Day Two Recap: Head Of The Class
Simply put, I’m extremely impressed with the Chiefs‘ brass right now. Impressed enough that if they get all our picks signed quickly enough I might even drop the Arrowhead boycott. Before, I thought all of this rebuild-through-the-draft talk was just the Chiefs being frugal. In the NFL Draft’s aftermath, however, my opinion is starting to change.
It looks like the Chiefs are going to load up during this draft and the next, and also save up money for some young free agents when they are closer to competing. I guess that’s always been the rebuilding plan, but prior to the Jared Allen trade and this draft class I was calling bullshit. Now I am one step closer to becoming a believer. I’m not there yet, but I’m definitely a lot closer than I was a week ago.
Yesterday the Chiefs made out like bandits. Carl Peterson was Mozart instead of Salieri for once, putting together the finest draft-day masterpiece of his lengthy tenure. I think Bill Kuharich and Herm Edwards also deserve a lot of praise, but at the end of the day Carl’s the boss. Hate him or love him, you’ve gotta give credit where credit is due. Yesterday’s draft crop was an “A+” pull, and I’ve rated it as such.
Today wasn’t the over-the-top success Saturday was, but it was still a very successful day. I think a lot of Chiefs fans question it because some of the positions we drafted, but they’re missing the point. The Chiefs drafted the best player available all day long today. They have committed to fixing this thing long term, and have decided this is the way to do so. The Chiefs had an eye on being truly competitive in 2010, instead of winning an extra game or two next year. Keep that in mind as I hand out my grades for the day…
Grading Day Two:
RB Jamaal Charles, Texas - Charles is the anti-L.J. He’s smaller, shiftier, has great hands and prefers making people miss rather than trucking them. He had a fine career at Texas, and I think he’ll be the perfect compliment to Larry Johnson in the running game. After all, Larry can never rack up 416 carries again–we must protect our biggest investment. Those of you who truly hated this pick are putting too much faith in Kolby Smith. Charles will really, really help our running game–this year. Grade: B+
TE Brad Cottam, Tennessee - One of my Draft Apples, this was my favorite pick of the day. If it wasn’t for an injury and a lack of targets, he might have ended up going in the first round like Dustin Keller. Even Mel Kiper said that. He won’t totally replace Jason Dunn, or Tony Gonzalez when he hangs up his No. 88 jersey, but he’ll bring a lot of what both guys bring to the table. I think we’ve found both of their successors in the same player. Grade: A
S DaJuan Morgan, N.C. State - I was kind of scratching my head on this one, and I’m not nearly as high on the Page and Pollard Connection as some fans (especially Jarrad). Then I read about Morgan and watched his highlights. This guy plays with great passion, has a nose for the ball and really brings the wood. Plus, I think he’s a late bloomer. He only started his junior year at N.C. State, and missed his senior year of high school football due to a car accident. I mean, how many games of football at a high level has he actually competed in. Some think he would have been a first rounder had he stayed in school. I’m not so sure about that, but the kid does have potential. He’s going to be hit or miss. Grade: C+
WR Will Franklin, Missouri - The Helicopter was the second fastest receiver in this class, and he has a ton of upside. But why wasn’t he more of a star at Mizzou? Hopefully, it’s because he played alongside so many potent receiving weapons, most notably Jeremy Maclin (’09 draft, anybody?). Hearing that he’s a good kid and an above-average blocker helps his case. So does the fact that we passed on Early Doucet in favor of him. Still, I’m not totally sold. Like Morgan, boom or bust. Grade: C+
CB Brandon Carr, Grand Valley State - Considering we got the best small-school corner not named Dominique Rogers-Cromartie in the fifth round, yeah, this pick was probably our best of the day. Good size, good speed, hard hitter, etc. What’s not to like? He absolutely dominated at the D-2 level–no receiver ever even scored on him. I think he’s a steal who ultimately got punished for where he played ball. Ron Jaworski even said that this was the guy Herm Edwards wouldn’t shut up about this morning. The other Brandon will team up with Brandon Flowers to form a solid CB tandem, possibly from Week One out. Goodbye Pat Surtain? Grade: A
