My NFL Draft Truths for the Chiefs

[Direckshun]

In case you've been perusing this forum for the past few weeks, you've noticed that I've been posting up mocks for fun for a while now. Considering the Chiefs' needs and hypotheticals, I've discerned several things about our team's approach to the Draft that I should advise.

1. This team needs more picks than the standard seven. My preference is that we trade LJ and Tony G, and should have before the trade deadline. But there we go and here we are. If trading them off is not possible, trading down is always an option as well. I would prefer this team to have 10+ picks considering the many holes this team has.

2. DE first, QB second. It almost has to be that way or reversed -- it all depends on the elite talent available. Right now it looks like the deeper talent is on the DE side, which poses better for a 2nd rounder. But I'm of the belief that Johnson has a higher ceiling than Stafford. Either way, these two positions must be addressed first: a pure pass-rushing monster and a durable quarterback/leader.

3. I like drafting an interior lineman early, and a tackle late. I believe that Richardson may be our RG by the beginning of next year, and I fully support that. But this team should be in the market for either a high-round center or guard in the high rounds, preferrably the 3rd. Moving Richardson in at RG might make us thin on the outside, however, so spending our 7th on an OT prospect is a novel idea.

4. Midrounder preferences: linebackers, linebackers, linebackers. And a WR. Our 4th-6th should include at least two linebackers and a speedy WR that's not under 6 feet tall, as seemingly all the midrounder WRs are this year.

5. This is my preferred order as of now:

1. DE
2. QB
3. C
4. MLB
5. WR
6. OLB
7. OT

That's with just the ordinary 7-pick draft. If we are to trade off Tony, we can perhaps pick one of the LBs higher. If we trade off LJ, we will need a bruising RB, and it might not be a bad idea to use LJ's compensation to acquire it.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

In case you've been perusing this forum for the past few weeks, you've noticed that I've been posting up mocks for fun for a while now. Considering the Chiefs' needs and hypotheticals, I've discerned several things about our team's approach to the Draft that I should advise.

1. This team needs more picks than the standard seven. My preference is that we trade LJ and Tony G, and should have before the trade deadline. But there we go and here we are. If trading them off is not possible, trading down is always an option as well. I would prefer this team to have 10+ picks considering the many holes this team has.

I agree.

2. DE first, QB second. It almost has to be that way or reversed -- it all depends on the elite talent available. Right now it looks like the deeper talent is on the DE side, which poses better for a 2nd rounder. But I'm of the belief that Johnson has a higher ceiling than Stafford. Either way, these two positions must be addressed first: a pure pass-rushing monster and a durable quarterback/leader.

I disagree here.
If we have a choice between Stafford and Johnson, then Stafford is the pick, and I disagree that Johnson has the higher ceiling.

That being said, even if I did agree that Johnson has the higher ceiling, it still comes down to one simple truth.
QB is the most important position on the field, and Stafford is/will be the best prospect in this draft, and will be considered a better prospect than Ryan was last year.

3. I like drafting an interior lineman early, and a tackle late. I believe that Richardson may be our RG by the beginning of next year, and I fully support that. But this team should be in the market for either a high-round center or guard in the high rounds, preferrably the 3rd. Moving Richardson in at RG might make us thin on the outside, however, so spending our 7th on an OT prospect is a novel idea.

Again, I disagree.
I believe that Richardson is a RT, with the question being whether he can be motivated.
He has the nearly perfect combination of athleticism and physicality that you'd like to see from a RT.
He can be, if he wants to, a Pro Bowl calibre RT (even though RTs are never selected to play in the PB).
He has the kind of feet that will allow him to pass block effectively against speed, and the size and strength to maul.
We still need to draft for depth, and we need interior help.

4. Midrounder preferences: linebackers, linebackers, linebackers. And a WR. Our 4th-6th should include at least two linebackers and a speedy WR that's not under 6 feet tall, as seemingly all the midrounder WRs are this year.

I value LBs more than most, I guess.
If we weren't drafting in the top 5, I'd be all over Rey Mauluga.
If we were drafing in the 1015 range, I'd look at James Laurenitus.
At the top of the second round, if he makes it that far, I'd be all over Brandon Spikes.
I'd even consider moving up into the bottom of the first to get him.

5. This is my preferred order as of now:

1. DE
2. QB
3. C
4. MLB
5. WR
6. OLB
7. OT

That's with just the ordinary 7-pick draft. If we are to trade off Tony, we can perhaps pick one of the LBs higher. If we trade off LJ, we will need a bruising RB, and it might not be a bad idea to use LJ's compensation to acquire it.

My order would be:

1.QB
2.DE
3.MLB
4.OL (C, G, or T)
5.WR
6.OL
7.OL,DL.

This would be a flexible list depending on available palyers.

[The Franchise]

If Richardson is our RToTF then all we really need is a Center. Kick Niswanger to RG where he can actually play decent and draft a Center to start. Then grab another Guard later on in the draft to replace Waters in the next year or two.

[aturnis]

Where does Herb Taylor fit into all of this?

[milkman]

Originally Posted by aturnis

Where does Herb Taylor fit into all of this?

I would transition Taylor to center.

[aturnis]

Then why does everyone insist we draft one in the 3rd?