Locked on Chiefs: 2017 NFL Draft strategy taking shape
By Ryan Tracy
The Kansas City Chiefs and John Dorsey have made number of prerequisite moves in order to simplify their draft strategy.
Kansas City Chiefs fans are well aware of general manager John Dorsey’s tendency to draft a year in advance of need. Dorsey generally wants to draft the best player available… at a position of need anyway. This is the same base plan he used in drafting Chris Jones a year ago. He has made his task easier by solidifying several positions.
He re-signed Eric Berry and Daniel Sorensen to new contracts in order to keep the safety trio intact. He signed guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif to a new contract and saved several million as new contracts overtook it. By signing Bennie Logan to a single year contract, he’s bought the team time.
He can now concentrate on core positions to upgrade for 2017 and 2018 by drafting the best player available for those spots. On offense, a long-term option at quarterback and a strengthened offensive line would be options. Both Zach Fulton and Mike Person will be free agents in 2018, and Alex Smith is Alex Smith. On the defensive side, inside linebacker, cornerback and edge rusher all present options for the top four picks in this year’s draft. Phillip Gaines, Terrence Mitchell (RFA) and Kenneth Acker will be free agents in 2018 and Derrick Johnson’s injury is a question mark. Dee Ford will likely get a 5th-year option, but it’s not guaranteed.
At this point, strategies are narrowing down to these positions with a good the best player to fit the longer-term needs of the organization.
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