Merlin’s Chiefs Mock Version 3.0
By merlin
Addicts, we are in the home stretch of the run-up to the draft. The compensatory picks have been announced. The Kansas City Chiefs gained a 6th round pick for losing Wade Smith. This is the first time Adam and I have mocked the Chiefs using the finalized draft order. Also, we get to extend a warm re-welcome to Andrew (off my rocker) Crocker. Andrew joins the draft nuts on draft Thursday. This is his first shot at a mock draft using the rules Adam and I have been following. So, let’s review the rules. The big board on Draft Tek is the official board to make picks from. You can go up five positions from your draft position. For example, The Chiefs first round pick is #21. So, players from #16 and down are eligible to be selected. You are free to go down as far as you want to select a player. Feel free to reach down to #30 (as an example) for pick #21. We are going to assume reports are true that we traded our sixth round pick and Alex Magee for Tampa Bay’s fifth round selection (#132). Also, the Chiefs swapped fifth round picks with the Lions as a result of the tampering decision. The Chiefs, in effect, traded pick #151 for pick #136. Now on to the selections.
Round 1, Pick 21 Derek Sherrod OT Mississippi State 6′ 5” 321 lbs
Why go away from the three primary needs of C, WR, NT? Value. Sherrod could step in and start at right tackle as a rookie. If he does well, he can move to left tackle, pushing Brandon Albert inside to guard. According to the draft rules, I could have taken Tyron Smith the OT from USC. He would be an excellent choice, but realistically, he should be gone before the Chiefs pick. Sherrod hits the Pioli evaluation points very well. He performed at a high level for several years in the elite SEC conference. Leadership? Yes, he is one of those team captains Pioli loved last year. He is well schooled, but could use some more lower body strength and a bit of a mean streak. Sherrod is a very athletic tackle that will do well in a zone blocking scheme.
Round 2, Pick 55 Jerrell Powe NT Mississippi 6′ 2” 335 lbs
The Sherrod selection does create it’s problems. Mainly, all three primary needs (C, WR, NT) still need to be filled. Hard choices need to be made. Center is a very possible choice here. Both Bradon Fusco and Jake Kirkpatrick are still on the board. Nose Tackle is a very hard position to fill and the Chiefs have gone on long enough without a 320+ lbs body there to anchor the defense. Why Powe and not take Phil Taylor in round one? Taylor came on in his senior season and has shined in the Senior Bowl and Combine. Powe has a longer track record and has that team captain leadership traits Pioli loves. Powe would have been a first round pick if he came out last year. Instead, he returned to Ole Miss. Lost weight and tried to be a penetrating DT. He isn’t that. What he does well is play the NT spot, commanding double teams and pushing the pocket. He does have some academic trouble in his past, but the Chiefs may overlook that and grab a very good NT prospect from the elite SEC conference.
Round 3, Pick 86 John Moffitt C/G Wisconsin 6′ 5” 323 lbs
One approach in building a team is to look at the team that dominates your division and build your team to beat them. The team to beat in the AFC West is still the San Diego Chargers. The Chargers run a 3-4 defense and picking a center that is big enough and strong enough to take on a NT is very important. That is why I wanted Maurkice Pouncey last year and why I love John Moffit this year. Moffit has the strength and size to take on NFL nose tackles. Plus, he is athletic enough and well schooled enough to function well as a center in a zone blocking scheme. An offensive line of Albert, Waters, Moffitt, Lilja and Sherrodd is a line that can keep Cassel upright, give him time to throw plus open lanes for Charles and whoever carries the rock.
Round 4, Pick 118 Terrance Toliver LSU 6′ 4” 212 lbs
This is where the five pick reach up just kills. I would love Jerrel Jernigan, the speedster from Troy here. I miss out on him by a single slot. Realistic mocks means not getting everything you want. If the Chiefs first three picks go along the lines I mock here, don’t be shocked to see Pioli package this pick with another pick and move up a few slots to grab Jerrel Jernigan. I can’t do that here. So, I will grab a solid WR prospect. Toliver has a nice combination of size and speed, but lacks explosion off the line.
Round 5, Pick 135 Bilal Powell RB Louisville 5′ 11” 207 lbs
This is where things get very interesting. Ideally, I would love Ricky Stanzi (QB Iowa) or a fullback like Owen Marecic here. However, both players are too high on the draft board. Powell didn’t get a lot of starts until his senior year. When he got a chance to start, he made the most of it, rushing for 1259 yards on only 211 carries. He has a great short area burst, is hard to tackle and runs with an attitude. He is a patient runner, well suited for a zone blocking scheme. The Chiefs need an heir apparent for Thomas Jones and Powell is your man. He needs to overcome questions about his ball security and medical issues (a knee injury).
Round 5, Pick 140 Greg Salas WR Hawaii 6′ 1” 210 lbs
Salas is a very versatile receiver from a high pass production offense in Hawaii. He brings a lot to the table. He is smart, runs routes well, has good hands and is reliable. What he lacks is top end speed. However, his brains and ability makes him a very nice round five prospect. By taking Toliver and Salas, the hope is to hit on one of these draftees.
Round 6, Pick 199 Justin Rodgers CB Richmond 5′ 11” 180 lbs
Rodgers is a bit on the small side, but don’t let that fool you. This guy is tough. He is fairly well polished as a zone corner who supports the run well. He is in the sixth round because he seems to lack the speed to play man. He needs a bit more added size and strength. If he can bulk up a bit more, increase his speed a quickness a bit and refine his technique, he could be a steal.
Round 7, Pick 223 Cecil Shorts III WR Mount Union 6′ 0” 205 lbs
I have had my eye on Shorts for a long time, but the mock never fell in a way where he was a viable value pick. Sitting here in round seven, Shorts is finally mocked to the Chiefs. Shorts comes out of division three where he tore things up. He has great hands and runs good routes. His speed has been questioned, as has his level of competition. I don’t care that the I have already taken Young and Salas, Shorts is too much value in round seven to pass up. The Chiefs are very thin at wr and Shorts comes in to compete.