Chiefs draft needs, according to Rotoworld (Evan Silva & Josh Norris)

[ct]

Didn't see this posted anywhere, at least not on it's own.

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nf...t-needs-chiefs

No. 1 Team Need: Offensive Line

Silva's analysis

Left tackle Branden Albert, right guard Geoff Schwartz, and top interior reserve Jon Asamoah all left in free agency. Left guard Jeff Allen struggled mightily for a second straight season, while C Rodney Hudson is entering a contract year. 2013 No. 1 overall pick Eric Fisher was a letdown as a rookie, and swing tackle Donald Stephenson is best suited for a backup role. Beyond Fisher, the Chiefs have little settled long term on their offensive line. They may use multiple draft picks here.

Norris' options

First day option: G Xavier Su’a-Filo, UCLA - The top pure guard in this class, Su’a-Filo is extremely agile for an interior offensive lineman. He easily gets to the second level and can reach laterally when needing to seal off opponents. Despite his pear shape, Su’a-Filo is an extremely strong and aggressive blocker. He is always looking for an uncovered defender when left open at the snap.

Second day possibility: G Dakota Dozier, Furman - Dozier is another prospect making the move from left tackle to guard, but he looked very comfortable in tight spaces at the East West Shrine Game and when covered by a tight end at Furman. He can bend at the knees to absorb in pass protection or drive block with an athletic lower half.

Third day flier: C Gabe Ikard, Oklahoma - Ikard will struggle to hold up against face up nose tackles at this point in his development, but he is a move center with mobility. His game is all about reaching and getting in front of defensive linemen or linebackers. Ikard is an occupier.

No. 2 Team Need: Safety

Silva's analysis

The Chiefs predictably let incumbent FS Kendrick Lewis leave without a fight, and salary-cap constraints prevented them from replacing him before the draft. Converted cornerback Sanders Commings is currently penciled in at free safety. It's a position at which Kansas City figures to use a high draft pick, perhaps as early as No. 23 overall. As SS Eric Berry is at his best playing close to the line of scrimmage, Bob Sutton's defense could use a rangy safety to roam center field.

Norris' options

First day option: Jimmie Ward, NIU - I think I have mentioned Ward more often than any other prospect in these previews, but for good reason. After Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Ward is the next best safety in this class, but could be the third one selected. Ward played man coverage at the line of scrimmage, in the box and in the deeper portions of the field. He has some Kenny Vaccaro in his game.

Second day possibility: Brock Vereen, Minnesota - There just are not enough true free safeties in this class. Vereen has played more in the box and in man coverage as a nickel corner. Many teams are moving towards three safeties in nickel situations rather than three corners. Vereen can fill this role.

Third day flier: Ed Reynolds, Stanford - Reynolds is at his best keeping the pass and the run in front of him. He loses ground when opening his hips and transitioning. He can read the quarterback’s eyes in the hopes of getting a jump on the intended target.

No. 3 Team Need: Wide Receiver

Silva's analysis

The Chiefs were the only team in the NFL in 2013 whose tailback led them in targets, catches, receiving yards, and touchdowns. Andy Reid deserves a lot of credit for expanding Alex Smith's willingness to pull the trigger over the course of the season, but Smith won't continue his growth without better weapons. Kansas City also lost Dexter McCluster's 53 receptions in free agency.

Norris' options

First day option: Marqise Lee, USC - Lee had a down 2013, specifically due to a drop rate of over 12 percent. He was mainly used on inside and outside breaking routes in the short to intermediate levels of the field. This is where Alex Smith is at his best. Lee is a fluid mover with body control, which allows him to separate on the ground or create a sliver of space when adjusting for the catch.

Second day possibility: Jarvis Landry, LSU - Landry is a thick slot receiver who wins with little wasted movement, timing and the best hands in this draft. He’s not a straight-line speedster, but Landry would help Smith in the short and intermediate levels. He can also win in contested situations.

Third day flier: Michael Campanaro, Wake Forest - You all might think I’m stereotyping, but Campanaro does his best work in the slot. With that said, he did flash a few vertical catches.

