AAMA: Free Safety, Offensive Line, And Aldon Smith

September 22, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker

(99) stands at the line of scrimmage during the fourth quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Candlestick Park. The Colts defeated the 49ers 27-7. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

A week from today we will be prepping for the first day of the NFL draft, and finally we’ll be done with the speculative debate about who the Chiefs draft.

It is going to be really interesting to see how the Chiefs attack the draft and if they are able to add some more picks. The key for the Chiefs will be to add depth to the roster and select a few prospects who can fill the impact void the Chiefs are going to have soon when Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali leave. Do those two things and this draft will be successful.

Speaking of impact players…

Weston speaks of Aldon Smith, the embattled outside linebacker who has three legal cases pending against him.

We actually discussed the possibility of Smith over the weekend but not in depth. The key here is whether Aldon is allowed to walk after the season. The 49ers have yet to make a decision on picking up Smith’s option year for 2015, which means Smith could be a free agent as soon as next March.

Trading for Smith is not going to happen, not with the way John Dorsey likes to hoard draft picks. The Alex Smith trade was an outlier to Dorsey’s ultimate roster building plan, not the norm, and Kansas City fans should be pleased with that philosophy. Waiting for him to hit the free agent market makes more sense for the Chiefs.

There are a few things to consider about Aldon Smith in Kansas City:

First, he’s from here, and has family in the area. Kansas City would not just represent a fresh start but a return to a base where he would have a support group to help him through his issues. Comfort and security is a big part of overcoming some of the psychological problems he’s dealing with at the moment.

Second, Andy Reid has a history of giving guys second chances. Michael Vick is the highest profile situation he’s had to deal with in his career, and he seemed to get along fine with DeSean Jackson. Having a coach who has been there before and has the stability to deal with Smith is a key thing to have on one’s side.

Third, Kansas City needs to add as much pass rushing ability has they can. A strong pass rush is the lifeblood of Bob Sutton’s defensive scheme. If the pass rush doesn’t exist, well the you have the second half the 2013 season defense. Retaining Justin Houston, adding Smith, and adding a few more pieces in the draft would go a long way for the Chiefs.

Assuming he’s made available in free agency, the Chiefs should absolutely go after him.

It makes sense why Dorsey is so high on Commings as the free safety for the Chiefs. He has great speed – clocked at 4.41 at the combine – and is noted for his ability to play centerfield in the secondary. In fact, he was drafted as a centerfielder by the Arizona Diamondbacks before choosing to go to Georgia to play football.

His skills play well as a physical safety go can fly around the field and create turnovers. We discussed during the season how important was for the Chiefs’ secondary to be physical with teams like San Diego and Denver who were getting free releases at the line of scrimmage. Commings is a guy who can be that physical presence at the line and also be a one-deep safety.

The question with him is obviously going to be health. There’s little use having tons of tools but never seeing the field. If he can stay on the field then he can be a serious weapon for the Chiefs.

We need to remember that Husain Abdullah was completely out of the NFL during the 2012 season because of his decision to go on a religious pilgrimage. The last time he saw an NFL field in the regular season before week one in Jacksonville was November 27, 2011. That’s nearly 22 months between games.

By the end of last season he proved his worth to the Chiefs. He started the playoff game in Indianapolis, picking off two passes and proving to be one of the few defensive backs on the roster who could cover somebody. Abdullah was even named captain for that game.

Abduallah is quick in short areas and can make plays in space. He’s probably not a full-time starter option, but if he’s splitting time with Commings then the Chiefs are in good shape. Especially if Dorsey adds another safety to the mix via the draft.

None.

Andy Reid noted he likes versatile linemen who can play up and down the line of scrimmage. If the Chiefs decide to address the offensive line in the first round then it is more likely they’ll draft a tackle and potentially move him to guard.

Some guys KC may consider? Zack Martin, Morgan Moses, Ja’Waun James, Antonio Richardson, and Seantrel Henderson.

For the most part, I think the Chiefs feel like they have in-house options at right guard. They’ll still address the line in the draft, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the right guard solution is already on the roster.

VANCE WALKER JOKE OF THE WEEK

Have a good second half of the week everyone.