A Mockery of a Draft
 

I like to do mocks, so I'll just put up countless mocks in this thread where it won't clog up the main forum and anybody who cares can comment.

(Bring back DraftPlanet.)

For right now, I'm assuming that the Falcons go a game into the playoffs. And I'm assuming we traded our 6th and 7th picks to the Dolphins, while acquiring an additional fifth for Thigpen.

1. S Eric Berry, Tennessee

You absolutely know that Pioli wants DL or a passrusher here, but the only guy that seems to justify it to me is McCoy if he comes out, but we dropped our 3rd overall on a 3-tech last year. No WRs justify this slotting just yet, so I'm going with the safe, smart pick.

2. DL Boo Robinson, Wake Forest

I'm in deep for this guy right now. Potential NT?

2. WR Brandon LaFell, LSU

I like receivers from big schools, as a rule. LSU especially.

3. OT Kyle Calloway, Iowa

Big body for the right side, making our interior line a priority.

4. DE/OLB Antonio Coleman, Auburn

Coleman's not a great sack artist, but the guy is constantly in the backfield of Auburn's opponents.

5. C Joel Nitchman, Michigan State

This year's crop of C's are more finesse than they are power. Nitchman is a notable exception.

5. RB Anthony Dixon, Mississippi State

We need a new power back who can churn his legs and take punishment. Dixon's pretty athletic for a 240 lber.

QB: Cassel, Croyle, Gutierrez
RB: Charles, Dixon, Savage, Battle
FB: Cox

WR: Bowe, Bradley, Wade, LaFell, Lawrence
TE: Pope, Ryan, O'Connell

LT: Albert, Ndukwe
LG: Waters, Smith
C: Nitchman, Niswanger
RG: Alleman, Niswanger
RT: Calloway, Ndukwe

DE: Dorsey, Magee
NT: Robinson, Edwards
DE: Jackson, Gilberry

OLB: Hali, Coleman
ILB: Mays, Williams
ILB: Johnson, Belcher
OLB: Vrabel, Studebaker

CB: Flowers, Carr, Washington, Leggett
S: Berry, Brown, Page, Morgan

K: Succop
P: Colquitt
LS: Gafford
KR/PR: Wade

FTR, I doubt we got a 5th for Thiggy.

I love Berry. The Robinson pick I like. I don't know if I like LaFell though. I don't know if he has the speed.

1. OT Russell Okung, Oklahome State

Experimenting with this. It's not a great call to pick him up unless Albert is really not coming together as an LT. Albert would be fine on the right side.

2. NT Boo Robinson, Wake Forest

I'm high on Robinson: he's big, strong, and can get into the backfield.

2. DE/OLB Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB, TCU

This team should take advantage of the draft being loaded with first-day passrushing talent.

3. C Matt Tennant, Boston College

Not only does he fit our system, he is probably the smartest center coming out this year.

4. OLB Dexter Davis, Arizona State

We need a guy whose job it is to simply pin back his ears every play and get in the backfield.

5. DE Alex Carrington, Arkansas State

Great penetrator, with great size. If his strength is there, we've got ourselves some serious depth at the DE position.

5. WR/KR Dexter McCluster, Ole Miss

A Dantrell Savage-sized player, McCluster has Jamaal Charles speed and can make himself a hell of a kick returner if he can hold onto the ball.

QB: Cassel, Croyle, Gutierrez
RB: Johnson, Charles, Williams, Savage
FB: Cox

WR: Bowe, Bradley, Wade, Lawrence, McCluster
TE: Ryan, Cottam, O'Connell

LT: Okung, Albert
LG: Waters, Smith
C: Tennant, Niswanger
RG: Brown, Niswanger
RT: Albert, Ndukwe

DE: Dorsey, Magee
NT: Robinson, Edwards
DE: Jackson, Carrington

OLB: Hughes, Hali
ILB: Johnson, Mays
ILB: Williams, Belcher
OLB: Vrabel, Davis

CB: Flowers, Carr, Washington, Leggett
S: Brown, Page, Morgan, McGraw

K: Succop
P: Colquitt
LS: Gafford
KR/PR: McCluster/Wade

QB: Cassel, Croyle, Thigpen
RB: Johnson, Charles, Williams
FB: Cox

WR: Bowe, Williams, Wade, Bradley, Lawrence
TE: Ryan, O'Connell, Cottam

LT: Albert, Ndukwe
LG: Waters, Harris
C: McNeil, Niswanger
RG: Brown, Niswanger
RT: Ziemba, O'Callaghan

DE: Dorsey, Magee
NT: Cody, Edwards
DE: Jackson, Sheppard

OLB: Hali, Walters
ILB: Johnson, Williams
ILB: Sharpton, Belcher
OLB: Vrabel, Studebaker

CB: Flowers, Carr, Washington, Robinson, Leggett
S: Brown, Page, Morgan, McGraw

K: Succop
P: Colquitt
LS: Gafford
KR/PR: Robinson/Wade

From Walter's last mock (here is what I would do):

1. Eric Berry, S Tennessee
2. Sergio Kindle, OLB Texas
2. Boo Robinson, DT Wake Forest
3. Micah Johnson, ILB Kentucky

1. Berry or Mays, I don't care at this point.
2a. Norwood.
2b. I don't know, but it's got to be an OL unless Kindle falls because of alcohol issues.

