NFL Draft Scout Breaks Down Chiefs Draft Needs
By Ben Nielsen
Dec 29, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Eric Fisher (72) prior to the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
NFL Draft Scout has chimed in with their evaluation of the Chiefs’ offseason to date and what they should do in the draft. There are a few interesting tidbits to note so let’s get moving.
Eric Fisher disappointed in his rookie, according to Rob Rang, which comes as zero surprise. He’s not a bust – at least not yet – but next season is quite obviously a huge one for him. Here’s the small blip on Fisher.
"Frankly, Fisher disappointed as a rookie, missing a handful of games to injury and struggling with the jump in power from the MAC to the NFL. A full offseason in an NFL conditioning program should make him better equipped to handle the league’s physicality and he’ll be moving back to left tackle, where he starred at Central Michigan."
The second note on draft needs is an interesting one to consider. Of the five positions named, two of them were on the offensive line. This includes both guard and tackle. One wonders if the idea draft for the Chiefs includes two offensive linemen, two wide receivers, and one each of defensive back and defensive lineman.
A draft going in this direction would make a lot of sense, but it would probably require the first round pick to be defensive lineman because of the lack of depth at the position in this particular draft. How would that play out in Chiefs Kingdom? Many seem set on taking a receiver in the first round. But with the wide receiver depth may be enough to delay until day three.
Finally, Rang gives five prospects the Chiefs should target and the list isn’t too surprising. Brandin Cooks is the wide receiver Rang believes is the best fit for the Chiefs, and I would agree. More interesting is he lists tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins as one of his five targets. It would not be stunning to me if the Chiefs went the tight end route to fix their receiver woes. This may especially be the case of Cooks is taken before pick number 23.
Ultimately the evaluation seems to fit what we’ve been saying so far during the offseason: Kansas City needs playmakers on offense, depth along both lines, and a piece in the secondary. I’m ready to see how John Dorsey attacks these issues in the draft.