3 Guys who could/should be the Chiefs pick at #23

[Saccopoo]

If the 2013 Draft is any indication of John Dorsey's preferences in the process, I think that there might be a surprise or two in the 2014 draft for the Chiefs, especially in the first round.

Dorsey doesn't seem to really care about the draftnik's and their "big board" ratings, as evidence by the selections of Knile Davis in the third, Eric Kush in the sixth and Mike Catapano in the seventh.

The guy takes football players, particularly ones who have high level athletic potential (Fisher, Davis, Commings and Catapano all had excellent combine and/or pro day results).

So, with the initial base of what Dorsey likes in a prospect, here are my top guys for the Chiefs with the #23 pick:

1. Kyle Van Noy, LB; BYU
6'3 1/2", 243 lb.
Arms: 31 5/8"
Hands: 9 5/8"
40: 4.71
Vertical: 32.5:
Broad: 112"

- Exceptionally fluid and smooth. Has superb burst and acceleration on the field and will explode into the ball carrier or quarterback. Very instinctive with terrific flow and can easily find and exploit gaps as a play progresses. Plays sideline to sideline. Drops back into coverage extremely well and has very good feet and hips to turn and cover backs, tight ends and bigger receivers. The most complete linebacker in this draft and would be able to play inside and outside in any scheme as a four down player. (He lined up inside and outside for BYU as well as excelled on special teams as well for the Cougars, routinely blocking punts and kicks.) His tackling is absolutely textbook as he wraps up completely as well as going after the ball. A very solid citizen and the undisputed team leader for the Cougars. Very vocal and supportive.

For his career, he has 61.5 tackles for loss, 26 sacks, 11 forced fumbles, 7 interceptions and 21 passes defensed. The dude can flat out play all over the field.

Personally, I think that if he's available at #25, the Chargers take him, and I really don't want to play against this guy for the next decade.

Has a muscular, well-proportioned build. Quick get-off. Knifes gaps. Good pass-rush ability -- can push the pocket or pressure the edge. Keeps working to the quarterback and has deceptive closing speed. Eyes the quarterback and tries to get his hands in the passing lane. Athletic with good movement skills in all directions -- equipped to keep pace with backs and tight ends in coverage. Is rangy and can open up his stride and run vertical. Glides on the field. Scheme versatile. Football smart. - NFL.com

•A very fluid athlete, which is hardly surprising when you look at his history. However turning to run in coverage was about as fluid as I've seen from a linebacker. Flips the hips well, and has a good break on the football in coverage.
•Active hands. It's unusual to have two positives to start based on coverage, but he really does do a nice job of getting his hands in-between the football and the receiver.
•Good change of direction. Really plants that foot and explodes either in pass coverage or in run support.
•Excellent awareness. Really has a feel for the game and takes good angles and barely every takes the incorrect first step.
•Leader: Showed a lot of character to battle through some injuries in 2013, and was seen as the defensive leader on the field, very vocal and willing to do the dirty work.
•Shows a nice array of pass rushing moves, has enough speed to trouble the edge but also mixes in some moves to keep offensive lineman off balance.
•Works through traffic well and just seems to disengage at the exact moment he should to make the tackle. Which comes down to having a good feel for the game. - SBNation

Watch this shit and tell me you don't get goosebumps thinking about this guy in red lining up next to DJ:



2. Donte Moncrief, WR; Mississippi:
6'2 3/8", 221 lb.
Arms: 32 3/8"
Hands: 9 1/8"
40: 4.40
Vertical: 39.5"
Broad: 132"

A faster, more explosive version of Dwayne Bowe that runs better routes. Moncrief has every single tool that you want from a potential high level #1 NFL wide receiver - size, speed, route running, vertical, explosiveness. People (aka Draftniks) aren't giving Moncrief the attention he deserves, which is legitimate first round consideration. In fact, I don't think that there is a receiver in this draft that has the entire package that's possessed by Moncrief. He's got the speed and vertical of Odell Beckham, the ability to separate of Watkins, the size of Evans, the route running of Cooks...the dude is the complete package and his upside is absolutely enormous.

