Terez Paylor Talks NFL Draft With Daniel Jeremiah
By Ben Nielsen
Dec 24, 2013; Honolulu, HI, USA; Oregon State Beavers wide receiver Brandin Cooks (7) celebrates with teammates after a touchdown against the Boise State Broncos in the 1st quarter of the 2013 Hawaii Bowl at Aloha Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marco Garcia-USA TODAY Sports
Terez A. Paylor has another must-read piece on the upcoming NFL draft that features a few comments from Andy Reid‘s former scout Daniel Jeremiah. Jeremiah provides some interesting insight into what Reid may be communicating to John Dorsey on draft day.
"“He wholeheartedly believes in explosive plays and explosive players, and that’s why I talk about getting a receiver that can really stretch the field and get you some of those chunk plays,” Jeremiah said. “And on the defensive side of the ball, (he wants) guys that can take the football away, guys that can get it to the quarterback.”"
This quote would seem to indicate to me the Chiefs may go pass rusher in the first round if a good one is still available to them. The depth of this draft is wide receiver, and receivers with explosive speed and size combinations are going to be available to the Chiefs in almost every round. This isn’t quite the case for defensive playmakers, especially pass rushers.
I do understand where Jeremiah and “Team Wide Receiver” are coming from when it comes to taking a Brandin Cooks or Odell Beckham Jr. in the first round. Paylor’s piece confirms value of those types of wide receivers to Reid’s offense. The issue I have with taking a receiver in the first round is more about value than it is fit. The talent difference between HaHa Clinton-Dix and Cooks is probably the same, but Clinton-Dix value in the draft is higher because there are not a lot of safeties available in this year’s draft.
What do you think? Does this seem to indicate the Chiefs will go wide receiver or does this open the door for some other avenues?