Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid hopes to get his team back in the playoffs after a somewhat disappointing 9-7 season last year. One way to do that is to get some players who can contribute immediately in the NFL draft. ESPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper Jr. listed four players who could fit with Kansas City with the 18th overall pick.
Wide receivers Breshad Perriman from Central Florida and Jaelen Strong from Arizona State were mentioned as possibilities as were offensive linemen Ereck Flowers from Miami and La'El Collins of LSU.
"It's probably going to fall where it's an offensive lineman or wide receiver, I believe," Kiper told the media.
Kansas City did just hand out a big contract to free agent wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, whom Reid drafted when he was with the Philadelphia Eagles. However, Kiper made the good point that "You don't need one (receiver), you need two."
Perriman posted an impressive 40-yard dash time at his school's pro day recently, reportedly running a stellar 4.19. His big frame (6-foot-2, 212 pounds) is also a big positive among scouts.
"I think Perriman would be a guy [for the Chiefs] to certainly look at," Kiper said.
"Strong is roughly the same size and ran a 4.44 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine last month.
"Big, physical wide receiver," Kiper said. "Ran a lot better and tested a lot better athletically than people thought. He caught the Hail Mary pass to beat USC. He would certainly be a guy in that mix."
The Chiefs lost starting center Rodney Hudson to the Oakland Raiders in free agency this offseason. Three other O-linemen who started games for KC last season remain unsigned, including right tackle Ryan Harris.
"If you want the right tackle, you'd be looking at Ereck Flowers from Miami of Florida," Kiper said. "At that point he would make sense. La'El Collins from LSU, a great lineman, very versatile out of LSU. Can play left tackle ,right tackle (or) guard. He would certainly make sense."