I'm going with the extra fifth for Thiggy, and giving up our 6th only for Alleman and Ndukwe.

1. Russ Okung, OT; OSU
- The offensive line isn't cutting it and while Berry would be great, he won't provide anything to protect the quarterback or help the RB's get holes (and if Pioli is as smart as he's purported to be, he'll take my sleeper safety listed below and get a player who is a combo Berry/Mays guy). Okung might have been the first tackle taken last year. He's prototype, with great feet, long arms and a nasty demeanor, and would allow Albert to slide to guard and provide a very nice left side of the line for the next decade.

2. Eric Norwood, DE/OLB; SC
- Chiefs will have their pick of about three or four highly regarded outside rush backers with this pick. Guys like Selvie, Hughes, Kindle have a chance to be here. But I think that Norwood is going to be the best of the bunch. Not as tall as some of the others, but he gets into the backfield in a hurry and might use his lack of height to be able to get under the pads and arms and around the tall left tackles. An Elvis Dummervil type of guy that should excel as the designated rush backer in a 3-4.

2. Kris O'Dowd, C; USC
- There's a lot of guys I'd like to take here, but if we can get the best pure center in this draft here, I'd take him. It's a position of need, no, desparation, and O'Dowd is a stud. That is, if he comes out early.

3. Dennis Pitta, TE; BYU
- A big, smart, precise route runner with hands like glue. Has a chance to be a Whitten/Clark type of TE.

4. Joe Pawelek, ILB, Baylor
- I don't know if he'll be here or not, but if he is, this is a no-brainer at a a place where the Chiefs have struggled to find a good player. Pawelek is amazingly instinctive and has a nose for the ball in both run and pass. Smart and played against high level competition in the Big 12. If you will, a poor man's Lauranaitis, but with maybe a bit more speed.

5. Myron Rolle, S; FSU
- Quit college football after graduating in 2.5 years and accepting a Rhodes scholarship to study medical anthropology. Is entering the 2010 draft upon completion of the scholarship. Was the #1 recruit in the country coming out of high school per ESPN. He's the full package at 6'2", 220 lb. An amazing athlete and, obviously, pretty darn smart. He has the potential to be a cross between Mays and Berry and could be the biggest steal in this draft.

5. Brandon James, RB/WR/PR/KR, Florida
- If he gets more action during the season at Florida and runs what he's capable of running at the combine, he most likely won't be here, but this would give the Chiefs that dedicate kick returner/speed guy that they haven't had since the heyday of Dante.

7. Kade Weston, DT; Georgia
- Like Direkshun, I'm going with a massive ACC DT, but I pick the project versus the polished as I think Tank has been playing much better this season and don't think we need to burn anymore high draft picks on the defensive line. Let's let these guys grow up and play, but bring a huge guy like Weston as a backup/development project.

We likely gave up a 7th for O'Connell.

I was hoping that it was conditional and we'll only end up having to mow somebody's lawn for the summer or something like that.

There is a shitload of talent at the top of the second round in the Walter Mock.

Arrelious Benn, Sergio Kindle, Ricky Sapp, Everson Griffen...wow.

I think I'd have to go:

1) Mays (it's basically like you have 12 players on D when one guy can take away the deep middle) S
2) Benn WR
2) O'Dowd C
3) Brandon Lang DE/OLB
4) Dan Williams NT
5) Dexter Davis DE/OLB
6) Micah Johnson ILB
7) Spent on Jake O'****tard

I'd be shocked if Benn was still there. LaFell might be, Briscoe might be, but last I heard, Benn was the #1 receiver prospect so far.

And I'd like people to give serious thought to Myron Rolle at safety in the mid-rounds potentially rather than burning a first on Mays or Berry. (And I know that they are both outstanding players, but Rolle is, or can be. Mays size and Berry instincts with outstanding athleticism. I think that he's got the same potential as those two, with the added benefit of being smart enough to work out as player/coach for the defense (joke, but barely).)

OL?

