My Humble Chiefs 2015 Draft Thoughts

[Sully]

I guess the most basic thing to ask is, Did we upgrade?" While i don't think that answer has been clear in the previous two drafts, I do believe in this draft we definitively improved at several positions, and set ourselves up for some great play over the next few seasons.

Round 1- Peters- This pick worries me. Getting kicked off a team is a huge deal, especially when you are as talented as this guy. The coaches must've felt that they had to send a message, and that his behavior was bad enough to lose his stellar play. The question that can't be answered for a while is, 'Was it a wake-up call?" I hope so. But is it an upgrade? Absolutely. Peters may be, within a season, the best CB on the roster.

Round 2- Morse- Yeah... Lot's of teeth gnashing and ripping of clothes over this one. Yes, it was a reach (kind of). Yes, it's not at a position that's sexy. But, again, was it an upgrade? Without question. The Chiefs' line needs improvement. We are staring down the barrel of starting a center who was a late round pick, and who didn't see the field last year. Could he be great? Absolutely. (And I don't think the Morse pick is as much of an indictment on Kush as others). I think that the pick was the confluence of a few things. The Chiefs obviously like Morse. Given. But they wanted someone who could play Center if Kush sucks, but also play another position at a high level if Kush won the job, as well. Once they chose Peters over Ervin, this was pretty much the pick they needed to make. I also think Morse is pretty good. So regardless of where he plays, it's an upgrade (we were that bad).

Round 3- Conley- OK, I wanted this kid. For the first time in my life, I yelled and got excited about a damn 3rd round pick. It's ridiculous. But I love Conley. I think he is perfect for what we do (with a few tweaks), and will be one of the top 2 or 3 receivers from this draft as we look back on it. Am I delusional? Abso-****ing-lutely. Never make a statement like that about a 3rd round pick three days after the draft... idiot. However, I love this guys brain, his passion, and his ****ing speed. Is he an upgrade over Bowe? You bet your ass he is. He's going to open up our offense to allow us to do more things. Let me rant for a minute. Over the past few years, Bowe did a few things, but really what he was "best" at was catching a quick slant in tight coverage. Balls snapped, quick slant, 4-6 yards. Extended handoff as they say. But the thing is, why was the coverage always that tight? because Bowe was ****ing slow. He's not going to beat anyone off the line. Even if he gets to a CB's back hip, there's plenty of time for the back to recover. I'd like to see the Chiefs runa few of these slants to Conley. Let's see him turn one into a 20-30 yard gain, because he beat his man and the safety had to come up. Let's see them slant-go his ass, and burn someone for 60. I think he'll work out just fine. (Again, i admit I'm delusional.)

Round 3- Nelson- In the "is this an upgrade" question, I'm not sure. Is this guy better than Gaines? Is he better than Cooper? I don't know. I actually like those two guys, so I don't know.

Round 4- Wilson- The problem highlighted in the online scouting reports is the same problem I have when I watch the (admittedly limited) vids on youtube. He seems to stick to blocks. I love the speed, but unless he learns to scrape and find run throughs a little better, he's gonna have a tough time. I talked to a buddy of mine who graduated from UGA, and who is die hard, and he loves Wilson, but admitted, he isn't gong to play much behind the line of scrimmage. That said, do you all remember that up until Haley got here, DJ was thought of as sort of a bust? The biggest thing he learned that turned him from average to great, was how to shoot through windows. previously, DJ would run around trash to get to the PoA, and that would take away his angle, and give up yards. Suddenly, it was striking how he could shoot through an open window, and use his speed and athleticism to cut off a runner's angle. If Wilson can be taught that, he could be a beat. it's a simple tech, he just has to be open to the coaching.

However,

Round 5- Alexander- Seems to do a better job of finding those windows and using his speed. He should also be amazing on Special teams. Overall, the two ILBs will be an upgrade above a slow Mauga, and possibly hobbled DJ. It just may not be as immediate as above players.

ROund 5- O'Shaughnessy- I've watched one YouTube, and read one report, but I'm sold. For a #2 backup, he's more athletic and/or accomplished than anyone else we have, and even Fasano. Can he block? Apparently.

Round 6- Nunez-Rochez- Not impressed. Seems to have good burst through gaps, so maybe a passing sub, but I don't know that he'll be much more than that. If he's used to spell Poe, it's an upgrade. If not... meh.

Round 7- DaRon Brown- Can he cover kicks? That's all that matters.


I'm very happy with this draft. I think we upgraded a ton at several positions. I'm excited to see these guys moving forward, as I think we have got a great core to help the team now, and build around in the future.