We sure these guys are better than Kingsley as prospects? ****ing wooof Conerly.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mike Green on Josh Conerly. OMG. <br><br>��<br><br> <a href="https://t.co/GJqkQurdsO">pic.twitter.com/GJqkQurdsO</a></p>&mdash; Savage (@SavageSports_) <a href="https://twitter.com/SavageSports_/status/1884645032763732056?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I’ve seen some positive press on Aireontae Ersery this week

One to keep an eye on is Carson Vinson out of Alabama A&M. Not a day 1 starter but has a lot of intriguing qualities. Also the reports on him at the senior bowl practice m have been very positive. Might be climbing boards.

http://https://atozsports.com/nfl/ka...yers-to-watch/

Yeah. Not good

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="in" dir="ltr">Unreal dip from Donovan Ezeiruaku <a href="https://t.co/IlAaYWgcRt">pic.twitter.com/IlAaYWgcRt</a></p>&mdash; Carter Donnick (@CDonnick1) <a href="https://twitter.com/CDonnick1/status/1884662187974967754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 29, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I've seen some suggest Simmons could go in the top 12-15...

I saw someone suggest Armand Membou as LT1 in this draft.

I mean...damn. What a meteoric rise THAT would be.

I honestly never viewed him as a LT at the next level, let alone a blue chipper. I just wonder what I was missing.

Then again, I know I'm pretty much completely reeruned when it comes to OL evaluation so there's that to consider...

He absolutely might depending on his medicals. Without the injury, he's probably a top 10 pick.

Let’s draft that Mike Green guy

Yeah, apparently he's been solid. Though these 1-on-1s don't give you "a lot" of true info. It doesn't help when a guy gets blown up on a rep though.

Conversely, I've seen a lot of bad on Emery Jones Jr from LSU. Some thought he could make the transition from RT to LT... apparently not doing so hot at all anywhere.

Really why I keep coming back to CB and RB with our first and/or 2nd rounders.

I just don't see a solution to LT that's going to be available for us. We're likely going to be better served re-signing Humphries (or acquiring another fallback vet option) while hoping for additional development from Kingsley and Morris.

Fix what we can fix. Don't go chasing points, so to speak.

I'm increasingly of the same opinion. I didn't particularly like this OT class but was talking myself into it...I'm talking myself out again. With the possible exception of Simmons if he's close. I was worried about Conerly's strength and that rep doesn't make me feel any better, as much as I like Green.

I'd resign Humphries as insurance either way probably. Suspect BPA for me ends up being CB and DT/DE.

This happens pretty much every year and has since Fisher retired. We hyper focus on OTs and watch the shit out of them, only to realize that once again, we are just not in a position to get one.

The last thing this team should do is overcompensate and chase positions in the draft. Just let the draft come to you and take good players. We will eventually hit on a LT. It takes patience.

Talking yourself out of a prospect over one rep is kind of silly don't you think? And this isn't just you that I'm necessarily directing that at because I see more jumping ship on guys.

Conerly didn't give up a pressure in like 10 of 13 games this year or something like that in the BIG 10. He's only giving up 1 sack in each of the past 2 seasons. That's 2 in over 1,000 pass-blocking snaps with something like 15 total pressures. That's against guys like Abdul Carter, JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer, Josaiah Stewart, and Jah Joyner who will all be drafted this year.

Matt Miller and Todd McShay like him a bunch too.

I just don't think you make a conclusion about a guy who ****s up one rep against another 1st round player. I think I would do that when a guy is messing up over and over again and not anchoring. All reports I saw were that the DL was winning all day long. Probably to be expected early and in one-on-ones.

This is not an overly strong class for OTs but there are a few good ones in there. Honestly, Veach has done well drafting away from a class's strengths, which is very weird but effective.

That's the thing about Conerly - he was really good in a very good Big 10. Kind of reminds me of Rashawn Slater. People were concerned about his measureables too.

Yeah it’s early but I’m thinking DL and CB with the first 2 and RB with the third pick.

I suppose that could change if Bolton leaves though

I think it’s Simmons or Conerly if they fall to us in the first, if not, I think we go DE or DT. Maaaybe CB if Barron’s available.

