Kansas City Chiefs find stability in wide receiver Cornell Powell

With the Kansas City Chiefs moving on from Sammy Watkins this offseason, the team needed to find depth at the wide receiver position at some point in the 2021 NFL Draft. They did not jump on the position early but the Chiefs were able to sit back and find wide receiver value late in the fifth round. With the 37th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs nailed their pick with the selection of Cornell Powell.

Sitting behind high-profile players at the wide receiver position, Powell was not able to see the field much early in his Clemson career. That being said, he stepped up in a larger role in 2020 and shined for the dominant college squad. In 12 games last season, Powell hauled in 53 receptions for 882 yards and seven touchdowns. Powell was the most stable and consistent target on the Clemson offense and will bring that stability to his NFL team as well.

Powell is a quick and smooth route runner who separates from man coverage well. He is also a tough wide receiver who can make plays in contested-catch situations and is not afraid to make plays over the middle of the field. Powell showed the ability to play outside and out of the slot in college and has the mental capacity to handle multiple roles at the next level as well.

The Kansas City Chiefs are loaded with pass catchers at the top of the roster, with Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce leading the way. However, the Chiefs undoubtedly lack impact depth at the wide receiver position and Cornell Powell is ready to come in and make an immediate impact.

Cornell Powell is unlikely to ever be a Pro Bowl player, but he has a great chance to develop into a strong No. 3 wide receiver for the Chiefs. Finding value at a position of need late in the fifth round. It doesn’t get any better than that.