The Chiefs and the 2011 NFL Draft

For me, it’s a twofold task. Task (1) Offensively, to throw deep we need O-lineman who can pass block WR’s who can get to the ball and catch it. Speedy play makers break games open. Look at Maclin and Jackson up in Philly. Philly also has line problems, but big play guys with speed can make it happen any time if utilized properly. Task (2) is Defensively deciding the best way to improve, a NT or LB. I believe a first round pick goes for the speed of a linebacker who can pressure or sack the QB. I really think it depends on what falls into our needs. As the first round pick went into defense the last 2 years, this year I expect offense to get the nod.

Call me crazy. I know they say that RTs aren’t taken early in drafts ever but Jeff Otah and Gosder Cherilus are both tackles who were taken early and play strictly right side. Hell, the guy that St. Louis selected in the top 5 is currently only gonna cut it @ RT.

Dan recently had an article saying that Gabe Camiri is perhaps the most NFL ready player in the ENTIRE draft. With our RT position being anything but solid, is that a position we choose to upgrade in the 1st/2nd round? Or do we feel that OC is the bigger need? Perhaps a guy like Moffitt is available in Round 3 to fix our Center problem.

But, IMHO, I believe that OLB is going to be the pick in the 1st round next year. With guys like Ryan Kerrigan, Von Miller, and Akeem Ayers there is definitely 1st round talent there. Vrabel is done and Jovan Belcher shouldn’t be a starter but more like a quality backup and spot player. We need a pass rushing threat who can also cover TEs if needed.

Without more pressure, our DBs are going to continue to get carved up by the good passing QBs who have tons of time in the pocket.

OLB, NT, C/RT, and developmental QB (Tolzien/Hartline) and this draft is a success.

im not really sold? we signed studebaker to an extension mid season, to be a backup? what about sheffield we just have him as a backup? i know hali needs help but is this a bigger need then an upgrade of cooper or tucker opposite bowe? i have to disagree.

I think it has to be. Our defense is going to continue to get tore up in the passing game if we can’t put pressure on the QB. There is that saying that you can’t cover in the NFL forever. Eventually the QB is going to find someone who’s open. You have to get to the QB.

I’m hoping that a new NT in the 340lb range and another OLB will really help with the development of Tyson Jackson. He’s improving. As for Studebaker, I think he’s a situational and rotational player who is definitely worth locking up as a solid guy on special teams and as a backup, but probably not a full-time starter. Not to say it won’t happen, but consider me skeptical.

I’m still a member of the camp that we are waiting for Fitzgerald to become available next offseason. We aren’t going to take a young wideout and risk there not being room for Fitz. Haley and Fitz have some kind of bro-mance goin’ and no reason to spoil that with a wideout who could just as easily bust as be a superstar.

The Chiefs run a Zone Block Scheme right now, there is nothing to say a player can’t be a mauler type in the RT position. I would think that the Center and Guards need to be good pull block types. I don’t know if Tackles need to be a certain way or not.

You’re correct. We do run a zone blocking scheme, but I’m not completely sure if that’s designated by coaches preference or the dreaded “we run what fits our players best” type situation. I think we could be a very good power blocking team with our RBs and Jamaal Charles is the type of guy who could really benefit from a power blocking scheme. The cutback requires you to run through a couple defenders when you make the cutback and break tackles, something that Charles isn’t always great at.

I don’t know if RT is a luxury we can afford right now with an early pick, but I’m convinced that we won’t take the next step as an offense until we can finally find another John Tait to lock down the right side.

Does anyone think the fact that Floyd played for Charlie Weis will be important for the Chiefs pick?

I think that in the end, the actual amount of difference it will make will be very little. The Chiefs were in prime position to draft Golden Tate this last draft at the top of Round 2, who played well under the Weis system, but that didn’t happen.

Clausen was available well into the 3rd round, and he played well under the Weis system but again, we didn’t bring him in.

I’m not convinced that Haley/Pioli or anyone in KC cares about the players from Notre Dame that Weis coached.

That being said, Floyd is a very talented WR prospect who’s been plauged by injuries and poor QB play so he could very well be on KC’s radar if we are looking for a 1st round wideout. Where he ranks among the wideouts in my mind is probably @ #4 behind Green, Jones, Baldwin, and then Floyd. I’m not as high as others on Blackmon to KC because he’s not the taller type WR that we need. He’s more like Bowe than Fitzgerald if your looking for a literal example.