If Not Him, Then Who? Kansas City Chiefs Draft 2013 Edition
Apr 25, 2013; New York, NY, USA; Eric Fisher (Central Michigan) is introduced as the number one overall pick to the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL Draft is one of the greatest events for any football fanatic. It is a great event to prove you’re a better General Manager than the one employed by your favorite team. It’s easy to yell at your television set about whom they just took or why they didn’t grab your guy. Soren Petro, host of the Program on Sports Radio 810 WHB, this week talked about an exercise he does every draft. He writes down whom he would have taken with each selection. No trades, just in the given draft order and tracks them for progress It gave me the idea for my column this week to do the same. If not him, then who? Before I tackled this task, I thought that it would be pretty simple since I feel I have a pretty good grasp on the football world. Wait, one-minute football friends: it’s not as easy as it may seem. All us Arm-Chair GM’s may want to try this exercise before we crown ourselves the next GM in waiting. Take a look at mine and let the debate begin Addicts!
1st Round
1st Pick – Eric Fisher – T – Central Michigan
Opinion – I really couldn’t argue with the Fisher pick. I was originally all in for Luke Joeckel but understand the potential in Fisher. I personally would have taken Joeckel because of his college competition (apparently the SEC is pretty good, haven’t heard much about them) and his being seen as a more proven commodity. That being said, I really like the Fisher pick and don’t think either one of these guys would have been a bad choice. The ceiling on Fisher is supposed to be higher where as Joeckel is more ready at the moment. After listening to Fisher talk after the draft I did gain a lot of respect and perspective on the man and think he will fit in exceptionally well in KC.
3rd Round
63rd Pick – Travis Kelce – TE – Cincinnati
Opinion – I was pretty surprised we drafted a tight end, considering we have Tony Moeaki already and just signed Anthony Fasano. The scouting report on Kelce is intriguing. The NFL.com profile compares him to Rob Gronkowski. That was not a typo: Kelce was compared to the Gronk. He has had off-field problems, but has been a solid run blocker who became a bigger receiving weapon this past year. This gives us three legit tight ends. This also says to me that the new regime is not too sold on Moeaki. I would have taken Matt Barkley, quarterback from USC who fell to the Philadelphia Eagles in the early 4th round. I thought having Barkley sit behind Alex Smith and Chase Daniels for a few years learning from Reid and company could really be a phenomenal grab in the third round. (Mind you, this is before we knew we could sign Tyler Bray undrafted, which makes me feel better now.) I do think the Kelce pick could be a great pick up. Who knows, we may see the multiple tight end sets in KC this next season.
96th Pick – Knile Davis – RB – Arkansas
Opinion – I wasn’t sold on the Knile Davis pick just because of his injury history, losing an entire collegian season while at Arkansas. Once seen as a promising runner, Davis has battled injuries in every season for the Razorbacks. He also has had a history of bad ball security. He did have one of the better combine workouts, which was probably the key to the Chiefs taking him here. If running back was the key need here and injuries didn’t scare you away, I would have went with Marcus Lattimore from South Carolina who later went to the Niners in the 4th round. Lattimore compares to Arian Foster, a very balanced back. The key issue with Lattimore is his knee injuries. The other option I was strongly pushing was taking WR Chris Harper from Kansas State with this pick. Harper was taken in the 4th round at 123rd by the Seattle Seahawks. I think the fit of Harper to play the 3rd or 4th receiver spot would have been great for the Chiefs’ offense. Harper is a great position receiver, something that has never really materialized from Jonathan Baldwin. He would have created a perfect balance between Dwayne Bowe and newly acquired burner Donnie Avery.
4th Round
99th Pick – Nico Johnson – LB – Alabama
Opinion – I love the pick of Nico Johnson in this round. The Chiefs needed to find a linebacker ready to step in and play inside LB alongside Derrick Johnson. NJ (you know he’ll be called that) will complement DJ perfectly in the 3-4 scheme. Nico is known as a strong run defender and assignment-sure backer per NFL.com’s scouting report. This allows DJ to continue to be the playmaker he has grown into the past few seasons. Johnson & Johnson (that one will also be used) should thrive.
5th Round
134th Pick – Sanders Commings – CB – Georgia
Opinion – I like the pick of Commings the more and more I look into it. His biggest red flag is an off-the-field incident he had at the beginning of 2012. I think this may have dropped him a few rounds. The scouting report on Commings says he doesn’t have ideal footwork, but his size and ability are great. He may be able to work on this, making him a steal in the fifth round. Hopefully his off-the-field problems are behind him as well. One player I would have considered as well here is Iowa State linebacker A.J. Klein. who went 14 picks later to the Carolina Panthers. I loved Klein in college, where he was a solid leader and tackle machine. He could have added great depth to the positive and be a monster on special teams. His knock was his speed, but his instincts should help that deficiency.
6th Round
170th Pick – Eric Kush – C – California (PA)
Opinion – The Chiefs needed an insurance plan if Rodney Hudson isn’t completely healed from last season’s leg injury. They got one in small school stud Eric Kush. Even if Hudson is healthy, they needed depth at the position I really like the Kush pick. Kush has great foot speed and excellent reaching ability for a center. Lance Zierlein from thesidelineview.com had him rated as the 3rd best center in the draft and projected him in the 4th round. Great value at the 6th round and really wouldn’t change anything about this pick as well.
204th Pick – Braden Wilson – FB – Kansas State
Opinion – Andy Reid was quoted saying he thought Wilson was the best blocking fullback in this draft. He justified that comment by making Wilson his second sixth round pick this draft. All Wilson did was block for big time runners while at Kansas State. First, he blocked for now-Miami Dolphins back Daniel Thomas. Then he blocked for dual-threat Heisman Trophy finalist Collin Klein and his teammate John Hubert. Some thought Wilson’s ability could see him play some tight end or H-back in the NFL, but I think he will be used primary as a blocking back for Jamaal Charles. I really like this pick (FYI I am biased though because I am a K-State fan) and think Reid will utilize his skills well.
7th Round
207th Pick – Mike Catapano – DE – Princeton
Opinion – The Chiefs took Catapano, the 2012 Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year with their final pick in the draft. From what I hear, Catapano may play outside linebacker to back up Tamba Hali and has a similar motor. I would have really liked to take a chance on area guy David Bass from Missouri Western State, whom the Oakland Raiders grabbed later in the round. Everything I have heard about Bass was the man was a beast while in St. Joe. We will have to wait to see if Catapano can make me forget Bass is now a Raider.