia | Safety Kyzir White, West Virginia | WR D.J. Moore, Maryland | S Jessie Bates III, Wake Forest | CB Jaire Alexander, Louisville | CB Tarvarus McFadden, Florida State | TE Mike Gesicki, Penn State | DL Tim Settle, Virginia Tech | EDGE Josh Sweat, Florida State | EDGE Kylie Fitts, Utah | Safety Justin Reid | Guard Braden Smith, Auburn | CB DJ Reed, Kansas State | DL Nathan Shepard, Fort Hays State | CB Holton Hill, Texas | CB Issac Yiadom, Boston College | TE Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State | IOL, Billy Price, Ohio State | S Ronnie Harrison, Alabama | S Terrell Edmunds, Virginia Tech | S Jeremy Reaves, South Alabama | TE Ian Thomas, Indiana | RB Nyheim Hines, North Carolina State | RB Jaylen Samuels, North Carolina State | CB Mike Hughes, UCF | S/LB Shaquem Griffin, UCF | EDGE Lorenzo Carter, Georgia | EDGE Genard Avery, Memphis | WR Equanimeous St. Brown, Notre Dame | WR Anthony Miller, Memphis | DL R.J. McIntosh, Miami