s a rush SAM or a MIKE linebacker."WhiteSeries Stagner ThingsLottery Tickets ’19Summer of SpagsMailbagFanposts Fanshots Community Community GuidelinesContactAbout StubHub ✕25 Days of Draftmas: Jahlani Tavai could offer linebacker depth at multiple positionsNew Chris Jones Jersey ,6commentsThe Chiefs could add a player late that could fit as a rush SAM or a MIKE linebacker.CDTShareTweetShareShare25 Days of Draftmas: Jahlani Tavai could offer linebacker depth at multiple positionsStephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY SportsA very Merry Draftmas to you! It’s 25 Days of Draftmas on Arrowhead Pride, where we’ll be giving you a Kansas City Chiefs draft prospect every day in April leading up to the NFL Draft. You’ll get a daily prospect profile like this one right up until Draft Day.Jahlani Tavai, linebackerThomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports6’2” | 250 lbs | HawaiiProjected draft range: day threeCombine: didn’t participate due to shoulder injuryI would take him: round fiveOne-sentence bio: two-time All-American in rugby, three-time All-Mountain West nomineeOne-sentence scouting report: versatile linebacker that can set the edge, drop into coverage and is an effective blitzerOne play:How he fits in KC: Tavai is an ideal depth candidate for Kansas City in 2019. His comfort level as a rush SAM, MIKE and WILL linebacker in a 4-3 Under system make him a perfect player to groom behind the Chiefs starters. He has good range and exceptional short-area quickness. This quickness allows him to trigger downhill and meet the ball carrier with full force in the gap. He’s long enough to set the EDGE in the run game and will give little ground against blocking tight ends. In man coverage, he shows plenty of ability to drop and carry players vertically, as well as being able to kick out into the flats against a running back. He regularly disrupts the quarterback with his blitzing ability Tanoh Kpassagnon Jersey , making him a good fit with Spagnuolo’s higher blitz tendencies.Tavai is coming off of a serious shoulder injury and teams will have to monitor it to make sure that he’s healthy enough to contribute in 2019. While he’s good in man coverage, he struggles a little bit with his spot drops in zone. He tends to squeeze other zones and drops to an “exact” spot, rather than reading and flowing with the play. He will need work with deconstructing blocks between the tackles, as offensive linemen tend to stick on him and take him out of the play. He’ll also need to work on squaring up and anchoring when making the tackle — too often the ball carrier was able to gain extra yards going through Tavai.There are a lot of question marks about the Chiefs linebacking corps, and even more, going forward in 2020. Tavai is a talented player that could definitely up the quality of the group and offer a starting spot at the SAM linebacker position in the future. He would likely be a special teams player in 2019, but his upside and potential contribution are precisely what the Chiefs should be looking for in a day three pick.Want to read more player profiles from Arrowhead Pride’s 25 Days of Draftmas? Click here for the complete list. And to stay informed on the players in which the Chiefs have shown interest, be sure to check out AP’s Chiefs draft prospect visit and workout tracker.KC Draft GuideThe first-ever edition of the KC Draft Guide is live! You can purchase it for only $9.99! We have over 225 prospect write-ups like this one Armani Watts Jersey , with specifics about how prospects fit the Chiefs. There are more than 300 grades on players, mock drafts, positional rankings and features — all specific to the Chiefs. Grab your copy by clicking here!Loading... The Chiefs’ new safety and defensive leader joined SB Nation Radio to discuss the latest in Kansas City football this offseason."“I think the last three years, the Chiefs have pretty much won the AFC West,” Mathieu said. “I think a lot of receivers feel that way. I think we should really get these guys a reality show, let them just talk about their feelings and emotions, they’re pretty much all over the place. He’ll have his chance to go against us and to play against us and quite honestly, we won’t forget things the he’s done Dorian O’Daniel Jersey , so it’s kind of easy for receivers to talk a lot of smack. They get 160 targets a year, so it’s easy to catch 90 balls. He’s a pretty good player, he does well for his offense, but yeah. I’ll just leave it at that.”Gold also asked Mathieu about what he has seen thus far in Chiefs quarterback and reigning league MVP Patrick Mahomes. “He kind of reminds me of Brett Favre or Aaron Rodgers,” Mathieu said. “He’s a guy that can make any throw. He definitely takes his chances and he can throw the ball sidearm...left-handed, right-handed, overhanded. The guy’s just special. I think he’s one of those unique talents—they don’t come by too often. He’s a great teammate as well—very easygoing, always smiling Derrick Nnadi Jersey , he’s always the first one at work. I think he has a great effect, not only on the offense but really the entire team and especially the organization, so kudos to him, man. “One of the youngest MVPs ever, and he still carries himself the right way. Definitely not a guy that is egotistical, so like I said, he’s very friendly, easy to approach. And I think any time a quarterback is like that Breeland Speaks Jersey , I think everybody in the locker room wants to play for that guy.”Of course, Gold wondered if Mathieu had the opportunity to try any Kansas City barbecue yet.“That’s like one of the first things I’ve done since I’ve been in Kansas City, almost 14 days now. I’ve basically hit every barbecue spot. “I have my favorite, but I won’t share that.”Listen to Gold’s full interview of Mathieu by clicking here.