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2009
NFL Draft Needs - Kansas City Chiefs
by Gregory Cox
Senior Writer
4/22/09
Picks (7): 3, 67, 102, 139, 175, 211, 256*
*-compensatory pick cannot be traded
Linebacker – On the outside the second stint for Donnie Edwards
has ended. This was an obvious move. In the Matt Cassel trade the
Chiefs also acquired veteran Mike Vrabel. Then former Patriot Monty
Beisel (Cardinals) was signed. Let’s see now. Two guys familiar with
the Patriot 3-4 defense are on board. Scott Pioli is the new GM. I
wonder if this team is going to stick with the 4-3. Their talent
definitely does not match the system well enough to run the 3-4
exclusively, but I have a very hard time believing the change will not
be made very soon. This draft will be part of the process. First and
foremost will be a rush linebacker outside. There is no player on this
roster capable of getting after the quarterback on a team coming off
totaling 10 sacks. I would say this is a problem. Inside they signed up
veteran Zach Thomas (Cowboys) who is saying all the right things, but
is clearly playing out the string. All of this adds up to typical
“Patriot Way” behavior. Get the veterans in there and put them in the
position to make plays. However, they need that one spark outside to
complement Johnson inside going forward.
Offensive Tackle – Flat out Damion McIntosh needs to go on the
right side. Last year’s sixth round pick Barry Richardson (Clemson) was
seen as a project this time last year and might turn into a serviceable
backup down the line. On the left side Branden Albert was a dream as a
rookie. Because his college teammate from Virginia Eugene Monroe is a
top prospect there has been talk about shifting him inside to left
guard if Monroe is selected. When the dust settles I don’t see this
happening. I would expect the Chiefs to strictly draft for a starting
right tackle as opposed to messing with a good thing having Albert at
left tackle.
Defensive Line – The parts are not available to immediately
switch up to a 3-4, but again this change is coming whether or not it
has been formally announced. Most notably former first round picks
Tamba Hali (2006) and Glenn Dorsey (2008) would struggle to find roles
commensurate with what the team has invested in them. Trading players
away is always an option, and this includes Dorsey. I would not rule
this stunning move out because I keep thinking about Warren Sapp who
was a train wreck when he moved to 3-4 end with Oakland at one point.
There are quite simply a ton of young players on this defensive line.
They are so good the defense finished in the bottom 5 of all the major
statistical categories. A lot of player evaluation has to be done and
tough decisions are coming. The defense will likely run mostly a 4-3
this season as a matter of necessity, but the additions will be ready
for a 3-4 alignment.
Offensive Line (interior) – Mike Goff (Chargers) was added to
shore up the right guard spot, but he is 33 and Brian Waters is 32. He
is also the subject of trade rumors after a reportedly poor first
meeting with new head coach Todd Haley. The line in general is in the
process of being made over. They might be seeking additions in the
rookie free agent market because this team has too many holes to fill,
but a solid young guard is nowhere to be found on this roster. The
closest thing is Cal’s Brian De La Puente. At center Rudy Niswanger is
not exactly lighting the world on fire. They need talent.
Running Back – There is drama surrounding former fantasy
football god Larry Johnson. Will he stay? Does he want to stay? Is the
team interested in him staying? Let me consult my crystal ball for a
minute. Yep, it still doesn’t work. Jamaal Charles was drafted last
year and looks to have a future as a change of pace back. He carried
Texas in college, but the NFL is a different story. In relief he
averaged a healthy 5.3 yards per carry on 67 attempts for a struggling
offense. Kolby Smith is still around, but has not been able to hit the
hole with any semblance of urgency as evidenced by his 3.4 average
carry mostly as a backup during his two seasons. He is also recovering
from a serious knee injury. Last year’s rookie free agent Dantrell
Savage is a diminutive complementary player. If Larry Johnson is
shipped out someone has to be brought in who can carry the football on
first and second down.
Wide Receiver – I’m not sure this position will get attention.
Dwayne Bowe is a viable #1 receiver. Mark Bradley is a bit of a
reclamation project at this point as a former Top 40 draft pick. Bobby
Engram (Seahawks) will be coming in mostly to provide a veteran
presence. They certainly do not expect him to repeat his crazy 2007
season (94 receptions). Fourth round pick Will Franklin (Missouri) saw
limited action as a rookie, and surprised me by showing up unprepared
for the offseason program. So much for the “hometown” factor, he was
cut. Suffice it to say that before Randy Moss and Wes Welker showed up
in New England the Patriots got by with roughly this amount of talent
while winning Super Bowls. Therefore Pioli might not be too adamant
about pursuing talent even after the acquisition of quarterback Matt
Cassel.
Cornerback – The Chiefs signed Travis Daniels (Browns) after
releasing Patrick Surtain (Dolphins). This move solidified the rookie
duo of “The Two Brandons” Carr and Flowers as the starters. The task
now is to settle up the depth chart and the answer could come when a
veteran is cut in June because going into the season this young at the
position would be dangerous.
Michael
Abromowitz's 2009 NFL Mock
Draft - 7 rounds
Gregory Cox's 2009 NFL Mock
Draft - 6 rounds
Jared Donnelly's 2009 NFL Mock Draft
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