http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft...dds-new-target

Kipers Big board, 1 year ago Friday.

I asked someone this question earlier.

The answer I got was "trade down".

Yeah, they're still trying to get us to pay for something that's a year old. **** ESPN.

He's been on the "this league is all/only about the QB" bandwagon for some time now.

I don't like his show but he's spot on here.

I remember him getting into it with Scott after the draft saying that he'd trade the Chiefs entire draft for Andrew Luck. Scott laughed it off saying he wishes Kevin was the GM for the Broncos then.

Yeah who has egg on their face now?

1Andrew Luck *AGE: 22DOB: 9/12/89HT: 6-4WT: 235POS: QB
Comp 261Att 373Pct 70.0Yds 3,170TD 35Int 9
Luck was unable to show off all he can do given the talent around him in 2011, but he is the total package: arm strength, size, smarts, demeanor. He remains my pick to go No. 1 overall and could unseat Peyton Manning in Indy.

LAST WEEK: 1 | PLAYER CARD

2Matt Kalil *AGE: 22DOB: 7/6/89HT: 6-7WT: 295POS: OT
GP 12GS 12
Kalil was steady the entire season and has the full range of skills for the left tackle position, not to mention the pedigree. He could opt to return to USC, but I won't shift guys until final declarations are locked in.

LAST WEEK: 2 | PLAYER CARD

3Trent Richardson *AGE: 20DOB: 7/10/91HT: 5-11WT: 224POS: RB
Car 263Yds 1,583Avg. 6.0TD 20
The BCS title game should be his final one in college. Richardson's splitting carries in his first two seasons will benefit him. Powerful, fast, with improved vision, he runs with good pad level and breaks tackles with ease.

LAST WEEK: 3 | PLAYER CARD

4Justin Blackmon *AGE: 21DOB: 1/9/90HT: 6-1WT: 208POS: WR
Rec 113Yds 1,336Avg 11.8TD 15
Blackmon had a remarkable regular season, eclipsing his 111 catches of a year ago. A better prospect than recent OSU star Dez Bryant. Versatile and explosive and really works to get open. Great ball skills; breaks tackles.

LAST WEEK: 4 | PLAYER CARD

5Morris Claiborne *AGE: 21DOB: 2/7/90HT: 6-1WT: 185POS: CB
Tkl 46Sack 0Int 6
Doesn't get the attention, but he's a very good player. Big rise in 2011; now the top corner. Exceptional pure cover corner with impeccable instincts at the position. Has solid ball skills for the position. Not a burner; plenty quick.

LAST WEEK: 5 | PLAYER CARD


6Matt Barkley *AGE: 21DOB: 9/8/90HT: 6-2WT: 220POS: QB
Comp 308Att 446Pct 69.1Yds 3,528TD 39Int 7
Faces a tough decision. Closed the year remarkably well. Accurate and showing growth year-to-year. Throwing a better ball and throws it really well on the move. Good, not great, arm. Pro-style skills are valued, even as offenses change.

LAST WEEK: 6 | PLAYER CARD

7Jonathan Martin *AGE: 22DOB: 7/6/89HT: 6-6WT: 304POS: OT
GP 12GS 12
Martin can technically go back to school, as a fourth-year junior. Trusted in the passing game as the blindside protection for Luck, Martin does a great job in the run game, given his athleticism.

LAST WEEK: 7 | PLAYER CARD

8Quinton CoplesAGE: 21DOB: 6/22/90HT: 6-6WT: 285POS: DE
Tkl 51Sack 7.5Int 0
Production isn't amazing, but skill set is hard to look past. The size and talent are there, but he'll need to add to his arsenal with increased blocking attention. Great size and length to hold the edge as a 4-3 defensive end.

LAST WEEK: 8 | PLAYER CARD

9Riley Reiff *AGE: 23DOB: 12/1/88HT: 6-6WT: 300POS: OT
GP 12GS 12
Not as athletic as Kalil or Martin, but the tape is there -- it may be the best tape of any LT this year because he's so complete. Durable, he has played from day one at Iowa.

LAST WEEK: 9 | PLAYER CARD

10Luke Kuechly *AGE: 20DOB: 4/20/91HT: 6-3WT: 237POS: LB
Tkl 191Sack 0.0Int 3
Great instincts both against the run and even dropping his hips and falling into coverage. Dependable, a tackling machine, he makes great reads, sees the play develop and sheds blockers well. Solid status.

LAST WEEK: 10 | PLAYER CARD

11Robert Griffin III *AGE: 21DOB: 2/12/90HT: 6-1WT: 220POS: QB
Comp 267Att 369Pct 72.4Yds 3,998TD 36Int 6
Not buying any talk he'd be higher on some boards than Luck, but his elite athleticism and altered delivery has resulted in better accuracy on downfield throws. Great kid, underrated passer. No ill effects from 2009 knee injury. Remarkable numbers.