QB: Cassel, Croyle, Gutierrez
RB: Johnson, Charles, Williams
FB: Cox

WR: Bowe, Wade, Benn, Bradley, Lawrence
TE: Ryan, Pope, O'Connell

LT: Albert, Ndukwe
LG: Waters, Harris
C: O'Dowd, Niswanger
RG: Alleman, Niswanger
RT: O'Callaghan, Ndukwe

DE: Dorsey, Magee
NT: Williams, Edwards
DE: Jackson, Gilberry

OLB: Hali, Lang
ILB: Williams, Mays
ILB: Johnson, Johnson
OLB: Vrabel, Davis

CB: Flowers, Carr, Leggett, Washington
S: Mays, Page, Morgan, McGraw

K: Succop
P: Colquitt
LS: Gafford
KR/PR: Benn/Wade

Drafting to the strength of the board. Make a strong move for a guy like Mankins or another stopgap on the right side in the offseason. Try and find a KR/PR in FA. That draft would fix the D, and set the team up to be a serious contender in 2011, once one more position on the line is fixed.

Direkshun beat me to it. Gotta do something else on the line IMO. Maybe not, I don't know if I'm willing to give up the two OLBs.

On the other side, what can you tell me about Dan Williams?

I'd be surprised to see O'Dowd last until the 52nd pick, where they are projecting the Falcons pick that the Chiefs got, but if there, that would be a no brainer pick.

Rolle will go before the fifth round.

Massive sumbitch. About 6'3" 330. He's been productive at Tennessee, getting into the backfield on a regular basis (8.5 TFL, 1.5 sacks last year) and had 48 tackles last year. Has the frame to be a legit NT, and he's active.

As far as the line is concerned, you can't keep throwing good money after bad. Pioli should have fixed the line in the last draft, but he didn't. As such, we can only draft to the strength of the board, and in this draft, it's defense. We'll have to try and augment the line through FA and try again in 2011 to make a more concerted run on offense.

Honestly....I think that picking up Mankins during FA and drafting a C/RT in the first 4 picks would help this line immensly. That would still allow us to use 2 of our first 4 picks on the defense. And then hopefully grabbing a deep threat at WR with our other pick.

Your mock draft of:
with Mankins in FA.....would put this team around 1 year from competing.

That would put the line at:

Albert - Waters - O'Dowd - Mankins - O'Callagahan

The more I think about it, the more I believe that Albert's success at LT last year was more due to the pistol/spread than anything else. He just hasn't looked right operating out of a under center set so far this year. As such, I just don't think that there is many options other than selecting the best LT in this draft and hope that they can get some playmakers later on in the draft. And I don't really see much in the way of viable offensive lineman in free agency next year. (Gaither, Evans and McNeill are most likely going to be signed with their respective teams which puts you into guys like Lutui, Barron and the like. I'm afraid it's draft or bust my friends.)

It looks like they like Jovan Belcher at a future MLB, but the ILB position needs an immediate upgrade to a more instinctive player. TE with Ryan? Not beyond this season. No effing way. And with Hali playing decently (not great, but okay), I can see an argument for switching the OLB position for say a DT or S or RB. There can be no argument about needing at least three new positions on the offensive line. It's horrible. Albert moving to guard would count as one of those "new" positions. I can't see the team re-signing Niswanger unless it's as a back up at best.

Offensive slanted draft:

1. Russell Okung, OT; OSU
2. Jerry Hughes, DE/OLB; TCU
2. Zane Beadles, OT; Utah
3. Dennis Pitta, TE; BYU
4. Joe Pawelek, ILB; Baylor
5. Matt Tenant, C; BC
5. Brandon James, PR/KR/WR; Florida

Okung - Albert - Tenant - Waters - Beadles

looks substantially more palatable than our current situation.

Defensive slanted draft:

1. Eric Berry, S; Tenn
2. Charles Brown, OT; USC
2. Eric Norwood, OLB/DE; South Carolina
3. AJ Edds, OLB; Iowa
4. Jamar Chaney, ILB; Miss St.
5. John Jerry, OG; Ole Miss
5. John Estes, C; Hawaii

Actually, the more I look at it, I really, really like this one.

Brown - Waters - Estes - Jerry - Albert

I could live with that, along with a complete (and needed) overhaul of our linebacking corps. Miss out on a TE though. Perhaps Pope gets it, and bringing in a guy like Tony Scheffler via FA wouldn't be too bad I guess. (I really like Pitta and Dickson though. *sigh*)

Yeah...really like that one now.

Linebacking corps of:

Edds - Chaney - Belcher - Norwood

Like that lots!

And then, they can make a real big push for Wilfork in FA, so the defense looks like:

Jackson - Wilfork - Dorsey
Edds - Chaney - Belcher - Norwood
Flowers - Berry - Morgan - Carr

I'll take that. Keep Vrabel around for backup & mentoring at all the LB positions, Mays on the inside.

