Walterfootball.com Mock Drafts

[The Franchise]

November 6th 2008.

1st round - Kansas City Chiefs: Brian Orakpo, DE, Texas
If you're not a Chiefs fan, chances are you won't know this. OK, guess how many sacks Kansas City's defense has as a whole this season.

Fifteen? Way off. Ten? Nope. Five? Not even!

The Chiefs have four sacks on the year! Four freaking sacks! They foolishly traded away Jared Allen prior to the 2008 Draft, while moving Tamba Hali to right end failed miserably. Hali, now back at left end, needs a dominant pass-rusher across from him to once again play at his 2007 level.

That man can be Brian Orakpo. Through nine games, Orakpo has 13.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks, as he's established himself as the premier defensive end in this draft class. Kansas City's young defense would greatly benefit from having him rushing the opposing quarterback.

Quarterback was an option, but Tyler Thigpen has played extremely well the past two weeks, so the Chiefs could have something with him.


2nd round - Kansas City Chiefs: Brandon Spikes, ILB, Florida
Napoleon Harris was Kansas City's middle linebacker when the season began. That failed miserably, as Harris was cut a few weeks ago. Pat Thomas took Harris' spot, and based on Kansas City's defensive rankings - click here for accurate NFL Run, Pass Defensive Rankings - it hasn't exactly worked out too well.


3rd round - Kansas City Chiefs: Derrick Williams, WR, Penn State
If Tyler Thigpen keeps improving and proves to be Kansas City's quarterback of the future, he'll need another receiver to throw to besides Dwayne Bowe. Bowe and Derrick Williams would be an awesome receiver combination, assuming the latter pans out.

[jeffp12]

Seriously guys, think about this season. Had we had Tom Brady himself at QB, would we have been great? No. I don't think so. We do better, sure, but our defense couldn't stop anybody, couldn't pressure QBs worse than any team in history, and couldn't run the ball worth a damn. You put Brady back there and maybe we're 7-9, maybe we're even 8-8 and win this terrible division, but we sure as hell don't go anywhere in the playoffs.

[Mecca]

I'd like to know what premier teams didn't have great QB's I'd really love to know, 1 year and out teams don't count...

Also let me quickly point you to some facts..the Chiefs drafted their LT in the 1st round last year yes? Ok how many teams have more than 1 1st round pick on the line, the answer is not many, some have none or one going for more than that is frankly overkill. The Pats have 1..the last pick of the 1st, the Giants have none and I can go on and on, so that immediately puts OT out of the discussion.

DE would be a fine argument DE's are very valuable I think the 2nd most after QB, but none of the guys in this draft are worth top 5 picks, you may not like Sanchez and you may think he's risky but I consider Brian Orakpo even more risky..people bring up Leinart just bring up the draft history of Texas under Mack Brown it's not pretty.

And for the record Tyler Thigpen is not good, they ran a gimmick offense for him and he is still horribly inaccurate gets worse as games progress, the only reason people like him around here is he strokes their Rich Gannon fancy which is just absurd.

[jeffp12]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

GFY

You're a clueless, 90's automaton that would feel better if the Chiefs took a guard to minimize the pain that would ensue if drafted a QB that failed.

Nice, closed minded opinion.

I'll cherish it the next time I wipe my ass.

I don't believe I'm being closed minded. If you look you'll notice I'm not telling anyong to "GFY" or calling anyone else any names. I'm trying to express an opinion in opposition of your opinion. Get over it. I'm just looking at the facts that I see and hoping we build a great defense and an offensive line that could make Tyler Thigpen or Bruce Gradkowski or Quinn Gray look great.

Just look at Pioli and the Pats. Brady in the sixth round, meanwhile they are drafting Richard Seymour in the top 10. That's how you win championships.

Look at the Lions picking Joey Harrington and how that set the franchise back . A bust at QB not only doesnt contribute to a team at all, can't play a secondary role, but takes up probably 60-70 million dollars in salary space over the next five years while doing so.

The upside is huge if we get a Manning, but I think you have to look at the Ryan Leafs and know for damn sure you're getting a great QB before you pull the trigger.

If we can't pressure the opposing QB we have zero chance at going anywhere, regardless of how good our offense is.

