The Kansas City Chiefs have been often criticized by fans throughout the John Dorsey era for lacking star power in drafts. While Dorsey has been able to hit on Travis Kelce, Knile Davis, De’Anthony Thomas, Phillip Gaines and more, he has also endured underwhelming first-round picks in Eric Fisher and Dee Ford.
However, 2015 appears different. Dorsey’s first two picks were cornerback Marcus Peters and center Mitch Morse, and both are getting plenty of praise. In fact, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., the renowned draft analyst, ranks both of them among his top three rookies thus far. Peters comes in at the head of the class, with Morse checking in third.
Here is what Kiper had to say about each of the rookies, per the piece:
"Heading into the draft, I wrote “On tape alone, he has an argument as the top cornerback in the class.” Peters looks like it so far. He has an interception in each of his first two games, including a pick-six against Peyton Manning in Week 2. So far, so good."
And then Morse…
"I knew the Chiefs were interested in Morse going into the draft, but I can tell you they had him rated a lot higher than I did. This is a case of them seeing a perfect fit, and Morse has looked the part of a veteran through two games."
The second spot when to Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota. These are the kinds of draft classes that sustain excellence for a decade. Peters and Morse are both on relatively cheap contracts and will remain that way for years to come (Peters is on a five-year deal, Morse a four-year pact). Kansas City was able to nab Peters because of off-the-field concerns, while almost everyone felt Morse was a major reach.
If both of these kids can continue to learn and mature, the Chiefs hit the proverbial jackpot.