Would You Could You? Chiefs Fans P. II
By Laddie Morse
Could the Chiefs jump at the chance to draft WR Braxton Miller who’s played like a man among boys during the Senior Bowl this week.
Would you, could you… admit that the Chiefs haven’t made wide receiver enough of a priority in recent years?
When I look across the league it’s hard not to notice some of the better teams in the league who seem to have a wide receiving corp that is head and shoulders above and beyond that of the Chiefs.
Probably the best offense in the AFC, the Pittsburgh Steelers, have an amazing group.
Antonio Brown
Drafted in the 6th round of the 2010 draft. Probably the best wide receiver in the league.
Markus Wheaton
Drafted in the 3rd round of the 2013 draft.
Sammie Coates
Drafted in the 3rd round of the 2015 draft.
Darrius Heyward-Bey
Was drafted 7th overall in 2009 by the Raiders presumably for his top end speed. He’s a free agent on March 1st.
I’d rate both Wheaton and Coates ahead of the Chiefs Albert Wilson in potential. The point is, the Chiefs need to draft or sign a wide receiver who can provide quarterback Alex Smith another excellent option up the field and down the sideline.
One of the best collections of wideouts in the NFC is for the Arizona Cardinals.
John Brown
Drafted in the 3rd round of 2014. Had 1,003 yards this year.
Larry Fitzgerald
Drafted 3rd overall in the 2004 NFL draft. 1,215 yards in 2015.
Michael Floyd
13th overall pick in 2012. Had 849 yards in 2015..
J.J. Nelson
5th round pick in 2015.
While these two lists represent a couple of the better wide receiving corps, both of the Super Bowl teams clearly have a bunch of receivers that are superior to the Chiefs. The reason to bring that up here is that this appears to be the one area the team must improve in order to advance to the next level in the future.
Jeremy Maclin had 1,088 yards receiving in 2015 and all of the rest of the Chiefs receivers combined (not including tight ends) produced 909 yards receiving… or 179 yards less than Maclin, who didn’t play against the Steelers in week 7 because of a concussion. Obviously, when the opposition can shut down the Chiefs number one guy… or when he’s injured… their offense becomes one dimensional.
Some will argue that both Denver and Carolina have quarterbacks who make their receivers better. That may be but you only have to compare… the talent, the names, and the team’s investment… to realize the Chiefs offense needs help at this crucial position. Do you remember when John Elway needed a great running back like Terrell Davis to win a Super Bowl? Well, Alex Smith already has a T.D. in Jamaal Charles. Now, all he needs is a diverse and talented number of wideouts to throw to.
Do the Chiefs have a top notch defense? Check!
Do they have an excellent Special Teams group? Check!
Does K.C. have a top tier running game? Check!
Are the Chiefs good at quarterback? Check!
What’s left to fix? Yep, you got it… the wide receiving crew. Let this be the year that the Kansas City Chiefs leap forward… again… in the playoffs.
Would you, could you… accept that the Chiefs don’t need Jaye Howard or Mike DeVito in 2016?
If you’ve been watching tape on the 2016 draft prospects then it may not have taken you long to figure out that there is an exceptional crop of defensive linemen in this draft. The fact of the matter is that defensive linemen in this draft are more plentiful and talented than any other position.
If the Chiefs draft a defensive lineman in the 3rd round this year it will be like drafting one in the 2nd or even the end of the 1st round in any other year.
Consequently, now that the big brass have learned this… which comes from attending Senior Bowl week… then John Dorsey and Andy Reid can formulate their offseason plan more easily. Piece of cake… or in this case… piece of beefcake.
While the offensive linemen had a strong showing on Thursday of Senior Bowl week practice, the defensive linemen totally dominated the rest of the time. Some top DL include:
That’s 10 very, very good defensive linemen and that doesn’t even include any of the 10 or 11 defensive linemen who are projected to go in the first round by some top ranking services.
By contrast, DraftTek and CBS Sports only have 4 offensive tackles ranked in the top 36 players in the draft. This is one reason I am in favor of drafting an offensive lineman in the first round, if a good one is there. If you’re wanting a top tier OT, you better get him early because after that it’s slim pickin’s. Also, I should say, I am a fan of Kansas State’s OG Cody Whitehair but after him I’m not sure there are any I’d want to see in red and gold. Ever. Worst crop of Guards I’ve seen in years.
Would you, could you… accept a draft with lots of trades, like this one?
Having watched the Shrine Game and the Senior Bowl and all of the practices the past two weeks, several prospects have surely jumped up the board or as Mike Mayock likes to put it, “They made some money this week.” Consequently, players like CB Harlan Miller and WR Braxton Miller will not be around in the 5th or 6th rounds.
The prospects available in this draft… assuming John Dorsey and crew continue to “get it right”… should help the Chiefs take a giant step towards filling a championship level roster.
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What do you think Addict fans? Are you looking forward to Chiefs Training Camp like I am? Can’t come soon enough for me.