Chiefs 2014 Draft Picks (6)

First Round (No. 23)
Third Round (No. 87)
Fourth Round (No. 124)
Fifth Round (No. 163)
Sixth Round (No. 193)
Sixth Round (No. 200)

Current Chiefs First-Team Offense

QB: Alex Smith
RB: Jamaal Charles
WR: Dwayne Bowe
WR: Donnie Avery
TE: Anthony Fasano
TE: Travis Kelce
LT: Eric Fisher
LG: Jeff Allen
C: Rodney Hudson
RG: Rishaw Johnson
RT: Donald Stephenson

Current Chiefs First-Team Defense

RE: Vance Walker
LE: Mike DeVito
NT: Dontari Poe
ILB: Derrick Johnson
ILB: Joe Mays
OLB: Tamba Hali
OLB: Justin Houston
LCB: Brandon Flowers
RCB: Sean Smith
FS: Sanders Commings
SS: Eric Berry



Also a video embedded for our #1 OLine need

For analysis of other teams
http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cf...t-team-by-team

[Eleazar]

Classic analysis by people who google the team but don't actually watch them or know anything about them.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by ct

WR is truly the one position still standing out as a glaring hole, with Dexter gone and Avery horribly inconsistent, Jenkins I don't care what they say he's a total shot in the dark, as is midget form up North, so the failure to land Sanders in FA puts this as clear #1 need.

I still think FS is a bigger need.

Bowe has been a productive player, Avery is a solid no 3 option on most teams, we just don't have a legit guy opposite Bowe. There is at least something at the position.

At TE and FS we have guys that have proven nothing or proven they provide next to nothing.

Originally Posted by ct

Frankly i'd put TE higher need than OLine, but it could go either way I guess.

Definitely...

[PhillyChiefFan]

YES!!! Can't wait to pick up my Su’a-Filo jersey

[Jimmya]

Surely they have good scouts that can find a decent guard in this giant nation to take in the later rounds.

[Chief_For_Life58]

Originally Posted by PhillyChiefFan

YES!!! Can't wait to pick up my Su’a-Filo jersey

[Discuss Thrower]

It was painfully obvious that KC's defense fell apart without Houston and Hali.

One of them is about to be negotiating for a contract. The other is early thirties that looks 10-15 years older than that.

Several posters here, who presumably aren't paid to talk football, have said the Chiefs would do well to pick a guy to replace Houston or Hali in the long run.

Considering these facts, why in the world doesn't this register with draftniks?

[Easy 6]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

It was painfully obvious that KC's defense fell apart without Houston and Hali.

One of them is about to be negotiating for a contract. The other is early thirties that looks 10-15 years older than that.

Several posters here, who presumably aren't paid to talk football, have said the Chiefs would do well to pick a guy to replace Houston or Hali in the long run.

Considering these facts, why in the world doesn't this register with draftniks?

Because they don't really follow the Chiefs, but are required to occasionally talk about us... so they slap a bunch of ill informed crap together and call it "coverage".

[patteeu]

If Marqise Lee dropped 12% of his passes last year in college, I don't want him. Please choose a different WR.

[BlackHelicopters]

Please no lineman in the first

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by patteeu

If Marqise Lee dropped 12% of his passes last year in college, I don't want him. Please choose a different WR.

That's a bunch to be sure, but he WAS the Biletnikoff winner two seasons ago, and iirc he played hurt basically all of last year for USC.

He's intriguing to me, especially in this west coast style of offense we run right now.

[ptlyon]

Originally Posted by patteeu

If Marqise Lee dropped 12% of his passes last year in college, I don't want him. Please choose a different WR.

Would make a great bookend to Bowe then

[patteeu]

Originally Posted by Bowser

That's a bunch to be sure, but he WAS the Biletnikoff winner two seasons ago, and iirc he played hurt basically all of last year for USC.

He's intriguing to me, especially in this west coast style of offense we run right now.

If he was playing with a cast on his hand, I guess I could understand it. Otherwise, I've seen enough drops from our current WRs.

[KCUnited]

Mother**** you Goodell for extending the Oline in the first talk into May.

[Mr. Arrowhead]

Wasnt Silva the one that said Reid and Alex Smith were a train wreck waiting to happen

[Mr. Plow]

Originally Posted by Pablo

I hope we can follow up the Eric Fisher pick with a sexy Guard pick.

Being a Chiefs fan is cool!