The Long, Slow, Arduous Bataan Death March To Drafting OL On May 8th

[Direckshun]

I keep looking at the talent right now, have been for about three months.

And I honestly think the talent is at its best at OL towards the end of the 1st round.

Andy Reid needs to replace Albert, and there's no guarantee he has faith in Fisher. And Asamoah has almost certainly left, so we'll be in the hunt for a guard as well.

This is a team looking to get away from Pioli's smaller, nimble OL, and towards Reid's larger, more powerful OL.

Maybe we bring back Schwartz at guard. Maybe not.

God. This franchise has conditioned me to prepare for the worst.

***UPDATE***

OL the Chiefs could potentially, inevitably draft at 23, depending on where things are in 5 months:

OT Greg Robinson, Auburn
OT Taylor Lewan, Michigan
OT Cameron Erving, Florida State
OT Antonio Richardson, Tennessee
OT/G La'el Collins, LSU [not coming out this year]
OT/G Zack Martin, Notre Dame
OT Cyrus Kouandjio, Alabama
OG Gabe Jackson, Mississippi State
OG Cyril Richardson, Baylor
OG David Yankey, Stanford
OG Xavier Su'a-Filo, UCLA

I will run mini-scouting reports on these guys over the next five months in this sad, miserable thread, plus any guys who also drift onto the radar.

If there are any others you'd add, feel free to.

[OldSchool]

Zach Martin may be there for us at 23. If we can't trade back, I'm betting that Dorsey will take him with the question marks on our OL. However, there's a long time between now and the draft. Things will change once FA rolls around, then we'll hopefully have a better idea of where we stand.

[Direckshun]

Zack Martin will very likely be there for us. As will Su'a-Filo.

But Dorsey likes versatility. I've no doubt that Zack Martin is on our radar.

[OldSchool]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

Zack Martin will very likely be there for us. As will Su'a-Filo.

But Dorsey likes versatility. I've no doubt that Zack Martin is on our radar.

Yup, potential solid starting OT and Pro-Bowl level OG. Reid must be salivating at the thought of getting himself an Evan Mathis clone.

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by OldSchool

Yup, potential solid starting OT and Pro-Bowl level OG. Reid must be salivating at the thought of getting himself an Evan Mathis clone.

I will smack you with my penis if you suggest such a thing again.

THE CHIEFS ARE GOING TO DRAFT A SKILL POSITION PLAYER.

[OldSchool]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

I will smack you with my penis if you suggest such a thing again.

THE CHIEFS ARE GOING TO DRAFT A SKILL POSITION PLAYER.

Yeah, but if we can improve pass protection even by an average of .5-1 second longer, how much would you bet that Alex Smith will play more consistently at a high level for us? He put up 44 points with the weapons that we already have (excluding Charles). Give him a bit more time in the pocket and we might be seeing those playoff level performances of him on a more consistent basis regardless of who we have outside. We can realistically wait until the 3rd-4th round and take a dependable slot WR (or just sign a solid FA WR) and our offensive production will likely improve by a significant margin.

Dorsey and Reid both believe that everything starts in the trenches. We are potentially going to lose 3 starting OL men to FA, will only be able to re-sign 1 of them. We have very little insurance behind that even though our current backups flashed in the Chargers game (but the Chargers are hardly known for having a stellar pass rush).

Let's just say I would not be surprised in the least if we're sitting at 23 and no one calls but Zach Martin is still there. Welcome Zach Martin, better have been worth it.

[saphojunkie]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

I will smack you with my penis if you suggest such a thing again.

THE CHIEFS ARE GOING TO DRAFT A SKILL POSITION PLAYER.

I can't take it... I literally won't be able to take it...

IT WILL BREAK ME.

[Friendo]

Originally Posted by OldSchool

Yeah, but if we can improve pass protection even by an average of .5-1 second longer, how much would you bet that Alex Smith will play more consistently at a high level for us? He put up 44 points with the weapons that we already have (excluding Charles). Give him a bit more time in the pocket and we might be seeing those playoff level performances of him on a more consistent basis regardless of who we have outside. We can realistically wait until the 3rd-4th round and take a dependable slot WR (or just sign a solid FA WR) and our offensive production will likely improve by a significant margin.

