Putting Chiefs draft into the big picture

All the rest.

Overall, I was pretty pleased with how this draft turned out.  It wasn’t the kind of draft that screams for attention like the Jaguars had, but there weren’t any picks that really disappointed me.  Even the selections of Hill and Hogan, which I gave the lowest marks to, weren’t terrible.  Ultimately, this was a draft that was about building depth and maintaining a strong roster in the future.  That’s a commendable approach in a year when the team is obviously thinking about their Super Bowl chances.

I’ll start with the trades.  Apart from moving back and collecting more picks, there was a very strategic move involved with these trades that is going largely unappreciated.

By moving back, John Dorsey actually decreased the cap hit of this draft class against the Top 51 contracts.  And he did so by enough that the Chiefs don’t have to make any moves to accommodate the new additions.  That gives them a leg up when other teams come calling about potential trades.  Very shrewd draft maneuvering on the part of the Chiefs GM.

The two picks that really won me over were OG Parker Ehringer and WR Demarcus Robinson.  Ehringer was a player that I always wanted to work into my mock drafts, but it just never worked out.  He’s an ideal fit for a LG in the West Coast Offense and should end up winning the starting job coming out of Training Camp.  His experience at both tackle spots also makes him emergency depth in the case of multiple injuries.  That’s a solid move all around.

With Robinson, I think you’re talking about the eventual #2 WR in Kansas City.  He has that kind of talent.  His skill set is also perfect for the WCO.  He’s a very talented catch and run receiver, but can also take advantage of defensive backs who aren’t prepared for him to take off downfield.

Andy Reid has had a lot of success with guys like that.  His suspensions are what kept him from being a second round pick.  But before judging him on those, know that his teammates were the ones who took up for him to be reinstated at Florida.  That’s a very good sign that he isn’t any kind of a locker room cancer.

Dadi Nicolas is a solid pick just because adding pass rushers is always a smart move.  Whether he makes the most of it or not, the fact the team is going after those types of players remains encouraging.  I will say that I’m a little upset that Dorsey didn’t draft Victor Ochi…but I’ll get over it.  Besides, a name like Dadi Nicolas will guarantee plenty of meme fun during Training Camp.

Well, that will do it for me, Addicts.  The draft season is over and we can start looking forward to the beginning of the offseason workouts soon.  In the meantime, I expect there to be a couple of moves still yet to be made.