T Barry Richardson, Clemson - He’s huge–6-foot-7, 330 pounds–and has been described as a big dancing bear with good feet. Personally, I prefer him to Herb “1980s NBA Goggles” Taylor. Brimming with potential. Grade: B
WR/KR Kevin Robinson, Utah State - K-Rob was one of the best kick returners in the draft, and that’s why we took him. My money is on him being our return guy in ‘08 and the foreseeable future. He’s pretty dynamic in the return game, and will probably seem like Dante Hall to all of us after suffering through the Eddie Drummond era. Don’t expect much from him as a wideout, though. Grade: B
DE Brian Johnston, Gardner-Webb - He’s big and fast–6-foot-5, 280 pounds, 4.78 40—so there’s a lot to like, especially in the sixth round. Plus, this was a need. Reading his bio, he sounds like a poor man’s Jared. Hell, he even caught a touchdown last year. Played some outside backer in college, too, another sign of how athletic he is. He’s got a strong shot to make the team. Grade: Incomplete (depending on if he makes the team)
TE Michael Merritt, Central Florida - All I know about this kid is that we must have really liked him to have taken him after drafting Cottam in the third round. We’ll see if he makes the team, especially with Michael Allan still around. Grade: D (not a need)
Kansas City Chiefs Day Two Draft Grade: B+
Overall Draft Grade: A (draft’s top grade)
In 2010, this could be remembered as the draft where we really turned things around by drafting a complete class, and not just a quality first rounder. Let’s hope so.
One other post-draft note I want to point out: has anybody else thought about the possibility of us moving to the 3-4? We have four good linebackers, and Donnie Edwards can play inside; Alfonso Boone and Turk McBride would make much better 3-4 ends than 4-3 ones; Glenn Dorsey and Tank Tyler give you a great 1-2 punch inside; and Tamba Hali can handle playing in the 3-4 with his strength, technique and motor. Just a thought.
Alright, I’m off for a long-awaited vacation. I hope you enjoyed the draft and our draft coverage!
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I think Merritt will be converted to an O-lineman.
April 27th, 2008 at 7:57 pmRichardson played tackle in every game tape I have of him so I’m not sure where you heard he played guard. I think he was a great pick in round 6…has all the measurables of a franchise tackle, just doesn’t have good enough footwork. Will still be a solid backup for the next few years….
April 27th, 2008 at 8:44 pmFantastic draft. I give them an A- simply because we only took 2 OL. A late flier may have been better spent on the OL, rather than a 4th TE. Great job drafting value and posturing for future need.
April 27th, 2008 at 8:47 pmAnd that’s the point that some people are missing right there Tripp “Will be a sold backup for the next few years…” Yes, I know Herm said he would LIKE to get up to five players who can start day one (and I think he was successful), but we’re so thin that we are also in a mode whereas we are purposefully drafting future backups.
April 27th, 2008 at 8:49 pmI read that Tamba will most likely move to the left end position, Boone will replace Hali at the RE position, and Dorsey & tank will be the DT’s.
I also heard the Chiefs can sign up to 21 college free agents. Any ideas as to who they may be targeting?
April 27th, 2008 at 9:42 pmBoone will only be at end on running downs!!!!!!! When passing downs occur then a true DE will come in and take Boone’s place! Pay close attention to Herm’s words.
By the way if we sign Shane Olivea, problem solved, boycott over, we will have a legit line. Shane is just waiting for someone to call. Pounce now King Carl, pounce now!!!!!!! Don’t lt him get away!
April 27th, 2008 at 9:58 pmOne thing we should keep in mind. Dorsey is supposed to be the second coming of Warren Sapp. Sapps production in his first season was ok for a first year guy. If Dorsey doesn’t blow the doors off in his first year, I hope we don’t all come down on him because of expectations.
16G 27 tak, 5 PDs, 3 Sck, 1FF.
I hope to god he outperforms that, but if not, he could still be what he should be.