Dorsey and Reid both believe that everything starts in the trenches. We are potentially going to lose 3 starting OL men to FA, will only be able to re-sign 1 of them. We have very little insurance behind that even though our current backups flashed in the Chargers game (but the Chargers are hardly known for having a stellar pass rush).

Let's just say I would not be surprised in the least if we're sitting at 23 and no one calls but Zach Martin is still there. Welcome Zach Martin, better have been worth it.

as do I, but really conflicted on this...a team on the cusp of a breakthrough, or still in rebuilding mode? it will be a lineman in the first...

[OldSchool]

Originally Posted by Friendo

as do I, but really conflicted on this...a team on the cusp of a breakthrough, or still in rebuilding mode? it will be a lineman in the first...

Well, what would help us more?

Increase of time in the pocket by and average of .5-1 more second?

Or another WR target who might add 200-500 more yards over last year and 4-5 more passing TDs as an individual? (taking McCluster's contributions into consideration).

[Sfeihc]

Worst things can happen than taking Martin @ 23. The WR depth is crazy deep and they can find a player or two later. If Albert and Schwartz both walk Martin becomes almost a no-brainer. After the 2014 season isn't Hudson a FA and then Allen and Stephenson the following year?

[OldSchool]

Originally Posted by Sfeihc

Worst things can happen than taking Martin @ 23. The WR depth is crazy deep and they can find a player or two later. If Albert and Schwartz both walk Martin becomes almost a no-brainer. After the 2014 season isn't Hudson a FA and then Allen and Stephenson the following year?

Yup. No one wants to admit it because we took Fisher 1st overall last year, but we actually do need OL players. Looking at only Kush and Fisher signed for 2016 right? Well, also have to consider the fact that we will have more room for free agents by then. But you want consistency in your OL, not an ever cycling group that never gets a chance to really gel. It's pretty much imperative that we keep at least 4 of our 5 current starters together if we ever want a dominant OL which would lead to a dominant offense.

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by OldSchool

Yup, potential solid starting OT and Pro-Bowl level OG. Reid must be salivating at the thought of getting himself an Evan Mathis clone.

RT: Stephenson
RG: Schwartz
C: Kush
LG: Hudson
LT: Fisher

You don't draft a guy in the first round, at the offensive line position, who is going to be a backup.

They will be drafting a skill position guy.

If Odell Beckham is there, he'll be a lock for the pick.

[OldSchool]

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

RT: Stephenson
RG: Schwartz
C: Kush
LG: Hudson
LT: Fisher

You don't draft a guy in the first round, at the offensive line position, who is going to be a backup.

They will be drafting a skill position guy.

If Odell Beckham is there, he'll be a lock for the pick.

I wouldn't do it, not in this draft, but Reid and Dorsey might be too tempted to resist the draw of taking potential pro-bowl caliber player along the OL when we currently have 3 FAs who were starters at one point or another. Still a long time until the draft.

[RippedmyFlesh]

Originally Posted by OldSchool

Well, what would help us more?

Increase of time in the pocket by and average of .5-1 more second?

Or another WR target who might add 200-500 more yards over last year and 4-5 more passing TDs as an individual? (taking McCluster's contributions into consideration).

I'll take the wr. Alex is pretty mobile so I trust him behind an average line.
A wr who can get separation may negate the need for more time in the pocket waiting for someone to get open.

[OldSchool]

Originally Posted by RippedmyFlesh

I'll take the wr. Alex is pretty mobile so I trust him behind an average line.
A wr who can get separation may negate the need for more time in the pocket waiting for someone to get open.

Well, the thing is that, even if Alex Smith is mobile and can make plays with his legs, there is no denying the fact that his play and the increase of our offensive production coincided with the improvement in OL play. When he was actually getting time in the pocket, Smith was more willing to take shots on deep passes and Reid was more willing to call those longer plays because there was more trust in the OL's ability to hold up for over 2.5 seconds.

[bshmerlie]

We need to to find a way to keep Albert. And then trade down in the first to pick up a 2nd.