NFL Draft 2015: Combing over the Kansas City Chiefs’ draft, pick by pick
By Laddie Morse
For weeks prior to the draft everyone in my world knew that Thursday evening was the first day of Christmas. Consequently, Friday evening is New Year’s Eve, 4th of July and my birthday all rolled into one. So, let’s get to the gifts we’ve gotten to open so far!
CB Marcus Peters, 6-foot-0, 198 lbs, Washington
On Thursday evening, the Kansas City Chiefs selected CB Marcus Peters with the 18th pick in the 2015 draft. Recently I had panned Peters based upon a tape of him playing mostly zone, which he does very little of, but after watching all the tape I could get my hands on since Thursday evening, I’ve done the 180, the U-turn, the ole flip-flop, that’s right the George “read my lips, no new taxes” Bush.
Marcus Peters could be the second coming of Dale Carter. Now, I know what you’re thinking…you’re thinking about the “off-the-field” Dale Carter. Actually, it’s the on-field attitude and skill set that reminds me of Carter. And since I brought Carter up, Marcus Peters, along with Sean Smith, gives the Chiefs the potential to field the best corner combo in KC since Carter and James Hasty.
If you’re old enough to recall the days of Marty Schottenheimer and smash-mouth football, then you’ll know that “smash mouth” included the way the Chiefs played defense, especially bump and run on the corners. For the first time since that era, the Chiefs have the potential to employ a strategy at the edges of the defense, allowing the rush to use more players to put heat on the QB. In the age of the passing game, that likely means employing an extra DB on another receiver.
I’ve always been a huge fan of “two CBs” playing lockdown defense because it allows the defensive coordinator incredible flexibility with the rest of the defense.
Next: Onto the second round...