Teicher:Chiefs should have a short list of top draft pick candidates

[Mecca]

Who knew Mike Mayock was a true fan...


http://www.kansascity.com/sports/chi...y/1028585.html


Chiefs should have a short list of top draft pick candidates
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star


Hundreds of players are available in this year’s NFL draft, but the Chiefs will have to investigate only a fraction of them when it comes to their first pick.

NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said only about 10 players are worthy of the Chiefs’ consideration with their top pick, which is third overall.

“There’s probably a total of 10 guys they’ll have to look at and evaluate and then say, ‘OK, here’s our list one, two and three,’ ” Mayock said. “They know they’re getting one of those guys.”

Mayock’s list is heavy on offensive players, which is unfortunate for a team that needs plenty of help on its defensive front seven. It includes quarterbacks Matt Stafford of Georgia and Mark Sanchez of Southern California, wide receivers Michael Crabtree of Texas Tech and Jeremy Maclin of Missouri, running backs Knowshon Moreno of Georgia and Chris Wells of Ohio State and offensive tackles Eugene Monroe of Virginia and Jason Smith of Baylor.

The only defensive players are Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry and Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo.

While the Chiefs are closer to being competitive on offense than defense, they have few positions where they couldn’t use some help. Perhaps the only one is cornerback, where rookies Brandon Carr and Brandon Flowers moved into the lineup last season and looked like part of the solution instead of part of the problem.

Picking third, their highest position since taking Neil Smith with the second pick in 1988, would allow the Chiefs a chance at a long-elusive franchise quarterback. Stafford will likely be selected by Detroit with the first pick, but Sanchez could well be available to the Chiefs.

“The potential franchise quarterback is the most important position on your team,” Mayock said. “If I’m building a franchise, the first thing I’m going to do is (investigate) the quarterback position. This year, the guys you better evaluate are Stafford and Sanchez. I’m not trying to tell you they should take them at (No.) 3. I’m saying they had better understand what they are.

“I wish Sanchez went back (to USC) for another year. He needed another year. He’s a kid that only started 16 games, but he’s got the ability and the toughness and the arm strength and can learn the pro game and be a starter.”

Moreno and Wells are the best of the running backs, and the Chiefs could be in the market for a featured back if they dispose of Larry Johnson, who is unhappy in Kansas City and wants out.

The Chiefs drafted Branden Albert in the first round last year, and he looks like their left tackle for several seasons. That’s why the Chiefs probably wouldn’t seriously consider Monroe or Smith, but it’s not impossible because they could use an upgrade on the right side of their line.

With so many other needs, wide receiver probably won’t be a priority. But faced with the opportunity of grabbing a playmaker like Crabtree or Maclin, could the Chiefs turn it down?

Of all the players on Mayock’s list, Curry might make the most sense for the Chiefs. They didn’t get any reliable play from their linebackers last season and lacked a playmaker after trading Jared Allen.

“I’m a big believer that Aaron Curry might be the safest pick in the entire draft,” Mayock said. “I hate to say that, but when you’re sitting at (No.) 3, the thing you can’t afford to do is make a mistake. Worst-case scenario: He’s got to be a good football player. Aaron Curry is that kind of guy.

“He played (strong side) linebacker in college. He dominated the tight end. But I could very easily see him converting to a 3-4 outside linebacker because he can rush the passer well, he drops in coverage well. He’s a fifth-year kid. He’s mature. I just think he’s the safest guy out there.”

Boy that's how I'd wanna make my picks based on the fear of a bust so I reach for a devalued position brilliant!

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by Basileus777

You're talking to the guy who started the first I miss Carl thread.



Maybe it's just because I live on the East Coast, but I get plenty of Wake games.

And the majority of our membership lives west of the Mississippi - therefore I'd bet most of the people pimping him have never seen him play.

[ChiefRon]

Originally Posted by milkman

The argument is that Pioli comes from the Parcell's tree, so Parcell's draft history shows us how Pioli might think when the draft rolls around.

