What the Chiefs realistically do in the Draft/FA

[Saccopoo]

While we all have our personal favorites for the upcoming draft (*cough*Gabe Jackson*cough*), this is how I see everything shaking down from an objective viewpoint:

1. WR
2. OLB
3. OL

Everyone around here is currently salivating over Notre Dame's Tuitt or Minnesota's Hageman, but a month ago, no one around here even knew who this guy was.

I think it really depends on what they do with Tyson Jackson.

Jackson was better than either Tuitt or Hageman at the same level and has increased his on the field production for the Chiefs every year. I think he's hitting his stride and is at the front end of his NFL prime area.

I think Jackson understands his value on the market as well as to the team and will most likely agree to a 3 to 4 million per for 3/4 years - similar to Mike DeVito's contract.

I'm not really that interested in letting Jackson walk after year four and first year in Sutton's system while showing improvements in his game every year and then drafting a rookie and thinking that he'll be even close to what Jackson gives you right now as well as spending yet another first round pick on a two down player versus getting a starting wide receiver.

That being said, Reid saw a defensive line player drafted with the Eagles first pick in the draft seven times (out of 14 years).

Breakdown of Reid's first picks as head coach with the Eagles:

7 DL
2 QBs
2 WRs
2 OL
1 CB

However, that being said, it looks like John Dorsey is the guy who's really putting the work into the player evaluations in terms of the draft and free agency and Reid is primarily focused on coaching.

Dorsey, as Director of College Scouting and Director of Football Operations for the Packers from 2000 to 2012, saw the following positions selected in the first round for Green Bay:

3 DL
3 LB
2 OL
2 WR
1 CB
1 TE
1 QB

Basically, it looks like Reid, as a former OL player and OL coach, has respect for the DL and favors them in his drafts while Dorsey (a former NFL LB) seems to stick with his big board.

And based on the 2013 draft, the two seem to have went with BPA and biggest position of need, after making sure that they had all of their ducks in a row through free agency prior to the draft. (Alex Smith, Sean Smith, Anthony Fasano, Anthony Sherman, Mike DeVito, Akeem Jordan, Geoff Schwartz, etc.)

I think that's what they do for the 2014 season. I think you'll see a concerted effort to:

1. Sign a free agent safety

- I don't see a scenario where Husain Abdullah won't get a decent offer from the Chiefs. The guy played well to finish out the season and was consisten all year on special teams. They'll most likely look at the Eagles Nate Allen or the Packers Morgan Burnett due to Reid and Dorsey's experience/familiarity with both players, though a guy like the Bears' Major Wright would be considered. They also obviously liked Brad McDougald and will likely try to get him back for 2014.

2. Sign a wide receiver in free agency.

- They tried to address this all season long, but it never really got handled by guys like Donnie Avery, Chad Hall, etc. I'm surprised that Reid didn't have an aneurysm watching ball after ball get dropped. Riley Cooper is coming off his best year and would probably welcome a change in the environment after this past season. He knows Reid's system and has good hands and runs solid routes. Would be a solid #2 opposite Bowe.

3. Re-sign Tyson Jackson.

- See above.

4. Draft an explosive playmaker with the first pick.

- IMO, this pick is Odell Beckham. With McCluster set to test the free agent market after his best season, the Chiefs are going to need a guy to replace him as a WR option as well as a return specialist. There is nobody better in the draft for this than the 2013 Paul Hornung Award winner Beckham.

5. Draft for depth at the OLB, OL, CB, WR, RB positions with the rest of the picks.

And there is your 2014 off-season in a nutshell.