Rotoworld's NFL Draft Needs: Chiefs

[Marco Polo]

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/cf...t-needs-chiefs

Evan Silva (@EvanSilva) is the Senior Football Editor for Rotoworld's NFL Page, and Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) leads Rotoworld's college football and NFL draft coverage. Together, they're breaking down every team's biggest needs and offering potential solutions in May's draft.

For a breakdown on every team, check out the team-by-team draft preview schedule.

No. 1 Team Need: Cornerback

Silva's Analysis

RCB Sean Smith is a solid starter and I think LCB Phillip Gaines has a good shot to become one. Kansas City's cornerback depth chart falls off sharply thereafter, with perennial liability Marcus Cooper penciled in as the No. 3. In a division where they face Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers and potentially-promising Derek Carr twice per season, the Chiefs need more than two quality cornerbacks. DC Bob Sutton likes to play press-man coverage in the secondary and values length on the perimeter. Although his long-term position may ultimately be outside, Gaines saw extensive snaps at slot corner last season and provides versatility.


No. 2 Team Need: Offensive line

Silva's Analysis

The Chiefs have a lot of bodies on the line after signing RG Paul Fanaika and trading for LG Ben Grubbs, but plus starters are lacking. Eric Fisher is a below-average left tackle and needs to face competition despite his lofty draft status. C Rodney Hudson's high-cost departure leaves Eric Kush as Kansas City's projected starting center. A 2013 sixth-round pick, Kush has played 73 career snaps -- and none last year. Fanaika was one of the worst guards in football last season, while RT Jeff Allen missed all but one game with a severe elbow injury.


No. 3 Team Need: Inside linebacker


Silva's Analysis

Josh Mauga was a sieve in run defense last season. Surprisingly re-signed for $8.25 million over three years, Mauga would return as the Chiefs' No. 3 inside linebacker and a special teamer in an ideal world. Kansas City's run defense especially collapsed when fellow ILB Derrick Johnson tore his Achilles' last September. Although Johnson will return, he is entering his age-33 season as well as a contract year. I suspect GM John Dorsey will draft two inside linebackers, ideally one who can blow up lead blocks and another who can cover and run. Wide receiver, defensive end and tight end are other needs for Kansas City.



Norris’ Mock Draft:


Round 1 (18): LB Eric Kendricks, UCLA - A perfect fit for a team with a drastic need for a three down linebacker. There are some rumblings Kendricks will not be selected in the first round. I find that insane. It used to be said that only pass rushers are worth this type of investment. Remove that idea from your brain. Kendricks is aggressive moving forward but is so comfortable in coverage.


Round 2 (49): CB Quinten Rollins, Miami (OH) - The former basketball player turned corner is one of the more intriguing prospects in this class. If Rollins emerges as a starter he will play outside with Gaines inside. Rollins is very good at contesting the ball at the catch point and slow playing receivers’ routes on an island.


Round 3 (80): OL Ty Sambrailo, Colorado State - Teams are looking at Ty as a right tackle and guard. Sambrailo needs to improve his functional strength, an issue he has in common with Eric Fisher.


Round 3 (94): WR Rashad Greene, FSU - One of the better route runners in this class could also fill the slot role for the Chiefs. Greene should not be asked to consistently win at the catch point and he likely won’t play on the outside, but in his role he can have a productive career.


Round 4 (118): LB Taiwan Jones, Michigan State - The run stuffing linebacker Evan called for. This is Jones’ role, to explode forward and meet blockers or running backs at the line of scrimmage. His average athleticism limits his effectiveness in other directions and facets of the game.


Round 5 (172): C Max Garcia, Florida - A versatile interior offensive lineman who could be used in a utility role or even as a potential starter. Yes, a fifth round pick starting. We have seen centers play earlier and earlier on in their careers.


Round 5 (173): TE Blake Bell, Oklahoma - A bit of a project at tight end. Bell is still converting from quarterback but did flash an early understanding of the position at the East West Shrine and somewhat limited snaps this season.


Round 6 (193): WR Geremy Davis, UConn - I bet the NFL likes Davis more than I do. He tested well (which I don’t see on the field) and is very good at the catch point. Davis needs to dominate there, because I just don’t see him separating enough on the ground.


Round 6 (217): DL Terry Williams, ECU - I bet I like Williams more than the NFL does. Terry can be the team’s backup nose tackle, which would allow Poe to move around to different alignments since he rarely comes off the field. Williams is explosive and agile for such a heavy defensive lineman.


Round 7 (233): DB Imoan Claiborne, Northwestern State - Claiborne surprisingly did not receive a Combine invite, but showed well at the Senior Bowl. There will be projections to both safety and corner.


Chiefs Current Offensive Depth Chart

QB: Alex Smith
RB: Jamaal Charles
FB: Anthony Sherman
WR: Jeremy Maclin
WR: Albert Wilson
TE: Travis Kelce
LT: Eric Fisher
LG: Ben Grubbs
C: Eric Kush
RG: Paul Fanaika
RT: Jeff Allen


Chiefs Current Defensive Depth Chart

LE: Mike DeVito
RE: Allen Bailey
NT: Dontari Poe
OLB: Justin Houston
OLB: Tamba Hali
ILB: Derrick Johnson
ILB: Josh Mauga
CB: Sean Smith
CB: Phillip Gaines
FS: Ron Parker
SS: Tyvon Branch

[keg in kc]

It's like they tried to create the draft that I would least like.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

It's like they tried to create the draft that I would least like.

That's kind of why I'm upbeat.

Dorsey in the two years he's been with us has done some pretty unexpected things when it comes to player selection. Most of these mocks ****ing suck, so I think we'll actually be okay, because he'll likely do the opposite of what people generally perceive about the path the Chiefs should take.

[Mr. Laz]

Don't the Chiefs pretty much have to draft a CB early with the possibility of Sean Smith being suspended?

Guy needs to be good enough to start for a couple of games right out of the gate

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

Don't the Chiefs pretty much have to draft a CB early with the possibility of Sean Smith being suspended?

Guy needs to be good enough to start for a couple of games right out of the gate

I favor going CB in the first more than WR or OL. We've done a good job steadily improving that position group, and now it's time to really solidify it inside and out, forwards and backwards.

[58-4ever]

As an OU fan, I actually love the Blake Bell pick. He's a HUGE target and he understands the game. He was actually a good blocker too.