But as that history shows, he hasn't had many opportunities to draft a franchise QB, so it has no bearing on this draft and how Pioli might approach it.

Add in the fact that Pioli is in this for the long haul, while Parcells is really short term in Miami, it makes Parcells even more irrelevent to the discussion.

Ah, thanks for catching me up. There for a minute I thought I missed some big announcement.

Now then, Clark said we'd be drafting a QB every year didn't he?

So it really boils down to either taking a potential franchise QB at the top, or looking for a steal later in the draft. Which brings us back to the real question:

Do we currently have a franchise QB?

[CoMoChief]

Originally Posted by RustShack

He got a full seasons worth of snaps. Yeah he would be better with another year, but that doesn't mean he isn't ready now. Hell Cassell didn't even play when he went to school there.

Cassell also wasn't a 3rd overall pick, he was a 7th rd selection.

Not only that but Cassell sat and learned the pro game from probably the best QB in the NFL as well as a great coaching staff.

If we choose a QB at #3 we're not gonna sit him for a few seasons while he learns the NFL ropes, he's gonna start immediately.

[CoMoChief]

Originally Posted by ChiefRon

Do we currently have a franchise QB?

We don't know that yet. I'm for giving him (Thigpen) a full offseason and training camp, upgrading the rt side of the Oline, add a WR and see what happens.

There were many games last season where the offense did more than enough to win games for us.

Had Croyle performed the way Thigpen did last season, we wouldn't even be talking about drafting a QB in the top 3. Everyone would think that he's getting better and so on.

[keg in kc]

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

We don't know that yet.

I'd say if you don't know whether or not you have a franchise quarterback...then you don't have a franchise quarterback.

[CoMoChief]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I'd say if you don't know whether or not you have a franchise quarterback...then you don't have a franchise quarterback.

Who says Thigpen can't get better this offseason and TC and continue to get better this next season? ANd just because you draft a QB in the top 5 doesn't mean he's gonna be a franchise QB. You intend for that to happen, but there have been just as many busts at this position as there have been successful QB's, and I'd say probably more busts to be honest.

Pulling someone off of waivers and being a former 7th rd pick, doesn't exactly fit the definition of a franchise QB.

But Brady was a 6th rd pick, Cassell was a 7th rd pick, not saying it can't happen, but Thigpen is also more athletic than both of those guys and has shown that he can make plays with his legs.

Let him continue to groom and see if he gets better. He played well enough at times last season to win games.

I just dont think this is the year to take a QB with a #3 pick. I liked Matt Ryan last season, I thought he was worthy of top 5 pick. Stafford and Sanchez not so much, esp Sanchez. I wouldnt be pissed if Stafford was our choice, but I would be down right livid pissed off if we gamble on Sanchez.

[ChiefRon]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I'd say if you don't know whether or not you have a franchise quarterback...then you don't have a franchise quarterback.

QFT. This should be required for all posts debating the QB position.

[RustShack]

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

Cassell also wasn't a 3rd overall pick, he was a 7th rd selection.

Not only that but Cassell sat and learned the pro game from probably the best QB in the NFL as well as a great coaching staff.

If we choose a QB at #3 we're not gonna sit him for a few seasons while he learns the NFL ropes, he's gonna start immediately.

Cassell didn't start at all and isn't nearly as physically talented, thats why he was a 7th round pick. Smart teams don't start a #3 QB right out of the gate. So either you are reeruned or you think Pioli and Haley are. I'm leaning towards you being the reerun. On another note, have you ever been right about anything?

[ChiefRon]

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

Who says Thigpen can't get better this offseason and TC and continue to get better this next season? ANd just because you draft a QB in the top 5 doesn't mean he's gonna be a franchise QB. You intend for that to happen, but there have been just as many busts at this position as there have been successful QB's, and I'd say probably more busts to be honest.

