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

2021 NFL Draft projection: Fifth-rounder

This pick may seem counter-intuitive: After all, this article has presumed the Chiefs would draft a left tackle early in the 2021 NFL Draft. Which in all probability is still reasonable to assume, but please just follow our logic here. The Chiefs have an incredibly well-rounded roster. After free agency, the roster looks to be one of the most impressive in the AFC for the fourth year in a row. But in the NFL nothing goes according to plans: It pays to have a contingency plan.

Want an example? Just look at the Philadelphia Eagles and their left tackle position. The front office was looking to replace an elite veteran in the 2019 NFL Draft. They used their first-rounder on Andre Dillard, a highly regarded left tackle prospect, hoping to have locked down another elite blindside protector for their franchise quarterback. Fast forward to 2020: Injuries and inconsistent play have made it impossible for the Eagles to depend on Dillard as a long-term option at left tackle. In two seasons, Dillard has only played every left tackle snap in just three games, seeing the field more than 50 percent of snaps in just four games, according to Pro-Football-Reference.

Meanwhile, seventh-rounder Jordan Mailata, who played rugby before getting drafted by the Eagles as a long-shot developmental player in the 2018 NFL Draft, played in 65 percent of left tackle snaps in 2020 and looks to be a promising addition for the Eagles as they enter their rebuild. The moral of the story: An NFL front office should always be looking for contingency plans, especially for one of the most essential positions in the game. Considering how the loss of both offensive tackles proved to be fatal for the Chiefs’ Super Bowl ambitions last February, it makes sense for the front office to keep this principle in mind.

In a tackle-rich 2021 NFL Draft, the Chiefs can hope to find some quality offensive tackle options on Day Three. Iowa left tackle Alaric Jackson could be an interesting option, as he has some of the biggest upsides of any left tackle that is projected to be a Day Three pick. A three-year starter for the Hawkeyes, Jackson showed enough potential to be the starting tackle for a program lionized as an offensive lineman factory.

Pro comparison: Jack Driscoll-esque

Coming in at 6-foot-5, 321-pounds during his Pro Day, Jackson’s number one strength heading into the draft is his experience. Starting as an offensive lineman for three seasons in the Big Ten is no small matter, ostensibly winning over a coaching staff known for turning out excellent NFL prospects. Iowa also runs a Pro-style offense, which specifically prepares offensive linemen for the rigors and rhythm of NFL offensive systems. All of this stuff matters to NFL decision-makers and it’s mildly surprising to see him projected as a Day Three prospect.

…So why is he is so low on most NFL draft boards? A lack of improvement year-to-year, combined with consistent hand placement issues that have been a problem since he joined the Hawkeyes. According to his NFL Scouting Profile, Lance Zierlein had this to say:

"“…there are still concerns with (the) consistency of play strength when attempting to protect his edges. Poor footwork caused awkward exchanges and consistent issues with contact balance throughout his tape at Iowa, but he appeared to have made some adjustments and improvements by the time practices rolled around at the Senior Bowl.”- Lance Zierlein, NFL.com"

Not exactly a ringing endorsement. Jackson clearly has some things he needs to work on in the NFL. That being said, it is still smart for the Chiefs to invest a late-round pick on Jackson, even if they draft an elite offensive tackle early in the 2021 NFL Draft. He has the experience and physical tools to succeed in the NFL. I

t is also possible that the scheme Jackson was in didn’t adequately play to his strengths. There have been rumblings for years that Iowa needs to change its offensive philosophy and that the Pro-style, run-heavy offense is antiquated and is inadequate to protect against advanced college defenses. That is ultimately up to Hawkeye head coach Kirk Ferentz to change but we shouldn’t hold a player responsible for offensive schemes that were out of his control.

Would Jackson have looked better in a different college offense? That is impossible to say. But what is possible to infer from Jackson is this: He has the experience and raw physical traits to succeed in the NFL. Jackson might not be ready to start Week 1 this season, but a year or two of development could bring out an NFL-level left tackle.

At the end of the day, it is dangerous for the Chiefs to roll into the season with a rookie left tackle anyway. Offensive line injuries could derail the season very quickly if Mahomes’s blindside lays improperly defended again. If you’re going to roll the dice on a late-round prospect to fill a pivotal roster spot, then an Iowa left tackle might be the best bang for your buck this spring.