As far as I can tell, the quarterback position is more about the intangibles, the hard work, the preparation than it is about physical ability. Chad Pennington is THE most accurate QB in NFL history despite having a noodle arm. The guy is smart and works hard and gets the job done. This is true of most nfl positions, but moreso about quarterback. A smart defensive lineman who isn't big enough isn't worth much, A smart quarterback with a weak arm isn't going to light up the combine but might manage you to a few super bowl wins if you can protect him and run the ball.

[Nightfyre]

Originally Posted by jeffp12

I don't believe I'm being closed minded. If you look you'll notice I'm not telling anyong to "GFY" or calling anyone else any names. I'm trying to express an opinion in opposition of your opinion. Get over it. I'm just looking at the facts that I see and hoping we build a great defense and an offensive line that could make Tyler Thigpen or Bruce Gradkowski or Quinn Gray look great.

Just look at Pioli and the Pats. Brady in the sixth round, meanwhile they are drafting Richard Seymour in the top 10. That's how you win championships.

Look at the Lions picking Joey Harrington and how that set the franchise back . A bust at QB not only doesnt contribute to a team at all, can't play a secondary role, but takes up probably 60-70 million dollars in salary space over the next five years while doing so.

The upside is huge if we get a Manning, but I think you have to look at the Ryan Leafs and know for damn sure you're getting a great QB before you pull the trigger.

If we can't pressure the opposing QB we have zero chance at going anywhere, regardless of how good our offense is.

As far as I can tell, the quarterback position is more about the intangibles, the hard work, the preparation than it is about physical ability. Chad Pennington is THE most accurate QB in NFL history despite having a noodle arm. The guy is smart and works hard and gets the job done. This is true of most nfl positions, but moreso about quarterback. A smart defensive lineman who isn't big enough isn't worth much, A smart quarterback with a weak arm isn't going to light up the combine but might manage you to a few super bowl wins if you can protect him and run the ball.

Hopefully your QB is not taking up 60-70 mil. per year in cap space.

[Mecca]

I really don't know how hard it is to understand that there is no need to draft another offensive lineman with a top 5 pick and none of the DE's are good enough to warrant the picks...

[Nightfyre]

Originally Posted by Mecca

I really don't know how hard it is to understand that there is no need to draft another offensive lineman with a top 5 pick and none of the DE's are good enough to warrant the picks...

Just saying: Stacey Andrews + Some guard in the mid rounds and we are set at the offensive line for years to come.

[jeffp12]

Originally Posted by Mecca

I'd like to know what premier teams didn't have great QB's I'd really love to know, 1 year and out teams don't count...

Also let me quickly point you to some facts..the Chiefs drafted their LT in the 1st round last year yes? Ok how many teams have more than 1 1st round pick on the line, the answer is not many, some have none or one going for more than that is frankly overkill. The Pats have 1..the last pick of the 1st, the Giants have none and I can go on and on, so that immediately puts OT out of the discussion.

DE would be a fine argument DE's are very valuable I think the 2nd most after QB, but none of the guys in this draft are worth top 5 picks, you may not like Sanchez and you may think he's risky but I consider Brian Orakpo even more risky..people bring up Leinart just bring up the draft history of Texas under Mack Brown it's not pretty.

And for the record Tyler Thigpen is not good, they ran a gimmick offense for him and he is still horribly inaccurate gets worse as games progress, the only reason people like him around here is he strokes their Rich Gannon fancy which is just absurd.

So because some teams can succeed by finding lineman outside of the first round it rules out drafting an offensive tackle? K. What if Orlando Pace is available, or Jonathan Ogden, or Willie Roaf. They went 1st 4th and 8th overall and were anchors to great offenses for years and years. You think Trent green goes to so many pro bowls without Willie Roaf at LT?

Also Branden Albert wasn't an LT, we moved him to left tackle.

I think you take the best available player, I just don't think it's Sanchez. You know how great offensive lines can make average QBs look great. Yeah, well USC has an immense talent advantage across the board, and Sanchez only started for 1 season. Put him on Stanford and see how well he does. I think Aaron Curry is the best available player at the 3 spot. I don't care what the schemes are, the guy can flat out make plays

[jeffp12]

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

Hopefully your QB is not taking up 60-70 mil. per year in cap space.

