By: James Jefferson Chiefs Focus @ChiefsFocus
The scouting combine this week, provides general managers, team scouts, and fans a chance to see some of the best prospects who will be in the NFL draft next month. For the Chiefs specifically, they need depth at the wide receiver position, so here are some guys they will watch at the combine to potentially draft.
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Quentin Johnston, TCU
Johnston is in the eyes of many scouts, an extremely gifted receiver. He’s 6’4, 212 lbs, and runs an estimated 40-yard dash time of 4.3 seconds. In the 2022 season, he accumulated 60 catches for 1,069 yards and six touchdowns. A dream prospect for any NFL team. Johnston’s biggest strength is his ability to be an elite playmaker, particularly against zone defense and exposing a defense’s biggest holes.
Potential weakness scouts see in Johnston is his inability to be consistent in contested-catch opportunities, but expect him to be coveted by many teams in this upcoming draft including the Chiefs.
2. Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee
Hyatt’s junior year at Tennessee was the best in the country as he earned the Biletnikoff Award for Most Outstanding Receiver. He accumulated 67 catches for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns. Most scouts believe his biggest strength is his ability to stretch the field vertically and his ability to be explosive which fits right into the Chiefs’ offensive system.
Potential weaknesses according to most scouts are his size (he’s only 6’0, 175 lbs), and how well he can transition into an NFL style of offense.
3. Rashee Rice, SMU
Rice is similar to Johnston in terms of his size. He’s 6’3, 206 lbs. In the 2022 season, Rice accumulated 96 catches, 1,355 yards and 10 touchdowns. His biggest strength according to scouts is his size and athleticism. He can also make defenders miss in space.
The only concern is his consistency with drops but that can be improved over time.
If Kansas City does decide to take a receiver in the first round of the draft next month, these are certainly three guys to keep an eye on at the scouting combine. The combine runs from February 28-March 6.