I wouldn't mind them using some money in FA for Vincent Jackson either. Give Cassel another stud WR to throw to in addition to Bowe.

Wilfork, Jackson and Scheffler as the FAs, and a strong draft and this team is in business sooner rather than later.

wow i just noticed this..... now i dont need to google for mock drafts....

I could not disagre any more.

The Chiefs went to the spread in the 6th(?) last season and Albert was playing great in those first 4 games last year on athletic ability alone.

He's struggling with technique this year, learning on the fly, while also learning a new scheme, and adjusting to his weight loss.

And the fact is, none of the LTs in this draft are as highly rated as the fifth best LT prospect from last year.

I fully expect that by the end of this season, concerns about Albert will be laid to rest.

But even if I'm wrong, I wouldn't use a top 5 pick on Russel Okung.

And you want to draft a tackle from a spread offense. ROFL

Makes almost as much sense as drafting a college guard and envisioning him as your starting left tackle, no?

What I'm saying is that by drafting Okung, it allows you to move Albert inside to left guard and you basically get a two for one in terms of immediately improving your offensive line. You aren't forced to roll the dice hoping that Albert can make the improvements to his game to bring him back to snuff at LT, and then go look for another guard later on in the draft. At least to me, having Okung and Albert on the left side is a major potential improvement over hoping Albert gets it together at LT and then inserting some aging, overpriced FA or low round rookie at LG. And there really isn't a lot of stud LT prospects in this next draft. Tons of RT guys.

For some reason, a lot of guys around here have an immediate adverse reaction to any Big 12 players. But I don't think that you can do that with Okung. The guy can play and has all the tools that you look for in a potential starting LT.

So, who do you use a top five pick on then? If you were the GM of the Chiefs, with the roster as it is right now.

As I see it, the Chiefs need the following:

1. Offensive line
- All positions have struggled in pass protection and run blocking. By far and away, the single biggest area of concern for the Chiefs at every single position on the line.
2. Tight End
- Kind of like the safety position, but with less talent. That Ryan, who is a special teamer and fringe backup at best, is the guy is worrisome.
3. Safety
- Our best players are McGraw and Brown. Both make nice plays, but then are completely out of position on the following play. It seems that they are being forced to make more plays than is typical, and I don't know if that's because our middle linebackers are not very good or what. Both have been in the league a while as well, and Brown has had injury issues in the past.
4. Linebacker
- Vrabel is solid on the SAM, but at this point he's been in the league a long time and we should probably get someone to groom under him as soon as possible. Hali has made an acceptable transition from LDE to ROLB. Belcher is showing flashes at MLB, and I thought he did a pretty good job there against the Redskins in more meaningful minutes. ILB is atrocious. Williams is out of position and Johnson gets there from time to time, shows flashes, but he's never had the consistency you need from the position (either Sam in a 3-4 or now at the Will).
5. PR/KR
- Need someone with speed and vision that we can dedicate to this position rather than forcing Wade in there on punts and Charles on kickoffs and who can be a third down back or fourth receiver that can run blazing post routes.
6. Wide Receiver
- Maybe Bowe is turning the corner and can be a top flight #1. If that's the case, the Chiefs need a solid possession receiver. Wade would be a nice slot guy.
7. Cornerback
- Lack of depth here is very obvious when you get beyond Flowers and Carr.
8. Fullback
- Cox just hasn't impressed much.
9. Defensive line
- Edwards and Tyler are playing okay. I wouldn't turn down a Wilfork level guy, but I wouldn't overpay for one either. *cough*Haynesworth*cough* Dorsey, Jackson, Gilberry and Magee seem to be playing pretty good.
9. Running back
- Depends on health issues. If healthy, it's a pretty good, young group.

So, in looking at that, who do you pick for the Chiefs in the top five? Especially considering that the Haley offense runs out of a shotgun, single back set a lot.

To me, it's a no brainer. It's Okung, and you slide Albert inside to left guard and he'll be dominant at that position for 10 years. Left side of the line fixed in one fell swoop.

You make really sound, solid points.

I got into a "debate" with another poster on another thread about this same subject, but the debate centered on Trent Williams.

I purposely called Trent Williams a "RT in a spread offense" numerous time, and he never once corrected me.


I tell you this, cause I think it's far more enjoyable to debate this with someone who actually brings some knowledge and intelligience ot the debate.

But I digress.

To the question at hand, it is my contention that a playmaker in the secondary at safety is now a premium in this league with the rules so slanted to offense, especially in teh passing game.

Guys like troy Polamaulu, Reed, and Sanders, neuatralize that advantage, to some extent.

With that in mind, I'm taking Taylor Mays.

he's a guy that hits like a LB in run support, and who has the speed and physical presense to take away the middle, including the deep middle, in pass defense.
A ball hawking Eric Berry would be my second choice.