Pulling someone off of waivers and being a former 7th rd pick, doesn't exactly fit the definition of a franchise QB.

But Brady was a 6th rd pick, Cassell was a 7th rd pick, not saying it can't happen, but Thigpen is also more athletic than both of those guys and has shown that he can make plays with his legs.

Let him continue to groom and see if he gets better. He played well enough at times last season to win games.

I just dont think this is the year to take a QB with a #3 pick. I liked Matt Ryan last season, I thought he was worthy of top 5 pick. Stafford and Sanchez not so much, esp Sanchez. I wouldnt be pissed if Stafford was our choice, but I would be down right livid pissed off if we gamble on Sanchez.

So if you're Pioli/Haley, you're willing to risk your career on Thigpen then?

[milkman]

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

Who says Thigpen can't get better this offseason and TC and continue to get better this next season? ANd just because you draft a QB in the top 5 doesn't mean he's gonna be a franchise QB. You intend for that to happen, but there have been just as many busts at this position as there have been successful QB's, and I'd say probably more busts to be honest.

Pulling someone off of waivers and being a former 7th rd pick, doesn't exactly fit the definition of a franchise QB.

But Brady was a 6th rd pick, Cassell was a 7th rd pick, not saying it can't happen, but Thigpen is also more athletic than both of those guys and has shown that he can make plays with his legs.

Let him continue to groom and see if he gets better. He played well enough at times last season to win games.

I just dont think this is the year to take a QB with a #3 pick. I liked Matt Ryan last season, I thought he was worthy of top 5 pick. Stafford and Sanchez not so much, esp Sanchez. I wouldnt be pissed if Stafford was our choice, but I would be down right livid pissed off if we gamble on Sanchez.

There are only a handfull of people that would/are arguing against giving Thigpen the chance to improve and compete for the job.

But to go into next season with him as the only QBoTF propsect would be sheer stupidity.

[StcChief]

Originally Posted by Bootlegged

QB or trade down. Simple.

seems like the smart move.... 2 picks later in 1st and 2nd.

[Basileus777]

Originally Posted by StcChief

seems like the smart move.... 2 picks later in 1st and 2nd.

Trading down is probably impossible. No one is going to want to trade up to #3 in this draft.

[ChiefRon]

Originally Posted by Mecca

“The potential franchise quarterback is the most important position on your team,” Mayock said. “If I’m building a franchise, the first thing I’m going to do is (investigate) the quarterback position. This year, the guys you better evaluate are Stafford and Sanchez. I’m not trying to tell you they should take them at (No.) 3. I’m saying they had better understand what they are.

“I wish Sanchez went back (to USC) for another year. He needed another year. He’s a kid that only started 16 games, but he’s got the ability and the toughness and the arm strength and can learn the pro game and be a starter.”

This is all you need to know. End of thread, somebody start another one...

[Coogs]

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

But Brady was a 6th rd pick, Cassell was a 7th rd pick, not saying it can't happen, but Thigpen is also more athletic than both of those guys and has shown that he can make plays with his legs.

Making plays with his legs seems to be his strength. He really has not shown he can make the plays with his arm yet. He had wide open receivers on deep balls that he badly underthrew, yet was able to complete them because the guys were so wide open. In weather that was not the greatest, he was way off target on many passes. And he was very fortunate that some CB's were unable to catch some out patterns that would have turned into easy pick-sixes. He does seem to have a good combo going with Gonzo, but I would think that any and every single QB to put on a Chiefs uniform could say that.

And if we passed on Sanchez, and he turns out to be an Elway, Marino, Montana, Manning, or Favre... I would think a lot more folks here would be more livid pissed than the other way around.

[StcChief]

Originally Posted by Basileus777

Trading down is probably impossible. No one is going to want to trade up to #3 in this draft.

if the Franchise QB for next 10 years is on the line, you think even as dumb as Detriot and the Lambs are they dont grab QBs ahead of us?
Detriot bad need. Lambs - Bugler isn't the answer.