LAST WEEK: 11 | PLAYER CARD

12Alshon Jeffery *AGE: 21DOB: 2/14/90HT: 6-4WT: 233POS: WR
Rec 45Yds 614Avg 13.6TD 7
His production took a hit with South Carolina's turmoil at the QB position, but he had a good rep already. Imposing presence, a matchup nightmare. Phenomenal hands, decent burst, elite size. Speed is a bit of a question.

LAST WEEK: 12 | PLAYER CARD

13Landry Jones *AGE: 22DOB: 4/22/89HT: 6-4WT: 229POS: QB
Comp 339Att 537Pct 63.1Yds 4,302TD 28Int 14
I still like the way he's battled in 2011, but it's fair to say his reputation outpaced his performance this season. Accuracy is still very good. Good size, strong arm but needs to improve footwork. Still a very good prospect.

LAST WEEK: 14 | PLAYER CARD

14Brandon ThompsonAGE: 22DOB: 10/19/89HT: 6-2WT: 310POS: DT
Tkl 45Sack 2.5Int 0
Scheme-versatile, Thompson might not get the sacks but manages to be a really disruptive force along the interior. Balances plugging running lanes with decent skills as a penetrator. Consistent season.

LAST WEEK: 15 | PLAYER CARD

15Vontaze Burfict *AGE: 21DOB: 9/24/90HT: 6-3WT: 250POS: LB
Tkl 68Sack 5.0Int 1
Has little left to prove; he's started from day one. Great instincts, makes plays sideline to sideline and is far more disciplined than he gets credit for. Maybe too much tape at this point.

LAST WEEK: 16 | PLAYER CARD

16Devon StillAGE: 22DOB: 7/11/89HT: 6-5WT: 310POS: DT
Tkl 49Sack 4.5Int 0
A great penetrator, he has overcome health issues and has been extremely disruptive, breaking through double-teams to pile up TFLs. Maybe the MVP for that team this season. Could play a couple of spots at next level.

LAST WEEK: 17 | PLAYER CARD

17Cordy GlennAGE: 22DOB: 9/18/89HT: 6-5WT: 348POS: T/G
GP 13GS 13
Really experienced player whose best strength is versatility. Has spent time at tackle but can dominate at guard, and I'd expect whoever drafts him to ultimately have him blocking inside.

LAST WEEK: 18 | PLAYER CARD

18Courtney UpshawAGE: 21DOB: 12/13/89HT: 6-2WT: 265POS: LB
Tkl 45Sack 7.5Int 1
A riser so far this year, he is showing improved pass-rush skills and should convert to 3-4 OLB at the next level. Great leverage player who uses hands well and battles against the run. Fits the LaMarr Woodley comparison.

LAST WEEK: 19 | PLAYER CARD

19David DeCastroAGE: 21DOB: 1/1/90HT: 6-5WT: 310POS: OG
GP 12GS 12
Extremely consistent, and both athletic and powerful in the run game. The rare guard who could get some looks in the first round.

LAST WEEK: 20 | PLAYER CARD

20Alfonzo DennardAGE: 22DOB: 9/9/89HT: 5-10WT: 205POS: CB
Tkl 23Sack 0.0Int 0
Plays taller than his 5-foot-10 frame with incredible leaping ability. Handles bigger receivers far better than the height implies. Has strong frame and great ball skills and is a big-time competitor.

LAST WEEK: 21 | PLAYER CARD

21Zach BrownAGE: 22DOB: 10/23/89HT: 6-2WT: 230POS: LB
Tkl 91Sack 5.5Int 2
An absolute flier, Brown isn't big, but he can get after the quarterback and back up and cover like a safety. Has a versatile skill set and can go outside in a 3-4 or be a good weakside in a 4-3.

LAST WEEK: 22 | PLAYER CARD

22Jerel Worthy *AGE: 21DOB: 4/28/90HT: 6-3WT: 310POS: DT
Tkl 25Sack 3.5Int 0
Has played better after an inconsistent start but still can have up-and-down stretches. Disruptive DT in a class that's a little shallower, and that could benefit him. Has good size and is tough to move -- just needs consistency.

LAST WEEK: 23 | PLAYER CARD

23Janoris JenkinsAGE: 23DOB: 10/29/88HT: 5-10WT: 177POS: CB
Tkl 53Sack 0Int 2
Quick as a cat with fluid hips and very good instincts for the position. He's a man among boys now at the Division II level, but must be exceptional there and answer questions. Has been dynamic as a punt returner this season.

LAST WEEK: 24 | PLAYER CARD

24Michael Floyd *AGE: 22DOB: 11/27/89HT: 6-3WT: 224POS: WR
Rec 95Yds 1,106Avg 11.6TD 8
Multidimensional receiver is able to beat you short or deep using a big frame to beat smaller cornerbacks. Played at 227 pounds in 2010 but dropped a little weight this season and does appear a little quicker.