I'd like to address the O-Line with Kris O'Dowd in the second round.
If we could land George Selvie in the early second and O'Dowd later, with the Falcon pick, followed by Jason Fox (RT) or Dan Williams (NT), in the fourth, those pisks would go along way to addressing our needs.

The thing is, I think that you can get a ball hawking safety and a big hitting safety later on in the draft, whereas you won't find the true, elite level LT beyond Okung. I think he's it. I love Beadles to death and think that he'd be a guy like Tait, who will be one of the best RT's in the game and can play LT very effectively, but still a guy you want at RT in the end because of his strength and nasty attitude.

Mays just doesn't show the ball skills (at least what I've seen) you want in the NFL. He'd be a guy I would pick if I had Darren Sharper or Ed Reed on my team. A guy that you could let freelance and make plays from sideline to sideline and from the box and back. However, the Chiefs don't have a guy like that. I understand that it's easy to get caught up in the physical skills potential of a guy like that, but he's going to be caught up in a lot of zone busters offensively in the NFL that will take advantage of his aggressiveness.

Mays is a guy to fall in love with draft wise because he has these physical measurables that are so far off the chart that you have to believe that he's going to be the best thing ever at his position. Problem is, there is a guy like that almost every single draft. This year there are two with Mays and Dunlap (if he come out). Think Gholston, Vernon Davis, Mike Mamula, and I'll even do a recent Chiefs reference with Kawika Mitchell.

I think that a solid ILB would do more for this team than a run oriented free safety would, and you could get one cheaper than what Mays will cost. And if you wanted ball hawks at safety, there's Stuckey at KU at the SS position that could be had in the 2nd round (and I don't want to sound like a Big 12 homer or anything, but Stuckey at SS has shown a lot of game time speed and read/react skills that I haven't seen from Mays, though admittedly I have only seen two USC games this season and three from last season) and Robert Johnson at Utah (whose had 4 interceptions and a TD in the past two weeks alone, plus a couple of huge end zone pass breakups) at the FS spot that will be available from about the 4th and below.

If I was picking on my Chiefs need scenario that I outlined earlier, it would be like this positionally (And these are guys that the Chiefs have a chance at with their picks at the positions of need/value so the "best" guy isn't always the first guy):

OL (potential first round pick, but if not, needs to be addressed a couple of times in the draft):
1. Russ Okung, LT; OSU (6'5", 305 lb.)
2. Kris O'Dowd, C; USC (6'5", 295 lb.) (Underclassman)
3. Zane Beadles, LT; Utah (6'4", 315 lb.)
4. Ciron Black, LT; LSU (6'4", 330 lb.)
5. Matt Tenant, C; Boston College (6'4", 290 lb.)
6. Jason Fox, LT; Miami (6'6", 300 lb.)
7. Mike Johnson, G; Alabama (6'6", 305 lb.)
8. John Estes, C; Hawaii (6'2", 295 lb.)
9. Mike Iupati, G; Idaho (6'5", 330 lb.)
10. Eric Olsen, C; Notre Dame (6'3", 295 lb.)

TE (Could be a high second or nothing at all considering that they traded up for O'Connell. It is a position of need though):
1. Jermaine Gresham, OU; 6'6", 260 lb.
2. Dennis Pitta, BYU; 6'5", 250 lb.
2. Ed Dickson, Oregon; 6'4", 240 lb.
4. Anthony McCoy, USC; 6'5", 250 lb.
5. Richard Dickson, LSU; 6'3", 245 lb.

S (Potential first rounder, second, third, whathaveyou - they need safeties, and there is a lot of good ones in this draft considering that guys like Robert Johnson won't get looked at until the 4/5 point and down):
1. Eric Berry, SS, Tenn; 5'10", 200 lb. (Underclassman)
2. Darrell Stuckey, SS, KU; 6'0", 205 lb.
3. Taylor Mays, FS, USC; 6'4", 235 lb.
4. Myron Rolle, SS; FSU; 6'2", 220 lb.
5. Major Wright, FS; Florida; 6'0", 200 lb. (Underclassman)

ILB (Please, please, please pick us a decent inside guy):
1. Brandon Spikes, Florida; 6'3", 255 lb.
2. Rolando McCain, Alabama; 6'4", 250 lb. (Underclassman)
3. Joe Pawelek, Baylor; 6'2", 240 lb.
4. Daryl Washington, TCU; 6'3", 230 lb.
5. Sean Lee, Penn State; 6'2", 235 lb.

OLB (for the Chiefs 3-4 alignment they need an outside guy and a strong side guy to groom under Vrabel):
1. Eric Norwood, South Carolina; 6'0", 255 lb.
2. Jerry Hughes, TCU; 6'2", 260 lb.
3. George Selvie, South Florida; 6'4", 250 lb.
4. AJ Edds (Sam), Iowa; 6'4", 245 lb.
5. Rodderick Muckleroy (Sam), Texas; 6'2", 235 lb.

