Up-side, I hope that they have all the talent they need, already, that the inconsistencies they’re seeing in the young players will dwindle over time, and Toomer will push them to be better. But after years of following the Chiefs, in particular, and the NFL, in general, the only thing the up-side analysis does is make you feel better and sleep better in August (and give you heartburn for 11 months).

People on AP and elsewhere diss me sometimes for saying WR, DL, and OT are about the only 3 areas I’d ever want to spend a 1st-round pick on, because top-shelf talent is so rare and weakness equates with defeat. You can “team ‘n’ scheme” with GOOD players at ‘most every other position (and I include QB in this, which REALLY gets me disrespect!). Blah blah blah. The point is, I ain’t seein’ WRs that WOW me and that’s what you need, DBowe’s drop-fraught flashes notwithstanding.

When I say “need,” I mean “to be a legit contender.” This move for Toomer turns the question “Can Haley work miracles with the WRs?” into “Can Haley work miracles with the WRs???” I just went from .500-or-better-if-lucky to 5 wins with this one smart signing.

As to your “reach” comment on Jackson, I think that it was technically a reach, but pretty much what Pioli had to do. The only trade-up into the top 5 was for #5 pick Sanchez, wasn’t it? Pioli wasn’t flashy, but the main thing is to get the ship pointed in the right direction, so he went for virtually no downside in a key area of need, and drafted Magee to give even MORE assurance that forward progress is made.

I’d rather they could’ve traded farther down in the 1st or even out of it entirely. Barring that, I’m glad they did what they did, now that I’m over Eugene Monroe.

He can catch, which is something we cannot seem to do right now. He is pure QB insurance.

Toomer (and Engram) will not outrun anyone this year, but he (They) will make the tough catch.

Dwayne Bowe #1
Mark Bradley #2
Bobby Engram#3
Amani Toomer #4

Not too bad.

Rome wasn’t built in a day.

I am with you. I don’t hate the signing, but I am wondering if we are getting close to the line of shutting out opportunities for young players to learn and grow.