It probably is unfair. But it's a combination of feeling like I've seen a questionable anchor from him at times before, and the fact that as great as Mike Green looks, hes not played through guys like that a lot..

I'm sure it's a bit of confirmation bias, and sometimes you think you see something, like an iffy anchor, and maybe you start looking for it when it's not there. Conorly is one of those guys I see reps I love but the bad ones somehow stick more. Will be interesting to see how he does and how he tests from here.

In any case, it's probably easier to be sceptical about OTs from the back of the 1st onwards. Now if Simmons falls, I think I'm more enthusiastic.

Gray Zabel looks like a Trey Smith replacement

We already have that with Kingsley or Morris. No need to waste draft capital.

Been watching a LOT of Josh Conorly and...I think I might coming round to crow's opinion. Strength still concerns me a little but the feet and hands are real nice. Not sure I'm going up a lot to get him, I'm still favouring the BPA, but if we're getting in to the early 20s and he's there...maybe

That's the thing about Conerly. He's got a lot of good tape in a really good conference, against top competition.

People were concerned about Slater's measurables too.

How are we feeling about Ersery? Looked pretty good in some of the Senior Bowl stuff I saw.

He just looks and feels like the type of guy I'd be bullishly against only for him to turn into an all-star in the league. He's a mammoth but he is quite slow-footed. That mammoth about him though... you can't rock him with power and he's so damn big and long that he's just hard to get around. Speed is really his only issue. If you can get him a little quicker and get his hands a little better, then I think he has a chance to be really quite good. The issue I could see is we pass too much as a team for his type to truly be as good as he'd be for a team like Baltimore.

I'm going to say this, I'm not against him. I do have my reservations about him in this offense but if Veach and Co say yes, then I won't argue it at all.

He'll have to be plug and play and do it well from the start considering he's an older prospect

I actually think Anthony Belton played well this week in practice and in the game today as well. Moves really well for a big as he is

True, I forgot about the age with him

I wouldn't mind if the Chiefs used a mid-round pick on Chase Lundt out of UConn as a RTotF. He needs to get some sand in his pants but the man can move for 6'7" or 6'8" tall. He has excellent hands already. If you can get 25 lbs on that kid to increase his anchor against power, woah boy, I think he has a hitter's chance.

I'm staking whatever reputation I might have (albeit it's not much hahaha) to Josh Conerly in this draft.

I've been on his train after watching him be dominant in the BIG the last couple of seasons and after getting position MVP at the Senior Bowl as well as seeing what some people have said about his week there, I'm sold.

Now it's just up to Veach to go get this cat.

I thought Conerly looked iffy in the game today. I thought Anthony Belton looked better

What’s up with OT Logan Brown? 6-6, 315, 0 sacks over 3 seasons!?

Highest I’ve seen him projected is “mid-round” but consensus board has him in the 7th or undrafted.

He’s got Type 1 Diabetes, but is that really a huge concern these days?

Good god Crow how can you see this guy get repeatedly abused and think he's the man?

Watched a lot of him on Saturdays. I'm not overly concerned about his first rep at RT against Green. I don't like this rep but there weren't many like it and his peers agreed, as well as pundits... for example: https://insidetheiggles.com/eagles-m...en-senior-bowl

Thanks for sharing. From what I saw of him yesterday he does have elite footwork but his size and possible strength aren't concerns for you?

I don't think there's anyone I've yo-yoed more on than Conerly. Broadly, I like the feet, not 100% on the strength. Seeing him lose to power and speed at the Senior Bowl isn't ideal, even if it's a small sample.

My biggest concern isn't that he lacks the ceiling, it's just that I could see him needing another year behind a vet, and in which case do I just take BPA? Going up for a guy I'd probably sit and I'm not convinced by...I dunno. If he turns out an above average LT it'd be worth it.

Also agree that Belton looked much better than I anticipated.

The body of work isn't even close and I love Anthony Belton... as a guard.

Belton was one of my first guys in the Prospects I like thread. I talked about him a bit last year (I'm quite sure) early on before he decided to go back to school.

Belton has issues with speed and penalties. He might have Cam Robinson upside as a LT in the league but that might be a stretch.

Kick that boy inside to LG though and I think you have an absolute animal.