- There seem to be a lot of good potential rush ends in this draft. A guy like Von Miller of Texas A&M is just obliterating people this year. Sergio Kindle of Texas is picking it up. Ricky Sapp is a beast at Clemson, Lindsey Witten at UConn started the season on a tear, etc. Edds and Muckleroy are really good strong side LB prospects.

PR/KR (Dante anyone?)
1. Brandon James, RB/WR, Florida; 5'7", 185 lb.
2. Brandon Banks, WR, KSU; 5'7", 160 lb.
3. Noel Devine, RB, West Virgina; 5'8", 175 lb.
4. LeRoy Vann, CB; Central Florida; 5'9", 185 lb.
5. AJ Jefferson, CB; Fresno State; 6'0", 190 lb.

WR (considering Bowe as the #1 guy):
1. Arrileous Benn, Illinois, 6'2", 215 lb. (Underclassman)
2. Eric Decker, Minnesota; 6'3", 215 lb.
3. Brandon LaFell, LSU; 6'3", 210 lb.
4. Mike Williams, Syracuse; 6'2", 205 lb. (Underclassman)
5. Dez Briscoe, KU; 6'3", 200 lb.

CB (As bad as Maurice Leggett has been this year, this could be a first rounder or anything after):
1. Ras-I Dowling, Virginia; 6'2", 200 lb. (Underclassman)
2. Joe Hayden, Florida; 5'11", 185 lb. (Underclassman)
3. Brandon Ghee, Wake Forest; 6'0", 190 lb.
4. Pat Robinson, FSU; 5'11", 190 lb.
5. Kyle Wilson, Boise State; 5'10", 185 lb.

DT (with the trade of Tank this would move up about four slots in terms of need):
1. Boo Robinson, Wake Forest; 6'2", 325 lb.
2. Terrance Cody, Alabama; 6'5", 365 lb.
3. Dan Williams, Tennesee; 6'3", 315 lb.
4. Demarcus Granger, OU; 6'3", 310 lb.
5. Torrell Troup, Central Florida; 6'3", 320 lb.

FB (Not so much a position of need as the Chiefs are running a lot of single back sets):
1. Garrett Graham, Wisconsin; 6'3", 245 lb.
2. Rashawn Jackson, Virginia; 6'1", 255 lb.
3. Dorrin Dickson, Pitt; 6'2", 235 lb.
4. Matt Clapp, Oklahoma; 6'3", 235 lb.
5. Cory Jackson, Maryland; 6'1", 245 lb.

RB (If healthy, the Chiefs are pretty solid at RB, but a jettisoned LJ after this season could mean that they might be looking for a new bruiser type back):
1. Jon Dwyer, Georgia Tech; 6'0", 225 lb. (Underclassman)
2. Evan Royster, Penn State; 6'1", 215 lb. (Underclassman)
3. Charles Scott, LSU; 5'11", 235 lb.
4. Toby Gerhart, Stanford; 6'1", 235 lb.
5. Montario Hardesty, Tennessee; 6'0", 215 lb.

1. S Eric Berry, Tennessee

Goes without saying.

2. C Kris O'Dowd, USC

The middle of this offensive line is the most of our troubles this upcoming season, at both guard positions and at center. Waters can hold the fort for another season, but the Chiefs might want to consider youngsters Darryl Harris and Colin Brown a shot. Nonetheless, this team has no prospects at center. I would still take Boo Robinson with this pick if it were up to me (Robinson may fall out of the first day...), but O'Dowd is so clearly the superior center in this draft that it would be treason to pass him up.

2. OT Anthony Davis, Rutgers

As much as I'd like to see an upgrade at guard, this team has a couple guard prospects that it can try out -- Harris, Brown, or even Ndukwe or Alleman deserve a shot. Maybe even Niswanger. This team has some options. What it doesn't have is any depth at the tackle positions. I'm not giving up on Albert on the left hand side just yet, but a talented blocker on the left side is necessary.

Davis can play any position along the offensive line. He was stellar as a guard, he was good as a left tackle. He is a 330 pounder who moves well, but he's not LT material. He would be perfectly suited for the right side. He also provides the OL with versatility.

3. NT Boo Robinson, Wake Forest

I would take Boo with our first 2nd rounder if we had the shot. However! I've read a recent mock saying that Boo would be close to a bottom 2nd, top 3rd type talent. I disagree. I think he is a big body that can penetrate into the backfield. He has a proven track record, and is as athletic and as active as any big nose available this year.

