My 2006 Mock Fixes the Defense

[Mr. Kotter]

The 2006 NFL Draft is here--finally. Next weekend, the Chiefs will launch the Herman Edwards era with, perhaps, the most important draft they have faced in several years. Every draft is important, but with an aging squad the Chief’s choices next weekend could be the difference between a long rebuilding process and a quick reloading and turn-around.


The Chiefs needs appear to be pretty clear: defensive line, defensive backfield, and wide receiver are the priorities, while depth on the offensive line and Quarterback-of-the-future (QBOTF) should also bear careful consideration. As they send several veterans to their retirements in the next year or two, there are replacements to be groomed in addition to the obvious upgrades they need at several positions.

The future direction of this franchise may very well be determined by the draft choices the Chiefs make next weekend. Edwards has a reputation for being a good judge of talent and had a couple of impressive drafts while head coach of the Jets. Ideally, the Chiefs would like to draft three solid defensive players on the first day. However, the lack of depth in this draft may mean they only get two players who can make contributions early in their careers. The Edwards Era in Chief history would get a major lift with a good draft. Here is hoping it’s a good one!

My two cents if I were in the war room, as if Herm or any of you really care…




My 2006 Mock Draft in brief:
1. Tamba Hali, DE Penn State
1.a. ALTERNATE PLAN: (Based on Availability: Antonio Cromartie or Ty Hill, if you insist on a CB)
2. Darnell Bing, S USC
3. Dusty Dvorcek, DT Oklahoma
3b. TRADE-DOWN compensation: Jason Avant, WR Michigan
5. Rashad Butler, OT Miami-FL
6. Rashaan Powers-Neal FB Notre Dame
7. Brad Smith, QB Missouri




Day One:

First Round:
TRADE DOWN (unless Bunkley or Ngata fall)

Tamba Hali, DE (Penn State) Hali is a fierce, high motor threat to rush the QB. He’s a bit undersized, but tough against the run. A poor man’s Dwight Freeney? (Back-up plan: Kamerion Wimbley)

OR, Antonio Cromartie or Ty Hill (Based on Availability: if you insist on a CB...but then you lose Avant, whom I really, really like despite the concerns of some about his speed.)

By trading down in the first round with the Giants, Bears, or Panthers, the Chiefs should be able to acquire a third or fourth round draft pick. That would recoup the draft pick they lost in signing Edwards.

If either Cromartie or Huff are still available when the Chiefs pick at 20, they would be hard for the Chiefs to pass on—and if they are available the Chiefs should grab them. If they can trade down for Ty Hill, I'd be okay with that too. I'm not confident in either of those scenarios, though. However, there should be good value at S and CB in the second round. The thinking here is to wait until the second round to fill a slot in the defensive backfield (maybe even wait until the third, hoping for Cedric Griffin, DeMario Minter, or Alan Zemaitis)

Other possible first round picks: Kamerion Wimbley (DE, FSU) Ty Hill (CB, Clemson), Jonathon Joseph (CB, Virginia Tech), Jason Allen (S, Tennessee), or Richard Marshall (CB, Fresno State.)

2nd Round:
54. Darnell Bing, S (USC) Bing is an instinctive, tough, and hard-hitting head-hunter. Though he is not as fast as some other safeties, he’s an experienced playmaker. A young Sammy Knight? (Backup plan: Pat Watkins)

Huff, Allen, and Whitner will be gone. Is Bing fast enough to play FS for a while? Maybe. But he could end up at SS, or even OLB. Bullocks might be available, and is faster. My gut says Bing will have a better NFL career.

Other possible second round picks: Mathias Kiwanuka (DE, Boston College) or Ko Simpson (S, South Carolina) could fall; otherwise Rodrique Wright (DT, Texas) or John McCargo (DT, Virginia Tech) should be able to step in at DT. I’ve also grown fond of Pat Watkins (CB/FS, FSU), Roman Harper (S, Alabama), or Daryl Tapp (DE, Virginia Tech).

Third Round:
85. Dusty Dvoracek, (DT, Oklahoma) Instinctive and intense football player, with a motor that never stops. In a word, tenacious. He’s had off-field issues, but he’s an on-field presence our D could use. (Back-up plan: Jonathon Lewis)

Unless Wright, Lewis, Wroten, or McCargo fall, Dvoracek is an easy choice here if the Chiefs are serious about fixing their defensive line. Dvorcek, alongside Hali and Jared Allen, could transform a weakness into a strength, and one of the best young defensive lines in the league.

