Double D’s Def Draft For The Chiefs

After weeks of endless cajoling and idle threats, I’ve finally given in to Merlin’s pressure to post my own mock and suffer the slings and arrows of cowardly pot shots being cast at my selections. In so doing, I am following the same rules that Merlin and Adam have adhered to with their respective mocks, namely, using DraftTek’s Big Board and going no higher than 5 slots above my pick order to take a player. Without further ado, I present, after the jump, the players that I fully expect Roger Goodell (or Willie Lanier as the case may be) to announce the Chiefs have selected in each given round.

1. Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin.

Gabe “The Jewish Hammer” Carimi, 2010 Outland Trophy winner, started at left tackle in every game he played in over a 4 year span, only missing 3 games total. That’s 49 starts at left tackle. Mind you, Wisconsin plays a pro style offense which means Carimi can come in and provide an unquestionable upgrade for the Chiefs offense.

Carimi was a major factor in Wisconsin’s year-upon-year offensive success including a 2010 campaign that saw them taking down #1 ranked Ohio St. Carimi, team captain for the Big 10 Badgers, has seen plenty of tough competition and has shown himself extremely well throughout. Among other things, he plays nasty mean.

With Gabe Carimi, there’s no mixing, matching, or any kind of shifting around of current lineman as some seem to feel we should do with other potential first round OT picks. Carimi will instantly improve our offense at right tackle, be a ready-made back-up at LT and has enough upside to be the eventual starter at the latter position should the need ever arise.

Alternate pick: QB Jake Locker

2. Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor.

I won’t even bother going into all the reasons on how or why Taylor fills a huge void for the Chiefs because I feel those have been amply covered, in spades, on this blog by me and others. If I had to, I could easily fill a couple pages doing so. I’m thinking I maybe ought to post a separate summary of those and just be done with it.

I am also absolutely convinced that concern over Taylor’s foot condition is completely overblown. DraftTek’s Big Board says I can still take him here and I’m definitely not going to let that opportunity slip past me. Just go ahead and check off NT from the needs list and allow Todd Haley and Romeo Crennel to work their magic with Phil Taylor.

3. Dontay Moch, OLB, Nevada.

Moch comes to the NFL as a college DE who projects as a 34 OLB. Being a former track star, the biggest worry with him is about possible stiffness in the hips but that concern aside, this guy has some serious wheels. Also sports a great bull rush and sheds blocks with his hands pretty nicely. His speed also means he can keep up with TE’s and RBs when dropping into coverage.

Moch’s fearless with his hits which, combined with his speed, means he can contribute immediately on special teams. I don’t see him necessarily coming in as an every down player right off the bat but he can definitely start out giving us that much needed pass-rushing punch working opposite Hali.

4. Tim Barnes, C, Mizzou.

Barnes, starting every game over the last 3 years for the Tigers, is smart, tough, durable and looks to provide many years of quality service in the NFL. Unlike the undersized Casey Weigmann, Tim Barnes has proven again and again that he can hold his own against bigtime DTs including none other than last year’s standout Ndamokung Suh. Blocks strong when in motion, typically taking out Mike backs with relative ease and also anchors pretty well in passing and short yardage situations.

Barnes should provide much needed depth on the OL, and also provide us with some extra bulk for short yardage and red zone situations, ultimately developing into a long term solution for us at center.

5A. Randall Cobb, WR/QB/KR/PR/RB/PH, Kentucky.

Man, I really, really love this guy and so do a lot of other people it seems. I’ve seen several reputable boards placing Cobb as a 2nd round talent so taking him off of DraftTek’s board in the 5th round was a no brainer for me. Here’s the first thing you need to know about Randall Cobb – he’s amazingly versatile being able to line up at WR, QB (aka the “Kentucky WildCobb”), RB, KR/PR, and, you’ve just got to love this, Place Holder.

He’s everything we hoped Dex McCluster would be and so much more. Excellent hands, as in rarely drops the ball, clean routes, slips tacklers for consistently high YAC, handles the press both directly or through his moves. As a former QB, he also knows better than most receivers how best to help out his QB.

I’m not done yet. Cobb also has a really nice trait that about 95% of pro WR’s lack – leadership. If the Chiefs take Cobb, I promise you he will be our salvation at either the split or the slot. In fact, I see this guy as potentially being the NFL’s next big impact player and the Chiefs represent a perfect situation to showcase his kind of talent.

Still not done. Here’s what Consensus Draft Services has to say about Randall Cobb:

"Outstanding receiver and runner, who would make an ideal Wildcat threat for any team that employs those sets. Can throw. Will block. Outstanding intangibles and desire to win. One of the most versatile athletes to come out of the college game in some time. Is able to return punts and kicks. Emotional leader and good citizen. Above average hands as a receiver with very good YAC ability. As a runner he has excellent vision and head fakes. Over-achiever who you have to kick off the field after practice. Outstanding dedication, and inspirational leader who can improve any locker room."

Dear God, what’s not to like about this guy?

5B. DeMarcus Love, G/OT backup, Arkansas.

DeMarcus Love came into his senior season as the top ranked Left Tackle. For whatever reason, his production fell significantly off in his senior year (Senioritis?) and now most experts are projecting him inside at G. No doubt as a result of his disappointing senior year, it seems now that people either like this guy or they hate him.

The things that appeal to me the most about DeMarcus Love are his experience, his versatility, his leadership and his attitude. Love started in games all 4 years at Arkansas including 30 consecutive starts at OT his junior and senior years. First team all SEC his senior year. His freshman and sophomore years saw him playing right guard with 11 starts total between his freshman and sophomore years.

If nothing else, this guy is extremely versatile and would give us ideal depth at nearly every position along the line. His reputation is that of a team leader and he in fact served as Arkansas’ offensive team captain during his senior year. Love is a very physical style player and is at his best in man-on-man situations.

The weakest aspect of the Chiefs running game last year came in short yardage situations because we lacked sufficient size and power to manhandle a defense that knows exactly what you’re planning to do. DeMarcus Love can come in and fill our Interior OL power void almost immediately and add much needed depth to an offensive line that lacks severely in both areas.

Besides all that, I don’t really hold his less than spectacular senior year that much against him because even the best of pros have an off year every so often.

6. Josh Nesbitt, QB/RB/SS/LB, Georgia Tech.

Josh Nesbitt served as the triple option QB for G Tech. For the Chiefs, I have him contributing immediately on special teams and primarily as backup on defense. 2009 team captain and All-ACC. Injured his arm in 2010 and his rushing and passing numbers dropped as a result. With his defensive backer’s physique, he runs over people when he has the ball and does a nice job of waiting for his blocks and taking care of the rock in the process. I see this guy as somebody that a lot of teams will probably not account for regardless of which side of the ball he’s playing on and when they don’t, I highly suspect he’ll make them pay for that inattention. Consider this my sleeper pick.

7. Cecil Shorts, III, WR, Mt. Union

Coolest name in this year’s draft. Div III highlight reel star, might go as high as 5th round. Blew away Pierre Garcon’s records at Mt. Union. Not afraid to block, not afraid of the middle, will work his way through traffic and also work for that extra yard. Not the sharpest of route runners but Shorts is still Todd Haley’s kind of receiver and I think he’ll do just fine in the NFL. At long last, a viable deep threat for the Chiefs.

So there you have it. Major needs filled at NT, WR, OL, Special Teams, plus a little added depth and versatility for the QB, RB, and LB/S positions. By God, I’ve even gone completely over to the dark side with a player from Mizzou. Now show me your best shots fellow Addicts . . . .