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!

[crazycoffey]

Originally Posted by SensibleChiefsfan

I think the best player in the entire draft is Crabtree. My opinion. I think the second best player is Curry. Again, my opinion.

I think Macklin is going to surprise alot of Crabtree fans in the coming years....

[Mecca]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

There's a reason they didn't feel the need. And that's because there never was a need, in NE.

But keep blindly using the point of Brady in the 6th and Cassel in the 7th.

Obviously not drafting a QB in the 1st round is a sticking point even though they had a 100 million dollar #1 pick on their roster you know.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by SensibleChiefsfan

I'll meet you somewhere, I don't give out my home address.

What if Sanchez is a washout, and Curry and Crabtree are viewed as solid, if not spectacular players? Then, will you still think that the Chiefs should have drafted Sanchez?

See, I would prefer the Chiefs draft the franchise QB. I just don't see one. That is the difference. I think fans like you want a franchise QB, and well Sanchez will be the closest thing to one on the board, so you elevate him in your mind.

I am not saying the Chiefs 'won't' draft Sanchez. But, this idea that they surely will draft a QB is laughable.

Oh, Pioli and Haley are Parcells disciples... Um.... did Bill draft a QB first last year?

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by Mecca

Obviously not drafting a QB in the 1st round is a sticking point even though they had a 100 million dollar #1 pick on their roster you know.

It's more convenient when you leave that little bit out.

Brady in the 6th111 Cassel in the 7th111

[CanadaKC]

Can't change Mecca's mind about Sanchez...that's fine. I just happen to disagree. I want Curry...Mecca and Brock want Sanchez. I won't be disappointed with Sanchez...but I don't think he's worhty of a top 3 pick. Curry, IMO, is .

[Mecca]

I'd take Malcolm Jenkins before I took Curry without even thinking about it.

[OnTheWarpath15]

I'm curious as to who likes Curry because he's high on mocks, and who's actually seen him play.

Wake Forest isn't exactly a team that gets a lot of TV time.

[Brock]

Originally Posted by CanadaKC

Can't change Mecca's mind about Sanchez...that's fine. I just happen to disagree. I want Curry...Mecca and Brock want Sanchez. I won't be disappointed with Sanchez...but I don't think he's worhty of a top 3 pick. Curry, IMO, is .

When was the last time anyone took a linebacker in the top 3? Why do you think that is?

[Mecca]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

I'm curious as to who likes Curry because he's high on mocks, and who's actually seen him play.

Wake Forest isn't exactly a team that gets a lot of TV time.

I'm guessing alot of them saw Mike Mayock suck his cock all over NFL Network and that was that.

[SenselessChiefsFan]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Here's what we know about Pioli, regarding his NE years.

Why were they firing low-round selections on QB's early in his tenure there? Oh yeah, because Drew Bledsoe, the #1 overall selection was starting.

After catching lightning in a bottle with Brady, there was, once again, no need to take a QB high.

What we do know, however, is that even though the team had great talent at the position, Bledsoe and then Brady, Pioli kept drafting QB's. That's how he acquired Cassel.

End result: we know Pioli values the position. Greatly.

Thank goodness. Expect the Chiefs to draft one with the #3 overall selection, since there are two worthy prospects on the board.

Hey, I hope that Sanchez is worth it. I would be thrilled if the Chiefs drafted a franchise QB. I just don't think he is.

It is all opinion as to how good Sanchez is. My ONLY argument is that this administration is smart enough not to reach for a position, just because they 'value' it.

[SenselessChiefsFan]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

It's more convenient when you leave that little bit out.

Brady in the 6th111 Cassel in the 7th111

Of course, that is why you have to look at their entire careers. And, we all agree that these are 'disciples' of Bill Parcells. And, we saw just last year how he drafted an OT first overall.

[SenselessChiefsFan]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

I'm curious as to who likes Curry because he's high on mocks, and who's actually seen him play.

Wake Forest isn't exactly a team that gets a lot of TV time.

I am in ACC/SEC country. I have seen him quite a bit. I also saw Crabtree quite a bit. I imagine that I have seen these two more than most of the 'Sanchez' fanclub have seen him play.

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by SensibleChiefsfan

Of course, that is why you have to look at their entire careers. And, we all agree that these are 'disciples' of Bill Parcells. And, we saw just last year how he drafted an OT first overall.

And one of those disciples took a QB at #3 overall.

We'll see if Miami doesn't regret that selection for a long time. It will be something to follow.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by SensibleChiefsfan

Of course, that is why you have to look at their entire careers. And, we all agree that these are 'disciples' of Bill Parcells. And, we saw just last year how he drafted an OT first overall.

How can you include Pioli's entire career, when he wasn't making the decisions in New York or Cleveland?

And Haley?

Same thing. He has input, but never had the authority to make the decisions you're speaking about.

It's a terrible argument.

[RustShack]

Thigpen isn't a Brady, Manning, Rothlisberger, or anything like that. Thigpen wasn't drafted by Haley or Pioli. Thigpen can't play in a Pro-Style offense. Pioli and Haley don't give two shits about him and he isn't going to stop them from drafting their QBotF. This is the Pioli/Haley Era now, they will find their own players instead of using Carl/Herms trash.