3rd Round pick, from first round “trade-down:”

Jason Avant, (WR Michigan) A big, athletic, and polished WR who would be a good compliment to Sami Parker, as a possession receiver. (Back-up plan: Devin Aramashodo)

Other possible third round picks: Jonathan Scott (OT, Texas), Greg Lee (WR, Pittsburg), Hank Baskett (WR, New Mexico), Guy Whimper (OT, E. Carolina), Mark Setterstrom (OG, Minnesota).



Day Two:

Fifth Round:
Rashad Butler, (OT, Miami-FL) A great athlete who is quick and has great footwork. Explosive for his size. A project. Needs to add some weight, but can become an LT in the NFL. A Skinny Willie Roaf? (Back-up plan, Whimper, or Setterstrom—if they drop; as OL prospects do)

If Svitek, Sampson, Black, or Parquet don’t work out, here’s our next offensive linemen experiment.

Sixth Round:
Rashaan Powers-Neal, (FB, Notre Dame) Versatile athlete who can run and catch, but he is also a good blocker. TRich’s heir apparent?

Versatility is the key for FBs in the NFL today. And this kid is already a decent blocker on top of it.

Seventh Round:
Brad Smith, (QB, Missouri) A project and potential back-up QB? If nothing else, maybe he becomes an Antwan Randle-El type player for the Chiefs...



FLAME AWAY......heh

[LiL stumppy]

I totally agree with you on Dusty Dvorcek. I think he will be a great football player once he gets his attitude fixed up a little bit.

[Lurch]

Originally Posted by LiL stumpy

I totally agree with you on Dusty Dvorcek. I think he will be a great football player once he gets his attitude fixed up a little bit.

He and Jesus H. Christ (Savior and king, also known as Manny Lawson) in Round one) will make the Chief's Defensive line, heavanly. I mean, HEAVENLY. (Can you tell I just don't get the love affair with a too skinny DE, who's not a true LB...yet eithither?)

[Mr. Kotter]

Originally Posted by LiL stumpy

I totally agree with you on Dusty Dvorcek. I think he will be a great football player once he gets his attitude fixed up a little bit.

A lot of folks are worried about his off-the-field issues.....any insights there? Sounds to me like maybe he's coming around....

[Mr. Kotter]

IF we go CB in the first.....the more I see of this guy, if he's there in the THIRD round.....we better take him. I realize the triefka of Allen, Grigsby, and this guy as three consecutive Buck Buchanan Award winners is amusing to some, but it just could happen....


Defensive End | Senior | Cal Poly
Chris GocongHeight: 6-2 1/8 | Weight: 263 | 40-Time: 4.70

Strengths:
Makes a lot of plays in the backfield and simply has a knack for getting to the quarterback...Intense and competitive with a non-stop motor...Smart and a hard worker with top intangibles...Plays with good leverage...Displays good strength and power...Was extremely productive and absolutely dominated at his level.

Weaknesses:
Did not play against elite competition...Doesn't have the size or bulk you look for...Has trouble shedding blocks...Might not have the agility needed to change positions...Just a situational player?...'Tweener who may not have a pro position

Notes:
Won the Buck Buchanan Award as the top defensive player in NCAA Division I-AA football...Had 36.5 sacks over the last two seasons...Played defensive end in college but could move to outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme at the next level.

Another, less optimistic eval:

MEASUREMENTS HEIGHT
WEIGHT
40 TIME
6'2"
263
4.7
ATTRIBUTE SCORE SIZE
SPEED
STRENGTH
ATHLETICISM
XFACTOR
7
7
7
7
6
out of 10
out of 10
out of 10
out of 10
out of 10
EXCHANGE VALUE
32.0 Pros:
Cons: Draft Exchange Analysis:
2004 -- Moved from nose tackle to end on the defensive front ... finished as runner-up in balloting behind teammate Jordan Beck for the Buck Buchanan Award given annually to the best defensive player in Division I-AA ... started all 11 games for the second straight year and led the nation in sacks with 17.5 for 109 yards ... finished second in the nation in tackles for lost yardage with 21.5 for 125 yards ... fourth on the team in total tackles with 71, including 48 solo stops ... notched first career interception in season opener against Humboldt State and also had two pass breakups, one fumble recovery, one blocked kick and two forced fumbles ... helped Cal Poly's defense finish third in the nation in rushing defense, ninth in scoring defense and 41st in total defense ... postseason honors include The Sports Network All-America First Team Defense, Walter Camp Football Foundation All-American, College Sports Report.com Defensive Lineman of the Year (First Team Defense), I-AA.org All-Star Team, Football Gazette All-West Region Team (First Team Defense) and Great West Football Conference First Team Defense. ... size and strength give team good depth on the defensive line ... one solo tackle in 2005 Spring Game.

[Mr. Kotter]

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