Terrific size. Smooth accelerator -- jets off the line, eliminates cushion and has speed to stretch the field vertically. Good balance and body control. Can stem his pattern and leverage defenders. Drives off cornerbacks and creates separation. Knows where the sticks are. Outstanding leaping ability to elevate and pluck throws out of the air. Flashes playmaking ability. Able to sidestep the first tackler and pick up chunk yards after the catch. Gives effort as a blocker to engage and seal. Has experience going head-to-head with NFL-caliber cornerbacks. Will be a 21-year-old rookie and has upside. - NFL.com

Moncrief's thick frame, deceptive speed and smooth route-running make him a nightmare for cornerbacks. He does not possess the explosive moves of Southern Cal's Marqise Lee or Clemson's Sammy Watkins but might be a better player than either of them. He is sudden in his breaks, showing the ability to generate separation even against tight man coverage, and accelerates quickly, often leaving defenders in his dust on double-moves. Moncrief tracks the ball well and generally shows excellent hands (one drop vs. Texas), as well as the body control to make the dazzling grab. Moncrief is also cognizant in the running game, showing awareness and toughness as a downfield blocker

Perhaps the only thing standing in Moncrief's way of becoming the first "skill-position" player from Mississippi to earn a first round draft selection since Eli Manning (No. 1 overall, 2004) is the question about his straight-line speed. - CBSsports.com

(Timed an official 4.40 in the 40 at the Combine. Question session officially and emphatically over at that point.)





3. Gabe Jackson, OL; Mississippi State
6'3 1/2", 336 lb.
Arms: 33 3/4"
Hands: 10"
40: Who gives a shit when you can move mountains?
Vertical: Does anyone care what Godzilla's vertical is? Oh, hells no, because when you are destroying worlds, it don't matter how high you can jump.
Broad: Yeah, he's broad. Broad as a ****ing duplex.

- Gabe Jackson is the best interior offensive line prospect in this draft. He was a four time SEC OL Player of the Week in 2013 as he just manhandled everyone who had the misfortune of lining up against him. Brutally strong with absolute tree trunks for legs, he's able to drive block even the biggest defensive linemen with ease. There were points in this season during games where guys would actually run away from him. Jackson plays really, really mean and looks to absolutely bury guys into the ground. Two time team captain. Has the potential for being a perennial All-Pro in Reid's power man blocking scheme. Jackson would rectify a lot in terms of the effectiveness of the Chiefs red zone offense.

I think he's a better version of the Detroit Lions' Larry Warford and the Broncos will seriously consider Jackson at #31 as they'll want someone capable of controlling guys like Dontari Poe.

Excellent size with long arms and a thick lower body. Fundamentally sound with advanced technique. Quick out of his stance. Good anchor. Strong, efficient punch (can pop and recoil). Keeps his hands inside and controls defenders. Mirrors in pass protection. Walls off running lanes. Understands positioning and angles. Athletic enough to short pull effectively -- nice balance and body control for a big man. Good eyes, awareness and reactions. Smart and tough. Durable four-year starter and two-time captain. Professional makeup. - NFL.com

Demonstrates not only the raw power expected of a man of his size but also surprisingly nimble feet and balance while in pass protection, to mirror quick rushers. Jackson plays with excellent knee bend and has long arms, which help him stay square and in control of his opponent in pass pro. He's a powerful drive blocker who uses his natural leverage advantage well, showing good leg drive to push defenders off the ball. Despite his girth, Jackson shows good lateral agility and balance to find fits at the second level. Defenders are seldom able to disengage once Jackson locks in. Is not satisfied with simply occupying space, and prides himself on pancaking and rag-doll'ing opponents. Does a nice job of absorbing the bull rush with his lower half, and rarely surrenders more than a step or two before resetting and anchoring. Comes off the snap quickly and gets up to speed quickly when asked to pull. - CBSsport.com

