My Official Endorsement of the #18 Overall Pick

Direckshun · 04-17-2015, 02:31 PM

I've spent a shit ton of time thinking about it, might as well do it.

2014: WR Brandin Cooks, Oregon State
2013: QB Geno Smith, West Virginia
2012: OLB Whitney Mercilus, Illinois
2011: OLB Justin Houston, Georgia
2010: QB Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame

My official endorsement in 2015 is center Cam Erving, of Florida State.

Why not a WR: I don't anticipate that the three WRs I'd love (Cooper, White, Parker) will be available. I'm not a huge fan of DGB, and I have doubts in Perryman and Dorsett. I like the WR depth in this draft, especially on the 2nd day of the draft, and I'd prefer the Chiefs wait until then (or even better, trade down).

Why not a CB?: I believe that no player fits what John Dorsey wants in a draft pick more than Trae Waynes, but Waynes is likely a Top Ten pick. I think it's highly likely Dorsey selects Collins in the first round, but I have doubts there. Kevin Johnson is one of my favorite players in this draft but it's unclear to me if he's a schematic fit. And the character questions on Marcus Peters are too potentially severe to ignore. (Although, if the Chiefs select Peters, I'd trust Dorsey's judgement 100% since his resources are obviously drastically superior to mine, which don't exist.)

Why not an OT? I don't think tackle is a serious need for this team in 2015. Fisher should become a league average LT at least, and the team is basically married to him. We've got Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson for RT, both of whom should be fine enough there, and I don't like burning first rounders on RTs anyway. Besides, Cam Erving can play tackle.

Why not a passrusher? Everybody is jonesing really hard for Dupree right now, and justly so, but he will likely be gone before our selection. Simply put, the Chiefs must sign Justin Houston. If they cannot sign him, than they need to land two 1sts for him and my assessment here would change.

Why not an ILB? There are no ILBs in this draft that I like at #18. My favorite is Denzel Perryman, and there's a chance he lasts to our 2nd rounder.

Why Erving?

1. Erving hails from the best center factory in the country -- a factory that has churned out Rodney Hudson himself and Bryan Stork, who's surprised me by manning the center position capably for the Super Bowl champions.

2. Erving possesses all the characteristics that make centers successful. He's got long arms, fantastic pulling ability, great strength, and positional flexibility. His arrow is pointing dramatically upward, and like Hudson, you can expect him to be at an All Pro level within a couple seasons' playing time.

3. A great line, as the Cowboys and 49ers has shown, relieves pressure on the rest of the offense. Smith will have more time to diagnose, and Charles will have a longer career.

4. The Chiefs, for all their bluster, have exhibited little faith in Eric Kush, making center the most obvious hole on our roster.

The question is not "who is the best player," the question is "who will improve the team that most in the short- and long-term.

To me, that answer is Cam Erving.

Barring, of course, that the Houston situation is hopeless. In which case, I reserve the right to alter this endorsement.

04-17-2015, 02:31 PM	Topic Starter
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4373447	My Official Endorsement of the #18 Overall Pick I've spent a shit ton of time thinking about it, might as well do it. 2014: WR Brandin Cooks, Oregon State 2013: QB Geno Smith, West Virginia 2012: OLB Whitney Mercilus, Illinois 2011: OLB Justin Houston, Georgia 2010: QB Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame My official endorsement in 2015 is center Cam Erving, of Florida State. Why not a WR: I don't anticipate that the three WRs I'd love (Cooper, White, Parker) will be available. I'm not a huge fan of DGB, and I have doubts in Perryman and Dorsett. I like the WR depth in this draft, especially on the 2nd day of the draft, and I'd prefer the Chiefs wait until then (or even better, trade down). Why not a CB?: I believe that no player fits what John Dorsey wants in a draft pick more than Trae Waynes, but Waynes is likely a Top Ten pick. I think it's highly likely Dorsey selects Collins in the first round, but I have doubts there. Kevin Johnson is one of my favorite players in this draft but it's unclear to me if he's a schematic fit. And the character questions on Marcus Peters are too potentially severe to ignore. (Although, if the Chiefs select Peters, I'd trust Dorsey's judgement 100% since his resources are obviously drastically superior to mine, which don't exist.) Why not an OT? I don't think tackle is a serious need for this team in 2015. Fisher should become a league average LT at least, and the team is basically married to him. We've got Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson for RT, both of whom should be fine enough there, and I don't like burning first rounders on RTs anyway. Besides, Cam Erving can play tackle. Why not a passrusher? Everybody is jonesing really hard for Dupree right now, and justly so, but he will likely be gone before our selection. Simply put, the Chiefs must sign Justin Houston. If they cannot sign him, than they need to land two 1sts for him and my assessment here would change. Why not an ILB? There are no ILBs in this draft that I like at #18. My favorite is Denzel Perryman, and there's a chance he lasts to our 2nd rounder. Why Erving? 1. Erving hails from the best center factory in the country -- a factory that has churned out Rodney Hudson himself and Bryan Stork, who's surprised me by manning the center position capably for the Super Bowl champions. 2. Erving possesses all the characteristics that make centers successful. He's got long arms, fantastic pulling ability, great strength, and positional flexibility. His arrow is pointing dramatically upward, and like Hudson, you can expect him to be at an All Pro level within a couple seasons' playing time. 3. A great line, as the Cowboys and 49ers has shown, relieves pressure on the rest of the offense. Smith will have more time to diagnose, and Charles will have a longer career. 4. The Chiefs, for all their bluster, have exhibited little faith in Eric Kush, making center the most obvious hole on our roster. The question is not "who is the best player," the question is "who will improve the team that most in the short- and long-term. To me, that answer is Cam Erving. Barring, of course, that the Houston situation is hopeless. In which case, I reserve the right to alter this endorsement.
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