You just can't judge a guy by a few practices and one game. You'll find the one that looks a lot more iffy is actually Belton.

Brugler article out on The Athletic

Senior Bowl winners by position: Which 2025 NFL Draft prospects impressed scouts?

Here are the rest of his picks but I'll point to the article for content:
Quarterback: Tyler Shough, Louisville
Running back: Devin Neal, Kansas
Wide receiver: Jaylin Noel, Iowa State
Tight end: Elijah Arroyo, Miami
Interior offensive line: Grey Zabel, North Dakota State
Edge rusher: Mike Green, Marshall
Defensive tackle: Darius Alexander, Toledo
Linebacker: Jeffrey Bassa, Oregon
Cornerback: Quincy Riley, Louisville
Safety: Dante Trader Jr., Maryland

Not a glowing endorsement saying that he was all-world or anything like that but it at least shows that he and scouts took note of his tenacity and ability to learn and keep going

I thought Belton looked quite light on his feet. Off I were to draft him I would have him rework the body more and play at 330. But he has the size, length, and strength. And showed a good kick step in pass pro.

He'd definitely benefit from dropping about 20 pounds.

A little stat comparison for the two...

Conerly: 2 sacks, 4 hits, 20 hurries for 26 total pressures on 1,091 pass block snaps in his career (2.38%)

Belton: 8 sacks, 3 hits, 34 hurries for 45 total pressures on 1,297 pass block snaps in his career (3.47%).

Belton's 2023 season really did hurt him with 22 pressures. Take that out and he has 23 pressures on 808 snaps, or 2.85%.

Conerly needs a bit more anchor and grip strength, Belton needs a bit less weight and more lateral agility.

I tend to gravitate towards the guy who can move really well already and needs a bit more mass over the guy who's more of the opposite. Hell, I'd love to have both of these guys, especially if Belton falls to the bottom of the 3rd where I'm seeing him projected a lot.

https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2025-...es-senior-bowl

OT ANTHONY BELTON, N.C. STATE

I was so impressed with Belton during Senior Bowl practice week. The 6-foot-5 and 345-pound offensive lineman played snaps at both guard and tackle all week, and he looked like a potential NFL starter at both spots. He was a mauler on tape, both positively and negatively. But in Mobile, he showed quick footwork in addition to an ability to mirror and neutralize speed as well as impose his strength. He checked some unexpected boxes during those practices and his draft stock is rising because of it.

Think we sign a stop gap vet LT tbh

I 100 percent thing it'll be Humphries with how Reids mentioned him in pressers and actively tried to get him to play.

I’ve been coming to the same conclusion recently, he’ll have the time to fully recover and/or get in shape by next season and could be the gem we’d hoped for. Tough not to take that chance considering the current scenario and the lack of immediate starting talent in the draft.

Yeah the way this draft class falls and lack of absolute stud at LT outside of two I’m cool bringing humphries back with a year under his belt to prepare. These prospects kinda worry me and I’d hate to blow another 1st on someone who is a major project.

If we go into 2025 with Humphries as the start left tackle then so be it, but the backup options sure as hell better be someone other than Morris or Suamataia. Humphries has ended the season on IR 4 times in his career, only finishing the full season 4 times. He likely will miss time and I don't see how the group that was arguably the worst group of left tackles in the entire league are a viable backup option. Let's not forget Taylor is probably gone after 2025, so the possibility of going into 2026 with needing both a LT and RT is real.

Depends on who you ask and how they see it right...

Todd McShay has the OTs in his top 100 as:

13. Josh Conerly Jr, Oregon
15. Will Campbell, LSU
18. Josh Simmons, Ohio State
19. Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
28. Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota
53. Anthony Belton, NC State
59. Wyatt Milum, West Virginia
60. Cameron Williams, Texas
68. Emery Jones, Jr., LSU
95. Ozzy Trapilo, Boston College

His OGs are:
14. Armand Membou, Missouri
22. Tyler Booker, Alabama
29. Grey Zabel, N. Dakota State
41. Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
46. Marcus Mbow, Purdue
57. Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona
76. Jared Wilson, Georgia (OC)
77. Jackson Slater, Sacramento State
83. Jonah Monehim, USC (OC)


Maybe no "stud" top-5 guy but having 4 in your top-20 and 5 with 1st round grades is notable. Some guys think Membou stays at RT in the NFL and Campbell moves inside to LG but that still keeps 4 in the top-20.