April 27th, 2008 at 10:00 pmWhere did you hear that cd? Boone is a big guy.. He’s best suited to be in the middle, along with Dorsey. Tank Tyler might not even have a chance to start, based on last years performances, Turk McBride had a better year than him, and showed up more late in games, as well as late in the season. Turk also is a hybrid DE/DT, so he’s the natural first choice to take over a DE position. Ron Edwards is also small, so will likely be targeted there, since he won’t be playing much DT now.
April 27th, 2008 at 10:03 pmAnd we don’t even really need Olivea bro, we have a decent line right now. As well as a humungous TE to boot. And Tony G can block himself. Right now I’m optimistic, but we have 4 starters on our O-line. We need a center more than anything. Not sure if Niswanger or Smith can handle it, but if they can, then we don’t need to pay Olivea alot to be a RT for us. especially when we’d hafta pay D-mac to effectively be a backup.
April 27th, 2008 at 10:06 pmKCMizzou - good call on converting Michael Merritt to lineman. Here’s a quote from Herm on him -
“The last guy, Michael Merritt, is a guy who played at Central Florida who we brought in here also. He’s a tight end who’s a phenomenal blocker. When you watch this guy block he is unbelievable.”
Either that or Cottam is Gonzo’s eventual replacement and Merritt is Dunn’s.
Tripp - I’m not sure where it came from, but I thought Richardson was a G too. I swear that’s what it said on ESPN when they first got him.
On the 3-4: I don’t think I like that idea. I’ve heard that its a HUGE system change. Very hard to convert 4-3 guys to it. For example, DJ is really starting to come into his own. Would you want to screw up all that development by making such a massive change to the scheme?
I could be totally wrong on that. Please correct me if so.
April 27th, 2008 at 10:15 pmxxxlp,
I read that on the chiefs web site. It was written by B. Gretz, so I don’t know how accurate it is. Here is what was said and the link to the article:
“The Chiefs phone rang several times with teams trying to move up to the fifth spot. The NFL Network incorrectly reported that New Orleans offered its first and second-round choices this year and a first-round choice next year. Hardly to believe the league’s own network can make a mistake as big as this one. If that offer had been made, the Chiefs would have jumped. Instead, the Saints offered a swap of first round picks (moving down from five to 10) and then a seventh-round choice, the 218th pick of the draft.
That hardly tempted the Chiefs and they went ahead and grabbed Dorsey.
And without even playing a game, he’s had an impact on the team’s defense. Tamba Hali is going to move from left end to right end, to replace Jared Allen. Alfonso Boone will move outside form tackle to left end. Dorsey moves into the tackle spot with Tank Tyler and Ron Edwards.”
http://www.kcchiefs.com/news/2008/04/26/now_this_was_big/
April 27th, 2008 at 10:18 pmGretz seems to be filling in the blanks, the most important part of the whole thing is Herm saying “if we had to line up today,” (it would fall that way) I think with all the college free agents and a year of conditioning under Mcbride’s belt, it will be a competition. Not to mention any post draft cuts by other teams that could be on the horizon.
April 27th, 2008 at 10:39 pmtrue
April 27th, 2008 at 10:51 pmhey all,
tell me what you think of this idea.
Barry Richardson at left tackle (he is actually a tackle by the way, he is big mean and a good run blocker). Albert at left guard (I know everyone wants to move him to left tackle, but this guy is a beast at gaurd, best run blocker in the draft!). Wade Smith or Rudy Nyswinger at center(not sure, as is still open to competetion). Brian waters at Right gaurd (lets face it, hes getting older and might be on the decline alittle bit. This way albert gets to start right where he left of at college) and finally have Damien MacIntosh at Right tackle. (hes has good skills as a tackle and should be able to slide over with ease).
Thats my idea
April 28th, 2008 at 12:35 amDont like the idea of throwing a 5th rounder with below average footwork into the LT role as a rookie. I dont think Brodie would like that either.
April 28th, 2008 at 7:03 amSince seeing the photo from everyone’s favorite 80’s show “Head of the Class” go on the site right above a big fat picture of King Carl’s head in the article below it, I realized that Carl Peterson looks eerily like the teacher from that show.
April 28th, 2008 at 6:14 pm