Walterfootball Draft Grades
 

http://walterfootball.com/offseason2009kc.php

Chiefs

Changing the defense to a 3-4 when the team had predominantly 4-3 personnel was strike one. Investing a lot of money and faith into a shotgun system quarterback was strike two. The 2009 NFL Draft was strike three.

My draft grades aren't so much about the players. Instead, they're more about the positions each team addressed; whether a team gave up too much in a trade; or whether each franchise followed the blueprint it needed to follow.

So, with that in mind, I was a bit baffled by Scott Pioli's draft choices. Taking Tyson Jackson, a projected lesser talent, over Aaron Curry, the consensus top defensive player in the class, could haunt the Chiefs for years to come. Neither Jackson nor Curry offered much in positional value, so the latter was a no-brainer. Jackson was projected to go 9-12 until rumors surfaced that Kansas City was interested in him. Curry, meanwhile, reportedly was the fallback option to go No. 1.

Getting off the Jackson issue, the Chiefs surrendered 37 sacks last year and garnered only 10 of their own. Pioli did absolutely nothing to help either category. No rush linebackers. No nose tackle. No offensive linemen until pick No. 139. Instead, Pioli decided to draft a third 3-4 end and a nickel corner before touching the offensive line. It's beginning to sound like Pioli's plan for Kansas City doesn't involve protecting Matt Cassel or getting to the other quarterback.

Grade give on 4/27/09: D



2009 NFL Draft Picks:

3. Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU
Neither 3-4 end or linebacker offer much in terms of positional value. So, the Chiefs had to take the best defensive player on the board. Instead of Aaron Curry, the consensus No. 1 defensive player, they drafted Tyson Jackson, a much lesser prospect in terms of overall talent. This is yet another instance where Scott Pioli proves that he has absolutely no clue. Trading for a system quarterback with no arm strength should have been a sign that he'd mess up this pick. (Pick Grade: D)

67. Alex Magee, DE/DT, Purdue
I guess Scott Pioli plans on playing with as many 3-4 ends as possible. I'm all for acquiring defensive line depth, so I'm not giving the Chiefs a terrible grade, but they have so many other needs. Are the Chiefs going to eclipse 10 sacks in 2008? I'm not so sure. (Pick Grade: B)

102. Donald Washington, CB, Ohio State
The Chiefs have so many big needs. Corner isn't one of them. Donald Washington is solid value, so that saves this from being an F. You can never have enough cornerbacking depth, but Kansas City doesn't appear interested in addressing some of its needs. (Pick Grade: C)

139. Colin Brown, OT, Missouri
Scott Pioli lives up to his reputation of taking inferior talents over superior prospects. This was a pretty big reach, but at least it addresses a need. (Pick Grade: D)

175. Quinten Lawrence, WR, McNeese State
The Chiefs needed a guy to play across from Dwayne Bowe. Scott Pioli, of course, doesn't take the best player off the board. (Pick Grade: C)

212. Javarris Williams, RB, Tennessee State
I actually think this is great value for the Chiefs. Javarris Williams was arguably a mid-round prospect. If Larry Johnson leaves in the next year or two, Williams will be a nice complement to Jamaal Charles. (Pick Grade: A)

237. Jake O'Connell, TE, Miami of Ohio
A tight end to help replace Tony Gonzalez. I'll go out on a limb and say Jake O'Connell doesn't do that. No value here. (Pick Grade: C)

256. Ryan Succop, K, South Carolina
Scott Pioli sticks to his guns - taking less talented players at the position (or side of the ball). Graham Gano? Maybe Pioli knows something I don't. (Pick Grade: C)

ROFL

Raiders
Raider fans can no longer send me serious e-mails, criticizing me that I make fun of Al Davis for reaching for the best 40 times available. Undead Al's performance at the 2009 NFL Draft was very amusing. I really don't know what was funnier - the actual picks, Mel Kiper's reaction to the selections or the fact that Tom Cable looked completely defeated in an interview with ESPN.

Grade give on 4/27/09: FAIL



2009 NFL Draft Picks:

7. Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland
No production. Inconsistent hands. And Michael Crabtree was on the board!!! Al Davis - FAIL. (Pick Grade: Z-)

47. Michael Mitchell, SS, Ohio
Al Davis is out of control. I don't care if Michael Mitchell becomes the best safety in NFL history. This is a horrible pick. Mitchell was a sixth-round prospect at best. This selection is so horrendous, forum user Mycarman invented a new grade appropriate for a pick like this: (Pick Grade: MILLEN)

71. Matt Shaughnessy, DE, Wisconsin
The Raiders needed a defensive end, but that doesn't mean you should draft a late-round prospect in Round 3. It's now apparent more than ever that Al Davis is living in his own delusional world. (Pick Grade: F)

124. Louis Murphy, WR, Florida
Finally - a player who isn't a reach. I actually love this pick from a value standpoint. Maybe Al Davis is finally turning things around... (Pick Grade: A)

126. Slade Norris, OLB, Oregon State
...OK, maybe not. This is yet another reach by Oakland. Al Davis really needs to bring someone in to run things. (Pick Grade: F)

199. Stryker Sulak, DE, Missouri
No surprise here. Stryker Sulak is a quick pass-rusher. Unlike Darrius Heyward-Bey and Michael Mitchell, this is not a reach. (Pick Grade: B)

202. Brandon Myers, TE, Iowa
Not a great 40 time, so you have to wonder if someone else made this pick. Still a reach though. (Pick Grade: C)

man he was harsh on us

I think that's better than all the teams that grade with the nice theme where the lowest grade you see is a C.

I don't think anyone in the division deserves above a B and it's San Diego.

Walterfootball is a shit site, like I give a **** what they say.

Well I guess that's one way to stick the ol fingers in the ears.

He was harsh, but he wasn't off. I'm a little more optimistic than most, so I would bump up a couple of his grades, but other than that, I can't really argue with his ratings.

LOL at the Raiders' grades, though.

I can't wait to come back and bump this up in a few years The Truth hurts........

Bob Dole is pretty sure the 2008 sack stats are final. So the answer would be "no".

LMAO

I can handle people not liking the draft, but it's another when they make it personal. This wasn't a criticism of the Chiefs' draft, it was some draft nerd trying to insist that he's a lot smarter than Scott Pioli, a guy who has earned a place as at least a respected (even if not always perfect) NFL Executive.

My sentiments exactly.

There wasn't much commentary on the actual picks and a lot of second guessing Pioli's decision-making.

It's almost like Pioli refused the guy an interview once.
Or slept with his wife...
:D

ROFL

wtf is walterfootball, a xanga site? :hmmm:

It is easy for these wipes to stand back and be critical when they themsleves do not have any skin in the game. None of them back it up with what they would have done. Besides, Chiefs aren't done yet. Protection for Cassel and another D player or two is on the way via FA.

We will grade Pioli and Haley through the season and through next year.
We haven't seen the product yet and likely won't for a couple of years.