Highlights are silly with Jackson. Entire games are highlights for him:

[O.city]

I think Van Noy is kind of topped out. What you see is what you get (not that it's a bad thing). Shazier has a much higher upside

[Nightfyre]

The Chiefs need to take the highest value player they can find at 23, imo. I don't care if it's a QB you are grooming. A WR generally takes 2-3 years to develop. Any pass-rusher is going to be a back-up. None of the safeties are amazing nor are any of the ILB. We could conceivably get a starter at guard, but again, none of them are amazing. So I guess my point is take the player with the highest long-term value because I don't think there will be any rookies who will really make a splash for us in the first round and we can get the solid-starter types in the mid-rounds.

[O.city]

I don't necessarily agree with the "wr takes 2-3 years" argument.

[Nightfyre]

Originally Posted by O.city

I don't necessarily agree with the "wr takes 2-3 years" argument.

Which wide receivers have owned their rookie seasons? It's a short list.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

I must say that's an awfully impressive Highlight video of Van Noy. Looks like a probowler.

[Chief Roundup]

Originally Posted by O.city

I don't necessarily agree with the "wr takes 2-3 years" argument.

Care to expand upon this. It can be statistically proven that WRs do not produce at a high level for at least 2 years. There have definitely been a few WRs that have produced immediately but their production always goes up to higher levels.

[chiefscafan]

sorrry more I think bout it I take

in no order:


Marquis Lee
Ealy
Beckham JR

before those guys

unless someone big falls to us

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

Care to expand upon this. It can be statistically proven that WRs do not produce at a high level for at least 2 years. There have definitely been a few WRs that have produced immediately but their production always goes up to higher levels.

That can be applied to any position.

Depends in your definition of "produced". The potential wrs we are likely to take a 23 are skilled to the level that there's no reason they can't produce at the level Avery did at least.

Obviously you'd love to have the rookie from SD production from last year though.

I think a lot of it depends on fit, philosophy etc of the team bringing them in.

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by O.city

That can be applied to any position.

Depends in your definition of "produced". The potential wrs we are likely to take a 23 are skilled to the level that there's no reason they can't produce at the level Avery did at least.

Obviously you'd love to have the rookie from SD production from last year though.

I think a lot of it depends on fit, philosophy etc of the team bringing them in.

Absolutely.

A guy like Moncrief would easily have the on-field production value of Avery of last season from the first time he stepped on the field. You're also replacing McCluster's numbers with a guy who, quite frankly, is going to be a much better receiver from the get go.

The Chiefs invest in a guy like Beckham/Cooks/Lee/Moncrief, that guy is going to get quickly assimilated into the playbook versus "growing" behind competent senior WR's. Avery can't catch shit. McClusters numbers need to go somewhere. I like Hemingway, but he can't separate off the line of scrimmage - he's a #4/#5 WR/Special Teams guy.

This team desperately needs a legit #2 that has the potential to transition to the #1 guy in 2/3 years. I'm not sold on Cooks being that guy due to size limitations (height, weight, arm length, hands), but Moncrief or Beckham is easily that dude - especially Moncrief due to his incredible speed, size, vertical and solid route running even at this stage of his career.

[Nightfyre]

Moncrief would be a legit pick at 23, imo. He straight up dominates when he tries.

[O.city]

I love Beckham especially in Reid's offense.

Would be my pick I he's there

[Saccopoo]

Yeah, it's time to take this shit up a notch. There are going to be excellent receivers available in the third. Let's fix this pass/rush defense right ****ing now!...

[Saccopoo]

You really want Joe Mays as your new MLB?...

[Saccopoo]

Highlighting the positives and negatives of Van Noy...(ain't that much in the way of negatives):

[Sorter]

I do like the idea of having our own version of Jamie Collins.