Moving Up My Draft Board: Offense

We’ve talked incessantly about the Chiefs’ top three picks on this blog. I think it’s about time we discuss some midrounders that could hold a lot of promise for this team. The rough target here is the rest of the team’s picks.

I’m going to start with offense today. Here are ten offensive players I think Pioli should consider later on in the Draft, after watching a lot of tape and incessantly researching as well as I can. Essentially, I’m trying to shine light on players that nobody else is shining lights on.

Alphabetical order:

OG/C Thomas Austin, Clemson — Moreso than any other player the Chiefs have lost,  no one will come back to haunt them more than letting Wade Smith walk. Not even losing Bernard Pollard will effect us this immediately. Smith was a smart utility man who played everywhere from backup center to backup left tackle, and usually fared well. For a team like the Pioli-led Chiefs that stress versatility, having an offensive line that’s this rigid in its positioning is troublesome. Austin allows the Chiefs to play him at four positions along the offensive line (but not LT), and his seemless transitions at Clemson show that he the versatility that Pioli values.

OG/C Jeff Byers, USC — More versatility coming from Byers, who can play every position along the interior line, and actually did exactly that with the Trojans in southern California. Byers is most comfortable at center, particularly because he’s not a vicious mauler, but more of a heady zone blocker. Byers has fought through numerous injuries so much so that he’s a bit old by draftee standards, but this offense needs someone who has experience calling the plays in a pro-style offense.

Eight more players, plus one honorable mention, after the jump.

1 2 >>

Comments
Comments have been disabled for this post.
Sort: Newest | Oldest

You left out Blair White

I think any of these guys would be good mid-round draft picks. I lean toward drafting an offensive lineman for the future. Maybe these Wiegmann and Lilja can help develop them. I also like Decker. I think we all know what happens though if you don't build a good offensive line. We saw those effects last season. We have some solid veterans on the OL now lets build for the future.

I like the upside and likely bargain draft availability of Dan LeFevour - QB - Central Michigan. This kid may have some deficits, but he is a gamer and a winner. He may be the QB sleeper pick of the year, making teams look back in regret who passed him up.

I've watched Decker over the last couple of years and he's a excellent receiver ... not a speed guy but great hands, runs great routes and makes all the catches. In big situations he was the Gopher's go to guy until he got injured. If we could pick him up in later rounds it'd be a real value pick.

I like Decker. Certainly a guy to keep an eye on. He won't burn anyone with speed but he runs his routes well and he can contribute to the Chiefs because he can *gasp* catch the ball consistently.

I have other comments but maybe I'll put them in a post on the forums :).

I like all these guys. I'd love to grab Sicko just because that would be entirely too badass to have on the back of my jersey haha.

Another guy we should have on here is Darrell Stucky, he's so solid he could easily of been a first rouder if he were in last years class.