The NFL draft has been and gone. In a whirlwind of excitement, crazy trades and rash draft picks, many young footballers have just taken their first steps in trying to become a truly great player and it is now that the hard work starts.
From a Kansas City Chiefs’ perspective, the draft class is an interesting one to say the least. Trading out of the first round was a move that many had predicted, and John Dorsey landed Chris Jones, a beast of a defensive tackle with the 37th-overall pick of the draft.
Jones is a great pick for the Chiefs and continues Dorsey’s drafting strategy of taking players to replace an impending free agent the following year. However, while the defensive line certainly needed attention during this draft, it was not the clear need of the team. That belonged to cornerback, and Dorsey has managed to address that need as well, although in a very different way.
Rather than look for a nailed on stud (if there is such a thing) with a high pick, Dorsey has chosen to throw numbers at the position, in the hope that one or two will develop into starting caliber corners. Selecting three of any position is an unusual tactic for any organization. However, it simply illustrates the drastic need that the Chiefs had at the position.
With Sean Smith leaving for the Oakland Raiders during free agency, the Chiefs were left with only Marcus Peters as the only proven NFL-quality cornerback, and in all honesty, while Peters had a sensational rookie season winning Defensive Rookie of the Year, one great year is not enough to assure wholeheartedly of sufficient talent to survive in the NFL.
Next: Who plays alongside Marcus?