Chiefs scouts gush about value, versatility found in Kansas City's Day 3 draft picks

Former Indianapolis Colts GM Bill Polian used to say that the first three rounds of the draft were easy, but the picks occurring on Day 3 of the NFL draft make Super Bowl champions. The Kansas City Chiefs seem to abide by that philosophy and have evidence of it in their past two seasons. Players like Joshua Williams, Jaylen Watson, Isiah Pacheco in 2022, and Chamarri Conner in 2023, proved vital to the team's back-to-back title runs. 

One of the best parts of Day 3 of the draft is that the Chiefs allow their area and regional scouts to discuss the prospects with media members. They're the people who do the legwork for Brett Veach on these prospects and they know them best. What did they have to say about the players they selected on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL draft?

Value and versatility were the two tenants that came up often.

What stands out about new Chiefs TE Jared Wiley?

Asked what impresses him the most about new TE Jared Wiley, Chiefs southwest regional scout Jason Lamb immediately pointed to his stature.

“Man, he’s a big player," Lamb said. "He’s a big frame and for being a big guy, he’s pretty athletic, too. He tests really well. He ran fast. He’s kind of got that sneaky speed because he’s a bigger guy. I mean blocking-wise too, you know, this day and age not as many tight ends are that tough, hardnosed blocker, but he has that ability but he also has that ability as a receiver, like I said, to be a pretty athletic guy too.” 

At 6-foot-6 and over 250 pounds, things like blocking and catch radius are expected. What sets Wiley apart from other prospects of his size are his speed, route-running, and his hands. He also has YAC ability reminiscent of another tight end in Kansas City.

"I mean speed and the route running," Lamb continued. "He’s got hands, too. He’ll go up and make some good snags. He is, weight-wise, he’s a little bit thinner, but he’s not a small guy by any means. He’s got good length. He’s got good catch radius. He’ll go up and make good snags and then even for being maybe a thinner guy, he runs tough. I mean, he’s not afraid to lower his shoulder and fight for extra yards, so that kind of stands out as well.” 

Chiefs stole S Jaden Hicks in Round 4

If anyone knows what a steal at the safety position is like, it's Chiefs west regional scout Greg Castillo. After all, he played the position himself at the University of Iowa and even briefly played for Kansas City as an undrafted free agent once upon a time. 

 When Castillo saw Jaden Hicks available at pick No. 133, he found himself feeling a range of emotions.

 “I was surprised, and I’m happy he did because he fell to us and I think with (Defensive Coordinator Steve) Spags and (Safeties Coach) Donald (D’Alesio), they’re going to utilize his skillset very well," Castillo explained. "He’s very versatile. He can play at the linebacker depth. He can play the deep middle, free safety. He can play the half. He can play quarters, and he did that at Washington State, too." 

The Chiefs place a premium on versatility and Hicks could prove a vital piece to keeping Steve Spagnuolo's defense as dynamic and dominant as it was a year ago.

"He can do a lot, and he can do a lot effectively, and that’s what we’re looking for," Castillo concluded.

Chiefs OL Hunter Nourzad's intelligence is off the charts

Chiefs northeast area scout Cassidy Kaminski had the quip of the day regarding OL Hunter Nourzad, who also earned a reputation as a talented academic in the field of engineering. 

“I was actually just telling (Vice President of Football Communications) Brad (Gee) about that walking in," Kaminski said. "This guy was so intelligent off the field that the engineering department was recruiting him almost as heavily as the football department was because he’s that intelligent.” 

Internally, Nourzad is viewed as a replacement for Nick Allegretti. However, it's hard not to see a similarity to a player like Joe Thuney. His intelligence and his positional flexibility set him apart.

“He actually started at tackle at Cornell," Kaminski said. "(He) made the transfer to Penn State, played and started at guard for them, and then this past year made the transfer to Center and started games there all year and had a phenomenal year. You just think about versatility. He’s played four years of college football, and he’s played three positions.”