LAST WEEK: 25 | PLAYER CARD

25Dwayne Allen *AGE: 21DOB: 2/24/90HT: 6-4WT: 255POS: TE
Rec 48Yds 577Avg 12.0TD 8
Multidimensional tight end who is head and shoulders above the rest of his class. He's athletic but is also a very effective blocker. The NFL is craving for these types right now.

LAST WEEK: NR | PLAYER CARD

Judging by the posting history of some that hate Barkley should make you rethink your stance on him.

You say sophistry, I say reading the words you posted.

You and htis were emphatically saying 'pick one, just pick one. who cares which one, who cares if he busts, we need one.'

All I countered with was 'you need to do a little more due diligence, and carefully analyze if he's not going to bust is not a clearly inferior prospect to the rest of the available draft class.

After a bunch of bullshit, you guys finally come out with 'of course it was ASSUMED that he was an undeniable #1 prospect with low likelihood of busting.'

I want a QB as much as anyone, and have been as vocal about it as anyone here FOR YEARS. Doesn't mean I want the Chiefs to go QB blind and throw a dart at some QB only draft chart.

Whomever we pick, I'm considerably CONSIDERABLY less concerned if he is the next Luck than I am that he is the next Leaf, Carr, or Akili Smith.

This is what I'm arguing.


If he is the next Leaf, Carr, Smith etc, what does that hurt or set us back?


The risk associated with taking a QB, is absolutely worth the reward, especially in todays NFL.

If the QB whom we draft sucks, what's changed? We'll have shitty QB play? And?

New CBA makes it possible to turn and burn at the position. We'll be drafting high again the following year...and we'll be in position to draft another QB. Fine.

We need a GM with the self-confidence and foresight to make these kinds of decisions, unlike the dickless bastard who has been leading the charge in KC since '09.

And the rest of the quality players on the team burn off another year.
And they see that the FO doesn't know shit about player evaluation.
And more FAs break free, more resolved to find a team w/o its head up its ass.
QB busts put pervasive and persistent stenches on teams.
We are in that position now through the most bassackwards manner in NFL history, giving up the bank for a bust no one even wanted.

I WANT A QB!!! That people are trying to paint to the contrary means only that they haven't paid much attention around here for the past few years.
I don't want 'any QB fever' to strike the Chiefs FO. I want due diligence throughout the draft, and in the assembly of scouts and position coaches.

Name a draft, any draft, where there wasn't at least 1 QB worth a top 3 pick.

Your entire hypothetical was based on there not being a QB in any given draft that wasn't worth the Chiefs' pick. The Chiefs will be picking no lower than 3rd.

Your hypothetical would require that there were ZERO QBs in a draft worth a top 3 pick and that's NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE.

Time doesn't stop, no matter what we do at the QB position.

In fact, if we take a QB and that QB is good, those players' time isn't wasted. However, if we don't take a QB, those 2 things WILL occur because we're either staying with what we have or bringing in someone's retread, which we already know is going to fail. We've done it, over and over and over and over and over. It doesn't work.

That's the risk with any player at any position. And let's be honest here, with this team's record with first round draft picks, what difference would it really make if it is the next Leaf, Carr or Akili Smith. I mean, if we're going to focus on the negative possibility, is that really markedly worse than drafting the next Tyson Jackson or Glenn Dorsey or Larry Johnson or Ryan Sims or Sylvester Morris or John Tait or Victor Riley or Trezelle Jenkins. Is the risk of taking a shot and failing at QB somehow worse than the risk of drafting a "guy" at another position, much less drafting a complete bust. We've got 20 years of first round busts and "just a guy" picks balanced against the one big hit in Tony Gonzalez and the little bubble of hits with DJ, Hali and Bowe. Are there any other players that this team has taken in the first round in the last 20 years that would really hurt us to lose? That's what the "safe" approach has gotten us. What difference would it really have made if they'd taken a Ryan Leaf hit at QB instead of Victor Riley? Or an Akili Smith hit at QB instead of John Tait? Or David Carr instead of Ryan Sims?

All of this completely disregarding the real possibility that we draft someone who isn't a bust at QB.

And there's no better time in the history of the league to it than now, thanks to the CBA and rookie slotting.

Dude, the Chiefs will pick NO LOWER THAN THIRD. That's not an assumption, that's an implied FACT.

There are at least 3 top QBs in this draft that many people feel are worth a top pick. That is an assumption but one that pretty much everybody got except you. We've only been talking about Wilson, Smith, and Barkley hourly for about 10 weeks now.

Don't act like the "assumption" you mention was absurd because it absolutely wasn't.