4. OLB Dexter Davis, Arizona State

This is a pretty good draft for pass rushing value. Top-end talent is weak, but there will still be a bevy of talented guys by the 4th and 5th. Davis may be among them, as his production has been very consistent and very solid. I'm going to take a shot on a pure pass rusher any day of the week. Davis is a double-digit sack guy waiting to happen in the 4th.

5. OLB Jason Worilds, Virginia Tech

This is a selection based on measurables. I like Worilds a lot, but I think he has some upside.

5. WR/KR Brandon Banks, Kansas State

Teeny tiny speed demon, but K-State can churn these guys out from time to time. I love him as a kick returner -- 4.2 speed with a freaking 30+ yard return average. Love it.

5. CB Kurt Coleman, Ohio State

I like corners from Ohio State, and we need better depth there. Washington needs to come around, dammit.

QB: Cassel, Croyle, Gutierrez
RB: Johnson, Charles, Williams
FB: Cox

WR: Bowe, Bradley, Wade, Long, Lawrence
TE: Ryan, O'Connell, Cottam

LT: Albert, Ndukwe
LG: Waters, Smith
C: O'Dowd, Smith
RG: Brown, Harris
RT: Davis, Richardson

DE: Dorsey, Magee
NT: Robinson, Edwards
DE: Jackson, Gilberry

OLB: Hali, Davis
ILB: Johnson, Mays
ILB: Williams, Belcher
OLB: Vrabel, Worilds

CB: Flowers, Carr, Leggett, Coleman, Washington
S: Berry, Brown, McGraw, Morgan

K: Succup
P: Colquitt
LS: Gafford
KR: Banks
PR: Wade

Assuming this anchors down the trenches on both sides, I would then beginning emphasizing WR and pass rushers in the next two drafts...

I like that draft. With the transition to 3-4s, I really doubt Robinson will last to the 3rd. If we could get him there, it would be fantastical.

At this point, after tinkering with a bunch of drafts in this thread, here is my October 2009 ideal mock right now.

My goals:

• I largely throw out best player available because I honestly have no ****ing clue who will be the best player available anywhere. The Draft turns into a mad scramble halfway into the second round. So I projected players to a likely round and made my selection.
• This draft is intended to be a meat-and-potatoes draft, designed to make our trenches that much better. Pioli has eight picks -- five of them go to the trenches, both in offensive line (2) and in pass rushers (2).
• All defensive players were selected primarily by their ability to get into the backfield. I believe you can teach defensive players to play the run -- pass-rushing is much harder to learn.
• Even though the biggest holes on this team may be WR and CB following this draft, I know Pioli will be in the FA market for both.
• This draft is pretty solid in the midrounds with passrushers, so I used that to my advantage.
• This draft also has about three players that are insanely fast but incredibly little. They all are prime targets as kick returners, and will likely be available in the 5th.
• As long as this draft is not a massive bust, I will spend the next two drafts focusing on primo WRs and pass rushers.
• I want four immediate starters, at least one additional eventual starter, and a couple consistent contributors. Of these starters, at least a couple have All Pro potential.

1. S Eric Berry, Tennessee

I prefer Berry over Mays. Mays is a gifted talent much like LaRon Landry is. But like Landry, I worry that he's just a scheme-changer, rather than a team-changer, if that makes any sense. The Chiefs defense can operate more freely thanks to Mays, but there wouldn't be a complete attitude overhaul like there would be with Berry who I view as an Ed Reed, Brian Dawkins leadership type. Great safeties make phenomenal defensive captains, and I see Berry gripping that mantle as aggressively as possible.

2. C Kris O'Dowd, USC

O'Dowd is just made to succeed in the NFL. Of all my picks, this is pie-in-the-sky material, because there's a good chance a team with fewer needs will go with O'Dowd. I think O'Dowd fixes the biggest problem on our OL: the center. Niswanger was smart, but not football smart. O'Dowd is a smart blocker that anchors well, and won't consistently get shoved back into Cassel's face. If O'Dowd is available at the top of the first, I'd put the Chiefs top priority at obtaining him.

I put considerable effort into upgrading the center and tackle positions because we have zero depth there. The guard position is weak too, currently; Waters has had a rough year and our right guard position has been pathetic with Goff struggling and Alleman not doing much better. However the Chiefs have a lot more options at guard than they do at either center or tackle. Colin Brown and Darryl Harris are both players that have potential. Wade Smith can play either position well enough. Ndukwe hasn't even gotten his chance just yet. So the Chiefs have the tools to tinker there.

2. NT Boo Robinson, Wake Forest

I do not believe the Chiefs would benefit too much from a two-down NT. The best NTs in this league are able to go three downs and are athletic enough to make noise in the backfield, not just anchor well. Robinson is an unusual talent, in that he's nearly 330 lbs and still athletic enough to get into the backfield -- really, he reminds me a bit of BJ Raji. Raji is not going to be a block of granite type, but he will definitely occupy blockers.

