{"id":20228,"date":"2025-04-12T16:28:24","date_gmt":"2025-04-12T16:28:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=20228"},"modified":"2025-04-12T16:28:24","modified_gmt":"2025-04-12T16:28:24","slug":"%f0%9f%94%a5-did-the-chiefs-just-unlock-a-secret-weapon-what-a-redshirt-draft-could-mean-for-kcs-future-%f0%9f%8f%88%f0%9f%91%80","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=20228","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udd25 Did the Chiefs Just Unlock a Secret Weapon? What a Redshirt Draft Could Mean for KC&#8217;s Future \ud83c\udfc8\ud83d\udc40"},"content":{"rendered":"<p id=\"iaca6S\">What if Kansas City used its draft picks on players who needed a year of development?<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/thumbor\/i6LcJ5KMCzzbMLoDY_b2CQcijZU=\/1400x1050\/filters:format(jpeg)\/cdn.vox-cdn.com\/uploads\/chorus_asset\/file\/25950595\/2182604876.jpg\" alt=\"Chiefs Draft: Which prospects could benefit from a redshirt season? -  Arrowhead Pride\" \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"HuC15b\">Mock drafts are often based on each team\u2019s current needs for the coming season. But we rarely think about what happens beyond a player\u2019s rookie season \u2014 and we should. After all, a draft selection represents a four or five-year core investment. Sometimes a team doesn\u2019t expect much from a drafted player during their rookie season, but is anticipating greater production during the rest of their rookie contract.<\/p>\n<p id=\"uEswl9\">So let\u2019s consider four prospects who might not give the Chiefs much help in 2025 \u2014 but with a redshirt year to grow and develop, could become valuable contributors in 2026 and beyond.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"gLCyaE\"><strong>Round 1 (31): CB Trey Amos, Mississippi<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p id=\"PCvNag\">The Chiefs should feel good about their starting cornerbacks, but there are some questions beyond the coming season. It\u2019s very likely Trent McDuffie will be given a contract extension, but Jaylen Watson will probably become a free agent \u2014 and given his injury history, Kristian Fulton could easily be released to save $5 million in cap space. Drafting Amos could give the team some insurance for 2026.<\/p>\n<p id=\"3r5sQH\">As an older prospect, the 23-year-old might play immediately \u2014 and to his credit, I think he could. Among the cornerbacks likely to be available at 31, he\u2019s my favorite. The others are Benjamin Morrison of Notre Dame and Shavon Revel Jr. of East Carolina. Revel just turned 24 and is coming off an ACL injury. The 21-year-old Morrison is the better bet in terms of age, but has had multiple hip injuries; there are questions about how he recovers athletically.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Ole Miss\/Alabama CB Trey Amos against Xavier Worthy, Brock Bowers, Roman Wilson, and Brian Thomas.<\/p>\n<p>Then just some dope plays at the end. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Eyh2n3LxEl\">pic.twitter.com\/Eyh2n3LxEl<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/HaydenWinks\/status\/1906545603943026699?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 31, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p id=\"hcohkj\">Amos is best in in zone coverage, where his speed, ball skills and instincts to sink on routes are big advantages \u2014 but he can also thrive in man coverage. While he isn\u2019t super long or physical, he does have quick, fluid feet to match releases and routes.<\/p>\n<p id=\"RExBVL\">In 2024, Kansas City played more quarters coverages \u2014 where Amos would be great \u2014 but since he can also play in man coverages, he\u2019s a great scheme fit for any defense. That\u2019s especially true for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo\u2019s versatile scheme.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"ayIDee\"><strong>Round 2 (63): TE Mason Taylor, LSU<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p id=\"1ce7iW\">It usually takes years to develop an NFL tight end, so it\u2019s important to acquire one before Travis Kelce retires. I think it\u2019s better to get with elite receiving traits \u2014 a harder-to-find skillset \u2014 but who still needs more strength development. Taylor fits that bill.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I like Mason Taylor as a flex TE a fair bit. Good fluidity for his size and understands how to run routes to create separation. Makes some nice out-of-frame catches, too.<\/p>\n<p>Reminds me of Tyler Higbee. