2021 NFL Draft: Late-round prospects Kansas City Chiefs should target

2021 NFL Draft projection: Fourth round

The Chiefs will need to focus on the trenches in the first two rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft, that much is a given. But with five picks on Day Three this year, they will have plenty of opportunities to build some depth on the roster during the later rounds. Considering the main engine of the Chiefs offense is the passing attack, it would behoove Chiefs general manager Brett Veach to invest in a developmental receiver on Day Three this year.

Michigan receiver Nico Collins is an intriguing option for the Chiefs that will (in all probability) still be available on Day Three. And while he opted out during the 2020 season (due to COVID-19 concerns), he still showed enough in 2019 to warrant a closer look. Collins also made an appearance at this year’s Senior Bowl, impressing NFL scouts with his raw potential at the next level.

At 6-foot-4, 215-pounds, Collins is the type of big-body receiver that can bully defenders on the run, while still keeping his hands clean enough to avoid penalties. A big-body contested-catch receiver who attacks the ball in the air and excels at the 50/50 ball. Collins suffered injuries during his three seasons at Michigan, which means fans never got to see his full potential during the regular season. Those injuries also help to explain why draft scouts have been so bearish on Collins: In a draft class with a surplus of quality receivers, it makes sense to prioritize more proven receivers.

But after an injury-free offseason, Collins was able to put up a stellar performance at last Januarys Senior Bowl. Below is a tweet from Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis, remarking on his former pupil’s performance during the 40-yard dash.

His highlights from the Senior Bowl receiver drills showcased what the former four-star recruit could do and how much he has improved during the offseason. Collins looked faster, ran cleaner routes and was able to build the type of separation NFL coaches like to see. He was able to successfully use his size and 9 3/8th inch hands to pluck back-shoulder passes in tight coverage. Against man-coverage, he outmaneuvered quality cornerback prospects and looked to have cleaned up his route running, delivering speed he rarely showed during his time at Michigan.

So why is Collins falling so late in the 2021 NFL Draft? Simple: Saturation at the receiver position in the 2021 NFL Draft combined with concerns about his college résumé. Despite pushing around defensive backs in the Big Ten, scouts can’t project that kind of success against NFL cornerbacks who are far bigger and less likely to get bullied. His injury history is also a big red flag: The best ability is availability, after all. And while the injuries aren’t a deal-breaker by any stretch of the imagination, they are a concern when trying to build a 53-man roster.

Pro Comparison: Alshon Jeffery (the good and the bad aspects)

A positive Combine showing this year would have done wonders for Collins and his draft stock. If the Combine hadn’t been canceled this year, Collins could have proven that the Senior Bowl improvements weren’t a flash in the pan and shown NFL trainers that his college injuries won’t be a concern going forward. Fortunately for Collins, Michigan Pro Day last March illustrated that he has the potential to be a big-time vertical threat in the NFL: A receiving target who could be used on deep passing downs while developing his route-running prowess as time goes on. His drill times were impressive, considering he didn’t look particularly fast while playing at Michigan.

Drafting Collins on Day Three could prove to be a big boon for the Chiefs, who will need to find backup pass catchers in the 2021 NFL Draft. A developmental receiver of Collins’s variety might pay big dividends for Kansas City if he continues to develop once in the pros.

Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs’ 2021 touchdown leader, is an unrestricted free agent after 2022. Hill will also be turning 30-years-old when his contract expires and liable to be looking for a big payday. Tight end Travis Kelce, the Chiefs’ 2021 receiving yards leader, turns 32-years-old in October. Besides Hill and Kelce, the next-best receiving option is Mecole Hardman, who hasn’t broken 600 yards receiving in either of his first two seasons in the NFL, according to Pro Football Reference.

The point is the Chiefs should always be looking for quality receiving talents at a discount, considering how dependent the offense is on the passing games. Big-name free agent receivers don’t come cheap and it is never clear how effective they end up being once divorced from the system they previously saw success in.

The Chiefs should be trying to build their offensive roster through the draft, as relying on free-agent receivers has historically proven to be a costly, futile venture. The Chiefs’ front office should take advantage of a receiver-rich draft class and snag a guy who would have objectively been a Day Two selection in any other year.