The early reviews for the Chiefs 2010 draft were mixed. Some fans were unhappy that positions like nose tackle and linebacker were ignored while positions like nickel corner and slot receiver were filled.While there are still concerns about the front seven, it would be hard to argue that the Chiefs didn’t get incredible value with this draft class.
Generally teams hope to get immediate production out of their first and second round picks. Guys taken after the second round aren’t usually expected to make big impacts right away. There are exceptions of course, depending on the position the player plays. Yet, as training camp has gone on, it appears the Chiefs may get major contributions from…well…ALL of their draft picks.
Eric Berry is going to be the team’s starting safety. The reports out of camp are that Berry is as advertised and could make a push for defensive rookie of the year.
Dexter McCluster is going to fill the role of slot receiver/running back utility man. Hardly has a day gone by where McCluster didn’t blow fan’s away with a highlight worthy play at training camp. There are whispers that if given the touches, he could be explosive enough to seize offensive rookie of the year honors.
Tony Moeaki, when healthy, is an obvious threat in the passing game and will most likely unseat Leonard Pope by the end of the season.
Kendrick Lewis, a fifth round pick, has been consistently improving and is making a very strong push to start at safety opposite Eric Berry.
Jon Asamoah is proving valuable because he can play both guard and center. Right now he is backing up Ryan Lilja but he provides tremendous depth at a position that is more than likely to see a few players go down to injury this season. Asamoah will see the field.
Javier Arenas has already proven that he is going to be a force in the return game and now there are whispers that he could push Brandon Carr for the other starting CB position opposite Brandon Flowers.
Cameron Sheffield, who was figured by most to be more of a developmental pick at OLB is already exceeding expectations and just yesterday, he took some snaps in the nickel defense with the first team. He could be a key piece for the Chiefs pass rush.
The last time the Chiefs had a draft class with this much buzz was when Herm Edwards and Carl Peterson picked new Chiefs in 2008. Branden Albert, Glenn Dorsey, Brandon Flowers, Brandon Carr and Jamaal Charles all came out of that class. So did Brad Cottam and backup offensive lineman Barry Richardson.
Obviously the above mentioned guys are still very important parts of this team but it took a while for some of them to come on and even now, only Flowers and Charles appear to be on the verge of greatness. Albert, Dorsey and Carr are still developing. Cottam is injured and Richardson appears to have reached his ceiling.
There is no telling what the future may hold for this class but for now, they appear to be special. The Chiefs aren’t putting these guys on the field simply because they are trying to make themselves look good. Some of Pioli’s 2009 draft picks have hardly gotten their uniforms dirty. The 2010 rookies have earned their playing time.
Draft picks are usually expected to make an impact in the future but for the 2010 Chiefs, it looks like the future is now.