K.C. Chiefs 2014 Draft: That’s What The Mock Says
By Laddie Morse
A. OT Antonio “Tiny” Richardson, 6-6, 330, Tennessee
B. TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, 6-6, 266, Washington
C. FS Ha’Sean Clinton Dix, 6-1, 208, Alabama
The NFL is running their own version of monster.com tryouts… specifically as it relates to top quality offensive linemen (monster.com is a top job-search web site). The really good one’s appear to be in the shortest supply of all positions across the NFL horizon. Yes, 3 of the top 4… and 6 of the top 20… players selected in the 2013 NFL draft were Offensive Tackles. However, with injuries being what they have been across the league as well as the influx of top athletes defecting to the defensive side of the ball, offensive linemen are rare finds, in short supply and in top demand.
Antonio “Tiny” Richardson looks to make an impact at the NFL level next year. This is the huge and athletic kind of big man both GM John Dorsey and HC Andy Reid cherish. In interviews he comes across highly intelligent and is a natural leader among his peers. His weight room measurables are already strong: 460 pounds in the bench press, 535 or 540 in the squat, 33 reps of 225 pounds in the bench press and he only looks to improve with an excellent attitude, work ethic and positive locker room presence. SBNation had this to say about Richardson,
"Richardson possesses the ideal frame to play left tackle in the NFL… Richardson has the ability to dominate defensive linemen with advanced hand use and his brute strength. On a few occasions against South Carolina’s Jadeveon Clowney, Richardson showed off his strength and proper hand use to completely manhandle him."
Although Antonio Richardson’s tough and competitive nature is evident on the field, it is in interviews that I notice he’s a gifted speaker, articulate and poised… and it’s these qualities that would help to make him an instant fit on any team. The Chiefs need to get tougher and better across the offensive front. “Tiny” could improve the offensive line in a “Giant” way.
I watched the Berry-Houston Bowl on Saturday (that would be Georgia @ Tennessee) and several players stood out.
1. Tennessee LT Tiny Richardson looked like the real deal at LT. Late in the game he began to lean forward a bit to block the DE but, that’s understandable and more importantly fixable. He needs to keep his back straight throughout the game and punch-with-hands & slide-with-his-feet then stay away from getting locked up with the DE. Otherwise, his feet are quick and fluid and is a huge obstruction to navigate around. Although there is something about the way he moves that makes me think he’d be a great Guard. Perhaps it’s that he reminds me of the Cowboys ex-G/T Larry Allen.
2. Georgia QB Aaron Murray is a good QB. In fact he has a wow factor and throws his timing routes getting the ball out and half way there before the receiver ever makes his break. He’s going to be a good one. Yes, he shows too much frustration (it was a close game) and needs to be careful not to alienate his teammates with his passion which is usually a positive. Murray doesn’t have the same talented targets he’s had in recent years so when rating his performances one must take that into consideration but he showed a side we haven’t seen before — he had a 60 yards run. Kinda reminded me of Alex Smith.
3. Tennessee ILB A.J. Johnson looks excellent. If he is available in the second round he’d be a good pickup for the Chiefs.
While big linemen are the “gold stock” in the marketplace which no team should be passing on, the Chiefs don’t look to pass on top level talent either and that would include the top TE in this draft, especially if he fell in their lap. Even though the Chiefs chose TE Travis Kelce last year with their first 3rd round pick, it’s hard to see them passing on TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, a 6-6, 266 pound future NFL superstar.
I hope you have time to take a peek at this video of Seferian-Jenkins and tell me if you don’t see an Aaron Hernandez in a bigger body, supremely talented AND without the off field complications (although he had a DUI in the spring and had to miss the first game of this season, so far no one thinks he’s going to murder one of his friends). His head coach Steve Sarkisian says, “He’s a good kid who made a bad decision … he’s learned from it.”
On the field, it makes me laugh out loud when Washington throws Seferian-Jenkins screen passes: this big man with the magnet hands and the deftly nimble feet. They also feel comfortable throwing corner fades his way as well as routes over the middle that seem to punish defensive backs who have to tackle him and it often takes three of them fellas to bring him down.
It should be noted that Seferian-Jenkins is a two-sport star and also plays baseball. However, football appears to be his sport and after only two seasons he already holds school records for catches (120), receiving yards (1,481) and touchdowns (15) for a tight end (numbers taken prior to Saturday’s game). If, by chance, Bill Belichick and the Patriots jump up and select this multi-talented TE before the Chiefs do, it’ll be worthy of a draft day El Kabong Fest where me and all my friends get out our cartoon guitars and continue to bash each other over the head repeatedly – El Kabong style (special thanks to Quick Draw McGraw). Like most TEs entering the league, he’ll have to gain a little muscle mass and work on his blocking techniques, however, he clearly has the frame to make it happen. Everything else, he does supremely well and you’ll delight at his cirque-de-soleil body contortions prior to his suctioning the ball.
Since Eric Berry came to town Chiefs fans have been dreaming of having a “pair” of Safeties who could rule the NFL defensive backfields together for a decade and… Ha’Sean Clinton-Dix from Alabama could be the pepper to Berry’s salt. The Chiefs may have plans for Sanders Commings who has been hurt since the first of training camp but, Clinton-Dix is long on experience specifically at the FS position with ball hawk skills that will allow Mr. Berry to do what Mr. Berry does best: play the anti-ballistic-missile role.
Off season team conversations, as well as in-season this year, are filled with how the team can win the division. Since the Chiefs are one of three teams in the league stuck with the “Peyton-fection,” an increasing number of these team discussion will be directed towards locating and procuring his anti-toxin. While FS Ha’Sean Clinton-Dix would be an excellent choice I am also very fond of Jason Verrett, the 5’10”, 182 pound CB from TCU. If you get to spend any time watching him play, it is a joy. He’s textbook and instinctive. Not only would I be thrilled to see him become a Chief but I’d deem it a big step towards ridding the league of a great plague.
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