3. OT Gabe Carimi, Wisconsin

Carimi is just a beast of a man (6'8", 320+) and is a renouned run blocker who is swift enough to protect against speedier rushers. I'm not saying he's swift -- he's swift enough. Carimi would start today at right tackle.

4. OLB Dexter Davis, Arizona State

Davis is a pure passrusher, that seems to be all he does. And the Chiefs are shopping for pin-your-ears back types in the midrounds. Davis would be the best of the bunch. A decorated history in the Pac 10 of beating really good offensive lines for double-digit sacks every year. Davis is a lunchpail guy.

5. OLB Daniel Te'o-Nesheim, Washington

Te'o-Nesheim's production has also be consistently good in the very tough Pac 10. I think he's less likely than Davis to breakout, but this is another guy who does nothing else well other than get into the backfield. Could be a pure sack specialist?

5. WR/KR Brandon Banks, Kansas State

Banks is the speed demon I think this team should invest in in the 5th round. The Chiefs need a great kick returner, and the tiny Banks sports 4.2 speed with a 30+ yard kick return average. The rules changing on kick returns means pure athleticism and speed is more important than ever. Banks will pay for himself after a few years of solid returning.

5. RB Anthony Dixon, Mississippi State

A player like Dixon will be a must once LJ is released. Free agency always has a couple guys who can fill in, but if the athletic, 240 lb. Dixon survives this far, the Chiefs would be doing themselves a favor by grabbing him. Charles and Williams will be leading the rushing attack next year, and the Chiefs could use a big guy with a fullback's body who can plow through short-yardage situations.

QB: Cassel, Croyle, Gutierrez
RB: Charles, Williams, Dixon
FB: Cox

WR: Bowe, Bradley, Wade, Long, Lawrence
TE: Ryan, O'Connell, Cottam

LT: Albert, Ndukwe
LG: Waters, Smith
C: O'Dowd, Smith
RG: Brown, Harris
RT: Carimi, Richardson

DE: Dorsey, Magee
NT: Robinson, Edwards
DE: Jackson, Gilberry

OLB: Hali, Davis
ILB: Johnson, Mays
ILB: Williams, Belcher
OLB: Vrabel, Te'o-Nesheim

CB: Flowers, Carr, Leggett, Washington
S: Berry, Brown, McGraw, Morgan

K: Succup
P: Colquitt
LS: Gafford
KR: Banks
PR: Wade

I like the latest one, other than the two OLB's in back to back picks in the fourth and fifth rounds. I'd like to see some help at the ILB spot or a guy to play the Sam versus two rush ends.

Okay, I typed a rather long reply that got jacked up for some reason.
Here's the short version.
I like your mock, just don't see us going safety with as high of a 1st as we'll have. I'm trying to view everything thru their (Haley/Pioli) eyes. Big investment in Cassel & Haley was hired because of his offensive background. Combine that with horrible o-line play and I think we go LT with Okung and move Albert to guard.
I think we'll make some moves in FA to give us some options in the draft and we'll be focused on the lines and pass rusher.
FA's = Mike Gandy, LT of Arizona, moved to RT in KC. Was with Haley for 5 years both in Chicago & Arizona. Not likely to command much in FA.
Gabe Watson, NT also of Arizona, played for Clancy and could be signed cheaply.
Ray Edwards, DE of Minnesota, basically a pass rusher who is benefiting from playing opposite of Jared Allen but heading into FA, Minnesota isn't going to pay him after they just paid JA. Would be asked to rush the passer from the OLB spot here.
Ryan Pickett, NT of Green Bay. They drafted Raji to replace him and won't spend to keep him. He starts with Watson & Edwards fighting it out for the backup spot.
1st = Okung, LT, Oklahoma State. Adding him totally transforms our line, moving Albert to RG, or LG and moving Waters to RG.
2a = Eric Norwood, DE/OLB, South Carolina. Pass rusher that may not fall this far.
2b = Matt Tennant, C, Boston College. Something tells me there'll be a run on Centers. O'Dowd doesn't fall this far and I don't think Wisniewski will either. I think O'Dowd goes late 1st and since he's not there, they think they'll get Wisniewski with this pick, but he's gone too.
3 = Arrelious Benn, WR, Illinois, Crappy QB play in a bad offense has killed his stock and I think he'll continue to fall even though he's probably worthy of a 2nd.
4 = Dennis Pitta, TE, BYU or if he's gone Garrett Graham TE, Wisconsin.
Don't care to guess beyond here. Our O-line would be much improved rather quickly and with improved NT play and the maturing of TJ/Dorsey our whole D would be vastly improved.