Chiefs trade up for 3rd time, add to secondary with Virginia Tech safety

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After holding onto its first-round decide because the 2023 NFL Draft opened Thursday, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs moved up for the third straight time in making their first decide Saturday within the fourth spherical.

The Chiefs have been slated to select 134th within the first spherical, however swapped fourth-round picks with Minnesota and likewise gave up subsequent yr’s fifth-round decide to maneuver up 15 spots.

Kansas Metropolis then added depth within the secondary, choosing Virginia Tech security Chamarri Conner with the 119th general decide within the fourth spherical.

He performed 5 seasons with the Hokies, together with 4 because the beginning security. As a fifth-year senior, Conner shifted to nickel for a lot of the season, exhibiting versatility that Kansas Metropolis covets on protection.

“He was requested to do lots of issues, play lots of positions at Virginia Tech, so simply his versatility,” space scout Anthony McGee mentioned. “He’ll play any place that it’s essential within the again finish and he simply brings measurement, velocity, burst, every part, so I simply love the best way he performs and (he’s) a man that can need to do something and every part for the workforce.”

Conner mentioned he’s performed a number of positions since highschool.

“From nook to security to nickel, I’ve at all times been in a position to transfer round and that moved into my school profession as effectively simply having the ability to transfer round and be that man, if wanted someone to do any job, that’s one thing I’ve been doing for a minute,” Conner mentioned.

He mentioned he enjoys learning Arizona security Budda Baker.

“During the last couple years, he’s been one among my favourite gamers,” Conner mentioned. “The best way he flies round and make performs and is simply at all times across the ball, that basically at all times stood out to me. I at all times needed to be that sort of participant.”

Conner, a 6-foot and 205-pound prospect, ran a 4.51 40-yard sprint on the NFL Mix with a 1.56 10-yard cut up, and a 40 1/2-inch vertical.

“Versatility is gonna be an enormous factor in our protection, particularly somebody that may hop within the nickel, as a result of that is a frightening process for a defender,” McGee mentioned. “When you discover somebody that may fluidly and persistently play the nickel and be comfy at it, I feel Coach Spags loves a man like that. So, we simply search for that versatility and we attempt to cherish it and see if we might try to carry them in.”

Regardless of missing elite top-end velocity, he reveals good ball expertise and diagnoses performs effectively, which isn’t stunning given his intensive collegiate expertise — 61 video games, together with 48 begins.

Conner totaled 314 tackles, together with 21 for a loss with 7 1/2 sacks, at Virginia Tech. He additionally had 23 passes defended with 4 interceptions and 4 sacks in his profession.

McGee mentioned Kansas Metropolis additionally envisions a big special-teams position for Conner, who performed within the Reese’s Senior Bowl.

“I take a lot delight in particular groups,” Conner mentioned. “Particular groups was how I earned my identify at Virginia Tech.”

Kansas Metropolis additionally traded up twice on Friday, going up eight spots for SMU large receiver Rashee Rice within the second spherical and going up three spots for Oklahoma offensive deal with Wanya Morris within the third spherical.

At present, the Chiefs nonetheless have 4 picks Saturday — one within the fifth (No. 166), two within the sixth (Nos. 178 and 194) and one within the seventh (No. 250).

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