Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Meck
I could care less about a space eating NT, to be honest. You can grab guys like that in FA nearly any year on the cheap. There's a reason for that. Just because KC often does NOT, doesn't mean we should be blowing high draft picks on one.
If I'm taking a DT early in the draft, he's a plus pass rush threat, period.
I like Winfrey quite a bit in this draft. I think he's similar to Chris Jones. Not as big, but the long arms kind of make up the difference.
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This theory doesn't hold much water for me. To be a plus pass rush threat you're not playing the 1 in the NFL often, which is where KC needs to improve and get another body the most. Travis Jones is an ideal fit there and has the traits to be a rare star from the position. I'm not going to subscribe to any theory that won't take a guy like that in round 1 simply because he won't be getting to the QB often. Guys like Vita Vea (present) and Haloti Ngata (past) and so on are guys that can do both but are primarily there to eat blocks and push the LOS backward, which helps the guys that are better pass rushers get home. Jones has more athletic ability than either of those guys and his most favorable measurement comparison is to Mo Williamson who was a pass rush stud. Jones could potentially play either spot, which is what makes him most intriguing.
The other side of the coin is that if you're going to key on a plus pass rusher, then you're keying on the idea they are replacing Chris Jones. That's fine, as Jones is costing a fortune both this year and next. If you're going to key on replacing him, then I'd very much opt for Perrion Winfrey. The problem with Winfrey is he doesn't help your future at the 1 nor improve your depth there. You're banking on Nnadi and Saunders. I worry most about Saunders because if he doesn't cut the mustard in his return then you have no bodies that can hold down that spot. Meanwhile, you already have Stallworth and Wharton to rotate behind Jones. You almost force yourself to take another DT later on that can play the 1 and if he's going to contribute much year 1 then you're probably looking at a day 2 prospect.