I’m absolutely for bringing in more competition at OT but I’m not certain there’s any day 1 starters available to us when it comes time for our pick. Seems like we’d have to trade up for Conerly Jr or Simmons. If Humphries wants to come back healthy and compete for the job I’d love to have him here too.

Higher praise than expected for sure

I've seen Simmons anywhere from the teens to viable trade-up range in the mid/late twenties. Saw a couple mocks with the Chiefs taking his teammate, Donovan Jackson for his versatility.

Does anyone else have Conerly in the top 3?

Cameron Erving should've taught everyone that 'versatility' is NEVER a reason to take a player in the 1st round.

Ever.

All it means is that you're not a 1st round caliber player in any specific position. Otherwise THAT would be what leads off your scouting report.

But man, every glowing draft analysis I saw of Cameron Erving led off with 'he's a versatile player who can play anywhere on the line...' and if THAT'S the first thing you're saying about a player, then he's not a first round talent.

If he were, it would be the talent you're leading with.

In terms of potential LTs, Zeurlein does.

Armand Membou 6.46 - sees staying RT, comp to Zach Tom
Will Campbell 6.44 - sees as LT or OG, comp to Taylor Decker/Bernhard Raimann
Kelvin Banks 6.44 - sees as LT or OG, comp to Peter Skoronski/Christian Darrisaw
Donovan Jackson 6.40 - sees as LG ,comp to Wyatt Teller
Josh Conerly Jr 6.36 - sees as LT or OG, no comp
Josh Simmons 6.34 - sees as LT or RT, comp to DJ Humphries
Anthony Belton 6.27 - sees as RT, no comp
Wyatt Milum 6.27 - sees as RT or OG, comp to Braden Smith
Aireontae Ersery 6.23 - sees as RT, comp to Marcus Cannon

**** it. Let’s trade our 2nd and move up for Simmons or Conerly Jr if that’s what’s required. Do we have a lot of positions that could be upgraded, absolutely, but I think we’re all a bit bias. We’ve made it to the damn Super Bowl 3 years in a row and LT is clearly our biggest weakness, maybe our only true weakness. Will it hurt? Yes, it will be painful, but you gotta take your shot.

Doesn’t have to be that expensive depending on where things land, but I’m throwing my hands up and rolling the dice.

The thing you have to understand about that is that it doesn't 'fix' the position in 2025. None of these guys are going to be good to great in year one. Maybe by around 2027.

I'm just not into giving multiple picks for that.

Surprised giard isn't getting talked about more since Smith is likely gone and the guys we drafted last year look like they won't even be in the league in a few years

Umm what? Nourzad looked pretty solid week 18.

The line could use an infusion. Definitely need to get under the hood and find a long term solution at LT and possibly RG. NTM that we go into the season with an injured/poss. suspended Rice and Worthy as WR 1 and 2. Kelce aging and could retire. Pacheco is injury prone with no viable backup. That scares absolutely nobody. The offense was and is a mess.

They drafted 4 offensive lineman in the last two years for a reason. Gotta see these guys to the field. We really need to see Suamataia and Morris on the field and you at least hope Nourzad becomes something

Between the 4 of them, Chiefs really need the right side of Creed and 1 solid depth piece.

Sounds reasonable enough.

Nah you don't pass on talent to hope you have something that works. Not how it works

I appreciate your confidence in our guys development, it’s the right perspective, but I’d also say that we need as much competition at OT as we can afford.

Well, you know, sometimes guys just can't cut it out on the island, but they'll do fine in a phone booth. Crow's right, at least the earlier picks need to show something.

But I wouldn't stop drafting OL.

In THIS draft, I want a DT to complement Jonesy, and a couple of OL and maybe a RB and that is my list.

BUT-that's because this draft is pretty good for those spots. Really, you just need to stack good football players.

Would you trade our 2nd to move up for Simmons?

Seems reasonable, considering we have #66.

Depends. Gotta keep in mind the trade targets too.