Thats over the life of the contract, which is what's expected that Stafford is going to get with the 1st overall pick.

[Mecca]

You really don't know what positional value is do you.....

Albert was drafted as a tackle every team in the league had him on the board as a OT, so lets not make that argument. He's the Chiefs LT there is no reason to draft another one.

If the Chiefs take Aaron Curry with the 3rd pick I'm going to say they made a complete pick out of fear because his bust factor is low but even if he becomes an awesome player it won't mean much because there will be LB's taken rounds later that do fine jobs.

I really wish I didn't have to see people want to strive to be the 90s Chiefs, we saw it again this year it was named the Titans how'd it work out?

[Nightfyre]

Originally Posted by jeffp12

So because some teams can succeed by finding lineman outside of the first round it rules out drafting an offensive tackle? K. What if Orlando Pace is available, or Jonathan Ogden, or Willie Roaf. They went 1st 4th and 8th overall and were anchors to great offenses for years and years. You think Trent green goes to so many pro bowls without Willie Roaf at LT?

Also Branden Albert wasn't an LT, we moved him to left tackle.

I think you take the best available player, I just don't think it's Sanchez. You know how great offensive lines can make average QBs look great. Yeah, well USC has an immense talent advantage across the board, and Sanchez only started for 1 season. Put him on Stanford and see how well he does. I think Aaron Curry is the best available player at the 3 spot. I don't care what the schemes are, the guy can flat out make plays

Albert was definitely projecting to LT. A very specific set of circumstances resulted in him playing LG at the collegiate level. Additionally, he is developing wonderfully. If you can solve the offensive line later in the draft or through free agency, why not do that and take advantage of the opportunity to strike at a franchise QB? Especially when there are no DEs worth a top 5 pick.

[Nightfyre]

Originally Posted by jeffp12

Thats over the life of the contract, which is what's expected that Stafford is going to get with the 1st overall pick.

Too bad the lions are going to draft a tackle (and they should.) Also, now is financially speaking an excellent time for KC to draft a QB. A deflationary environment should result in lower contract dollars plus we have tons of cap room.

[Mecca]

In my opinion there is literally only 2 or 3 players the Chiefs can realistically take.

[jeffp12]

I'm just saying. Say we pass on Aaron Curry, go on with Rocky Boiman and Donnie Edwards, and then see what we think of Curry in five or ten years when Sanchez is a bust and we still have a bad defense, meanwhile Cleveland has Curry making plays all over the field. I'm not saying that's for sure what would happen, but it seems pretty likely to me.

If you want to talk about what happened this year. The Titans are the chiefs? They used a top 5 pick on VY a few years ago which is paying them ZERO dividends right now. The guy is riding the bench and taking up a lot of cap space.

The Cardinals are in the Super bowl with a similar situation. A top 10 draft pick QB riding the bench, taking up cap space while a veteran Free agent is leading them to greatness.

The Steelers are in the super bowl again. The Steelers are the epitome of Defense wins championships. Yeah they drafted Roethlisberger in the early part of the first round, but they were an established team with a great defense already. And They won the super bowl in his second season with him completing 9 passes total in the super bowl. The guy has gotten better, but do you think that if Tommy Maddox had still been their QB they couldn't have won the super bowl?

So a Defensive team with a great running game, and a team with a veteran free agent QB are in the super bowl.

If the 90's chiefs are like any of these teams its the steelers. We had a solid defense year after year and a good running game, we just never had quite enough pieces to make it work well enough. WE add veteran Joe Montana who San Fran didn't want anymore and we nearly go to a super bowl. Why are you attacking me as if I'm a moron, I believe we are both making fair points.

[jeffp12]

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

Too bad the lions are going to draft a tackle (and they should.) Also, now is financially speaking an excellent time for KC to draft a QB. A deflationary environment should result in lower contract dollars plus we have tons of cap room.

I agree they should draft an OT, they put any QB back there and he'll look terrible. Draft O line and sign a QB. But I expect the lions to be the lions and pick a qb after they picked up Gunther to run their D.

[Chiefs=Champions]

Originally Posted by Mecca

In my opinion there is literally only 2 or 3 players the Chiefs can realistically take.

So Sanchez, Stafford and who?