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/6defjOhEsc\">https:\/\/t.co\/6defjOhEsc<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/w2cWmNkq8K\">pic.twitter.com\/w2cWmNkq8K<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BenjaminSolak\/status\/1904965182201147769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 26, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p id=\"FwUcKK\">A smooth athlete who can use his agility to create separation from defenders, Taylor doesn\u2019t lose speed on his cuts. While he isn\u2019t a very explosive route runner, he can still win on any route over the middle of the field. Taylor has the instincts to find holes in zone coverage and open space on scramble drills \u2014 and can beat man coverage, too.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ckTiNR\">The problem is that Taylor needs plenty of work as a blocker. LSU did its best to keep him out of their running game \u2014 because when he was asked to block, it rarely went well. If Taylor never had to block, he\u2019d be a top-50 prospect.<\/p>\n<p id=\"RWwwMs\">But this doesn\u2019t mean he\u2019ll never be able to do it. He might just need a few years to improve his blocking. Taylor has just turned 21 \u2014 and at 6 feet 5 and 250 pounds, he has the frame to get stronger. He could use a redshirt rookie season to mold his body into what he will need in the NFL.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"wOZmnc\"><strong>Round 3 (66): S Andrew Mukaba, Texas<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p id=\"sllbr8\">In 2026, Bryan Cook will be a free agent \u2014 and I would love Mukaba as his replacement.<\/p>\n<p id=\"jSKAaF\">He isn\u2019t a Cook clone. Instead, he is a quarters safety who is elite in the box and triggering downhill on runs. A great tackler and run-support player, he does have some limitations in coverage \u2014 but as the Chiefs transition to a quarters defense, Mukaba would fit right in.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Andrew Mukaba with the hit of the year \ud83e\udd18\ud83c\udffd<br \/> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/xoPhfX9dGC\">pic.twitter.com\/xoPhfX9dGC<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Chuy Vasquez (@loslonghorns) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/loslonghorns\/status\/1865777740693090616?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 8, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p id=\"eHxGDu\">With Mukaba alongside Jaden Hicks, Kansas City would have two huge, athletic, explosive safeties who can tackle in space and blow up runs. I would love watching that.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"EHYMi7\"><strong>Round 3 (95): DT Joshua Farmer, Florida State<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p id=\"ilpqOa\">While the Chiefs need defensive tackles in 2025, I selected a project player who needs development for this exercise.<\/p>\n<p id=\"7RGGWv\">In 2024, Florida State was a mess, going 2-10. The team\u2019s players weren\u2019t well-developed (and the vibe was poor from the start), so it\u2019s hard to glean too much from the tape.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Joshua Farmer<\/p>\n<p>Farmer, a 4-year player from FSU, is a versatile DT that could slot into a 3-4 scheme as an end or a 4-3 scheme as a DT.<\/p>\n<p>Pros:<br \/>\n\ud83d\udd39Maintains good pad level.<br \/>\n\ud83d\udd39Explosive first couple of steps.<br \/>\n\ud83d\udd39Has ideal size and strength to\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/3UARUKcdP5\">pic.twitter.com\/3UARUKcdP5<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Due Champions (@DueChampions) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DueChampions\/status\/1909701631341396392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 8, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p id=\"2kaevh\">Still, Farmer showed high-level traits. He has elite length, decent size and a dynamic first step that lets him get into the backfield. While he has some pass-rushing juice, he can also defend against the run.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ETWa2K\">Before he can become an NFL starter, though, Farmer needs better pad level and more tools in his pass-rushing bag \u2014 but he has the traits to become a high-impact defender. He just needs time to develop.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What if Kansas City used its draft picks on players who needed a year of development?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":20229,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20228","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kansas-city-chiefs"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>\ud83d\udd25 Did the Chiefs Just Unlock a Secret Weapon? 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