I start with Minnesota at 24. Always seem to be willing to move around. You can give them 31 and swap 66 for 97 (comp) and maybe get there. Else 63 for 97. Depends on the charts used.

Who above them might be partners?
Green Bay maybe though they don't trade down a lot. Probably gotta give up a 63 or 66 and might get a 4th 123 back.
Los Angeles Chargers? Probably not
Pittsburgh? Probably not, they tend to move up but not down
Denver? Probably not, hell they may want to move up to get their TE
Arizona? Possibly, they have a GM now that likes to move but they have a lot of picks this year. 63 won't likely get you to 16 though. Probably have to add in pick #95. We might get pick #153 back from them with that.
Atlanta? They are in a sweet spot in that they probably want to move down for more picks with only having 4 (1, 2, 4, 7). That's a for sure 31, 63, and 95 move though. Better be sure about that one.

Overall, I've realized that you probably have to wait and see what makes it to Minnesota. If you like a guy, you pounce. It won't cost a fortune to change spots with them. If you end up giving up 63 and getting back 97, you are still getting a top-100 player and you still have some really good ammo to move around yet.

ATL was my target.

The idea that's holding weight in my brain right now is that if we sign a veteran LT in FA, the Chiefs should draft Donovan Jackson in round 1.

He can start at OG right now and he can back up the LT position. He's got the size you want for either spot.

I don't think many would flinch in the drafturbator community either. He's tied for 17th in Zeurlein's scoring (17-23 all carry a 6.40 grade), he's 34th on Brugler's board, and carries a top-45 grade almost everywhere I've checked.

I know it takes away from my theory that some of our other youth needs to see the field, but if I look at 2026 instead of the immediate, you could have LG Jackson, RG Suamataia, and RT Morris all on the field.

Foods for thought.

Jackson has been on my list for the back of the 2nd with the hope that he slides a bit since he's so closely aligned with a lot of similar style of players.

It wouldn't take much for him to end up being the 2nd best guy on a lot of draft boards when the pick comes up through the middle 2nd. That's how slides happen.

I wouldn't consider it a given, but I think there's a coinflip chance it happens and yeah, I'd be real happy to have him at that point.

But I don't have him on the board in 1. Would end up going DL or CB instead.

ATL picks 15th. If they were to trade with us for picks, then you'd have a lot of choices to consider if picking at 15...

Tetairoa McMillan WR
Colston Loveland TE
Ashton Jeanty RB
Josh Simmons OT

Man, that would be incredible!:thumb:

Jeanty is my dream get, but I don’t even entertain it.

If somehow it happened, watch out AFC West bc we’re dialed in for the next 5 years.

This place would shit a brick if we traded up to 15 for a RB, and so would I honestly.

Nothing would stir the pot more, but he’s the best player in the draft.

There's definitely a pretty strong argument for it. And if Reid and Veach said we want to pair this elite RB prospect with the best QB in the league it would be hard to argue.

What do you guys think, now that we’ve traded Thuney do we need 2 offensive linemen in this draft?

Don't forget that McKade Mettauer was on IR all year. He looked like a better prospect to me than Hanson. I have a feeling KC IR-Redshirted him (of course maybe he did fully tear his MCL but... we know this shit happens).

Thoughts on these guys as OL draft gems in the approx. 2nd-5th RD (PFF order)…

Grey Zabel
Ozzy Trapilo
Charles Grant
Anthony Belton
Logan Brown
Jack Nelson
Carson Venson
Trey Zuhn

Would LOVE Belton in the 4th. Dude is MASSIVE and has decent footwork. Could be a dominant LT in the league for many years with some good coaching.

Question is do we trust Heck enough to take on that project? He likely wouldn’t start this year. Next year we may have openings at BOTH tackle spots, so he’d need to be ready to go by 2026.

I see Heck get a lot of criticism for not developing the LT position, but why no credit for developing Trey Smith at RG or Creed Humphryr at OC?

Fun article interviewing Dante Scarnecchia about arm length and NFL tackles...

https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nfl/...ecchia/692760/

Good find! Thanks for sharing!

What do y’all think about trading up to around 20 for Simmons? I feel like he’s the best long term fit at LT.

Trade up scenario for Simmons…

https://www.si.com/nfl/chiefs/news/k...und-mock-draft