The Kansas City Chiefs, The 2014 NFL Draft, & Trading Down
With the 2014 NFL Combine coming to a close today and the first official pro days less than two weeks away, draft fever has officially hit. We’re beginning to get a clearer picture of what players might be available at 23 for the Kansas City Chiefs. Safety talent at the top of the draft is scarce. Wide receiver might be the deepest position group in this draft class. This isn’t the best time for the Chiefs to be without their second-round pick (surrendered to San Francisco as compensation for Alex Smith).
I don’t have 22 years of front office experience like general manager John Dorsey, but I think Kansas City should consider trading back to obtain additional picks. Having limited salary cap resources is one such reason. A cap increase to the $132 million dollar range is expected, but the Chiefs have a quarterback to extend and two or three players to re-sign. A top heavy draft at key positions like free safety, where Kansas City has a need, is another. Given the first-round talent likely to be available over the bottom-third of the round, there could be interest in the 23rd overall pick.
The Chiefs need two or three players to come in from this draft class and contribute right away. Dorsey improves his chances of that happening by having access to as many NFL-ready prospects as possible. Over the past several years, Kansas City’s gotten the biggest year one contributions from players drafted in the top three rounds. As of right now, the team only figures to snare 2 of the top 100 players in the draft (23rd and 87th overall).
The last time the franchise traded back in the opening round was in 2011. The Chiefs originally had the 21st overall pick. They swapped spots with the Cleveland Browns and eventually took Jon Baldwin with the 26th overall pick. The trade netted them the 70th overall pick and two-time Pro Bowler Justin Houston. A move to, say, 28th or 29th overall would secure another late third-round draft pick for Kansas City.
According to the draft value chart, the 23rd overall pick is worth 760 points. In the event that Kansas City swung a draft day trade with New England (sitting at 29th overall), they would receive the Pats’ round one selection worth 640 points plus their round three choice (93rd overall) worth 125 points. The Chiefs would then own the 23rd, 87th, and 93rd overall picks.
Here are notable R3 players the Chiefs might consider drafting:
- Donte Moncrief, WR, Mississippi
- Marcus Smith, DE/OLB, Louisville
- Jeremiah Attaochu, OLB, Georgia Tech
- Keith McGill, CB, Utah
- Chris Smith, DE/OLB, Arkansas
- Demarcus Lawrence, DE/OLB, Boise State
- Marcus Roberson, CB, Florida
- C.J. Fiedorowicz, TE, Iowa
- Dion Bailey, S, Southern California
- Yawin Smallwood, ILB, Connecticut
Let’s say the Chiefs made the aforementioned trade and took DE Stephon Tuitt (Notre Dame) with the 29th overall pick. It’s possible they’d also come away with two players from the list above. That’s an early-draft haul of three players who could all compete for either a starting role or significant playing time in their rookie campaigns.
Here’s what head coach Andy Reid had to say about free agency in a Combine presser last week:
"I’m not a big free agency guy. It wasn’t our M.O. (in Philadelphia). My thought on that hasn’t changed. I’m lucky enough to be with John. That’s his feeling. I think you kind of plug things here or there, but if you think you’re going to make a team out of free agency, I don’t think that necessarily works."
If the front office is going to toe that line Reid’s partner-in-crime (John Dorsey) needs to take a trade into strong consideration on draft day. Unlike last year, he’ll have ample time to work the phones. Kansas City won’t go on the clock until about 10:30pm (Arrowhead Time). Depending on how the first 22 picks fall Dorsey may even get a few inbound calls.
What say you, Addicts? Should John Dorsey trade back and add more picks or stand pat at 23? Will the Chiefs potentially miss out on a starting-caliber player if the move down five or six spots on the draft board? Are there players on the roster who might also help sweeten a draft day trade deal? Use the comment section below to chime in on the topic. As always, we appreciate your readership and support.
Until next time, Addicts!