The 2007 NFL Draft was a wild ride for both the Kansas City Chiefs and the franchise’s fans. To see this, look no further than our Final Mock Draft, Live Draft Diary and Second-Day Shopping List. We had a good idea how the draft would play out, more so as it started unfolding, but there were definitely some surprises along the way.
First off, “King” Carl Peterson wasn’t able to unload Trent Green. Both the Chiefs and the Miami Dolphins didn’t waver, which was the right thing to do on both accounts. I didn’t penalize King Carl’s overall draft grade for that, however, due to the fact that Green and Herm Edwards put him in a difficult position. When all 31 other teams knew that Brodie Croyle is our guy at QB, and that Green will only restructure his contract for the Phins, what could Peterson possibly do?
I also didn’t punish King Carl too harshly for not picking a cornerback, guard or quarterback, either. Sometimes when you draft later in the order you have to take what falls to you. I see these draft omissions more as ringing endorsements for some of our current players — guys like Croyle, Law, McIntosh, Surtain, Terry and Welbourn — than as oversights on the part of VP Bill Kuharich, Herm and Peterson.
Pick by pick, this is my analysis of King Carl and the Chiefs’ 2007 draft class:
WR Dwayne Bowe, LSU (23rd pick)
I really wanted Harrell, Jarrett or Revis before the draft started. Harrell and Revis were both long off the board by our pick, and teams obviously thought that Jarrett is too slow to be a difference maker in the pros, judging by his draft freefall. That leaves Dwayne Bowe. As you know, I don’t like Staley. And I don’t like Meachem. I keep reading about how much faster Meachem is than Bowe, but he’s only actually like a 10th of a second or so faster. Meachem’s smaller, weaker, not nearly as good of a blocker, not a possession type, not as willing to go across the middle, not as physical after the catch, not as intense, not nearly as proven, etc… I could probably go on all day. Some people think that Meachem is a better prospect simply because he ran a barely faster 40. Not me. Bowe will be the better player and is a much better fit for Herm’s ball-control offense.
Dwayne Bowe will be a physical receiver that plays a lot like Anquan Boldin. He will likely end up being the best receiver the Chiefs have had in my entire lifetime, and I’m pushing 30. Picking the best player available, who also fills a position of need, warrants…
The Grade: A
DT/DE Turk McBride, Tennessee (54th) & DT Tank Tyler, N.C. State (82nd)
I grouped these two together because they are part of the same plan to get Jared Allen and Tamba Hali some much needed help in the middle. Turk McBride will play all over the D-line. He will likely start opposite Hali during Allen’s suspension. When Jared returns, expect to see McBride move back to playing all over the line, especially inside on passing downs. He will also rotate in with the ends to keep them fresh. McBride reminds me of Tamba quite a bit, really.
Tank Tyler is a 323 lb. monster that might have gone as early as the late first if it weren’t for some character issues. His Combine best bench press of 225 lbs. 42 times shows the kind of strength he possesses. Will start at DT from day one if he stays out of trouble and works hard this offseason. Could be a run-clogging, disrupting force in the middle for years to come.
Together, these two will help transform our defensive line from a weakness into a strength. They will allow the defense to force more of both three-and-out possessions and turnovers, giving our ball-control offense the chance to do its thing.
The Grade: B+
RB/FB Kolby Smith, Louisville (148th)
Smith likely will never be a featured back, but he could become a more elusive T-Rich. I don’t know that he will ever block quite as good as Richardson did, but don’t count out his ability to play both fullback and third-down back. At Louisville, he started for two years at fullback before taking over at halfback for the injured Michael Bush.
Kolby Smith is a solid player that was on my short list (like all of our first four picks). He brings a lot of versatility to the Chiefs offense and continues to prove that there indeed was a theme to this Chiefs’ draft — ball control.
The Grade: B-
K Justin Medlock, UCLA (160th)
A 2006 First-Team All-American who was also the most-accurate kicker in college football last season. After Tynes shanked that PAT in the playoffs, do I even really need to discuss this pick?
Justin Medlock will be our starting kicker next season. He will be accurate, helping to generate points and leads, allowing us to, yep, control the clock with our ball-control offense.
The Grade: A-
OT Herb Taylor, TCU (196th)
He started four years in a row at right tackle, is 6’4″ and 285 lbs., yet all I hear is that people think we’ll eventually move him to center or guard. Why? In light of the Chris Terry situation, we clearly drafted him to be a RT. I’m also not buying that his biggest problem will be bulking up. His new job will be bulking up. No classes, no study hall, just working out and putting on the pounds. He’ll be fine.
Herb Taylor might turn into a fine player down the road, but don’t expect Walter Jones next season. I liked other guys on the board better, but he might work out. We’ll see.
The Grade: C
TE Michael Allan, Whitworth (D-III) (231st)
In a Dolphins’ article I wrote not too long ago, I predicted that Allan would be a steal if he went in the fifth or sixth round. In the seventh, King Carl and his court just couldn’t resist. All I keep reading from both fans and the media is that we now have four tight ends. No, not really.
Kris Wilson is more of an H-back at this point in his career. Jason Dunn is essentially a third OT when he rumbles onto the field, and is actually healthy. Tony Gonzalez is definitely a receiving tight end, though. So we now actually only have two or three TEs, depending on what we do with Wilson. I expect him to stay at H-back, because I’m not betting on Grigsby or Smith being able to handle the fullback position full-time next season.
Michael Allan’s unique blend of size and speed could make him one of the late-round gems of this draft class. Along with Bowe, Eddie Kennison, Kris Wilson, Larry Johnson and Tony G, Allan gives us yet another high-quality Red Zone option. I expect for him to see some time next year in certain situations. He will certainly help us do what we do, ball control, and could eventually replace Gonzo. If TE was a more pressing need, the grade would be better…
The Grade: B-
Overall
Even though Trent Green wasn’t moved and several needs/wants weren’t completely addressed, this was a better-than-average draft for King Carl and the Chiefs. With the exception of Taylor, it looks like the Chiefs snagged the best player on the team’s big draft board with each pick. Furthermore, every player in this draft will help the Chiefs continue to build an identity as an intimidating ball-control football team. All these guys, except maybe Medlock, possess the Hermtangibles I rant about so often. They are “football players,” and, no, not the kind who just put on their pads and do their job. The kind that live and die to put on their pads and would play this game for free. Two solid draft classes in a row!
King Carl’s Overall Grade: B
2007 Kansas City Royals tickets — all games available!
Add us as a preferred source on Google