and I still maintain that though he was dealing with a high ankle sprain this season.

If you want to win with a game manager you have to invest in the other most important position on the team which is passrushers.

I don't often disagree with you, but I just don't see the "fair amount of growth" from Ford that you do.

He was marginally better as a run defender, and in coverage, and has shown little to no improvement as a pass rusher.

He showed a fantastic motor as well as the beginnings of both a spin move and a nice little up and under that he'd demonstrate at times.

Ford's always going to be a speed rusher. In the end, he's like a fastball pitcher - he just needs a couple of 'meh' secondary pitches because the heat makes gets the opponent reacting. Suddenly that C- curveball makes guys look silly (Royals fans, recall Mike MacDougal).

If Ford shows just a little more growth on those secondary moves, they'll play up because of how much respect opponents have to give his speed. And this year I saw flashes of those moves. And don't sleep on the motor either; a lot of guys have carved outstanding careers for themselves merely by refusing to give up on a play. Just as many guys have failed to ever realize their potential because they lacked that kind of tenacity.

The fact that he'll never be a 'complete' rusher means he's not going to be a 16 sack guy. But off nothing but his speed alone, he can be a double digit sack guy as early as next year. Moreover, that speed will also need to be dealt with by either passes to the RB or keeping the RB in altogether because his recovery speed will make merely chipping him ineffective.

Hey, that's my analogy.

http://walterfootball.com/ProspectMeetings/ByTeam

Vernon Butler, DT/NT, Louisiana Tech (SR)

added, thanks!

Very much looks so far like the Chiefs are intent on replacing Jaye Howard early on.

Penn State's Austin Johnson would be ideal. Fits the profile in terms of what Dorsey wants from his DL players. And he's a beast defending the run - something that Poe still lacks.

Vernon Butler

Interesting. Haven't seen anything on him but he does a nice job against a K-State offensive line that will see a guy or two get drafted. Seems pretty raw, but he's really active.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ltL6872vGzs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Chris Jones > Johnson/Butler

Most underrated DL in the draft.

https://youtu.be/vguCmKduWrY (Sorry don't know how to embed these)

Jones, huh?

Loaded DT draft. No way I see them signing Howard for big money with DeVito as an easy resign and a stacked draft class at the position.

It is absolutely LOADED.

Jones is a guy that is being overlooked because of his sack total this year (2.5), but he was among the best interior pass rushers in pressures according to PFF and it shows on tape.

6'6" 308 lbs. This is the type of guy that will make our entire front 7 even better. Good luck trying to block him 1 on 1.

Disagree that he's better than Johnson and Butler. I'm not as high as most on Butler either though, to be honest.

I think Jones needs a ton of work coming out of his stance, using his hands, etc. NFL lineman are going to plant that kid on his ass his rookie year. Given some time, I think he has the possibility to become a Malik Jackson type, which isn't a bad thing. Like Jackson though, I just don't see him going in the first couple of rounds. Round 3 I might bite hoping he improves and puts it all together, but that's the top end.

I disagree that he can't have a day 1 impact, but you don't draft DL for year one. All of those things are very coachable for a guy that big that can penetrate and be disruptive like he was this past year. I'll take a 6'6" 308 lb "Malik Jackson" type all day.