Is John Dorsey As High On Brandin Cooks As We Are?

Sep 14, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Oregon State Beavers wide receiver Brandin Cooks (7) warms up prior to a game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Oregon State won 51-48 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Brandin Cooks has been the target of many who are looking for a wide receiver in the first round, citing his fit within Andy Reid’s scheme. These claims from the outside appear to be true. His speed, hands, route running, and ability to create in space are all trademarks of wide receivers in Reid’s offense. So it isn’t a surprise Terez A. Paylor would select him in his latest version of the Kansas City Star’s mock draft. However, Paylor has a word of caution.

"Now, to be fair, I’m not sure Chiefs general manager John Dorsey would take a player of Cooks’ size in the first round — I’ve gotten the sense Dorsey prefers bigger players everywhere."

Continue to read and you’ll see some additional thoughts on Cooks as a fit for the Chiefs. What is key to note here is John Dorsey may not be sold on Cooks a fit for the kind of team they are trying to build. Speed is an important factor in Reid’s scheme, but it is not just about speed alone. Dorsey needs to find players who are both fast and physical. Is Cooks physical enough? Is durability a concern at the next level. These may be questions Dorsey is pondering with Cooks.

Good news here, as Paylor points out later in the post, is the Chiefs have multiple needs along the roster. Additionally the Chiefs need to add a dynamic player to the mix, no matter what position said player occupies. Another excellent pass rusher? Works.

A defensive back with the ability to create turnovers? I’m in.

A tight end who is a red zone weapon and draws coverage away from wide receivers and Jamaal Charles? Make it happen. All of these would be just as valuable as adding a Cooks or an Odell Beckham Jr.

There is reason to believe an excellent tight end, pass rusher, or defensive back will be available to the Chiefs at 23. With so many areas the Chiefs would like to improve upon, hopefully one player will fall that fits what the Chiefs are looking for. If there is one saving grace for the Chiefs, the need to move up in the draft to fill a key need is unnecessary, which is good considering their lack of draft picks.

Now hopefully Teddy Bridgewater won’t fall to make things even more complicating.