Chiefs must focus on quarterback in 2017 NFL Draft
By John McCarty
A rookie quarterback that has the opportunity to prepare during the week, in both the film room and practice field while fine tuning any concerns without the burden of playing every snap, at least initially. With Nick Foles a free agent after this season and likely commanding a salary larger then what the Chiefs can afford, backup quarterback will be a position of need this season.
Thirdly, this team has a lot of depth across the board. Running back depth showed last season after the injury to Charles, defensive depth showed with the injury to Houston. Chris Jones, at least during his preseason opportunities appears to be a find on defense, and Marcus Peters appears poised for another solid season. With so few holes, the Chiefs are likely going to be in a position this offseason of not reaching for a need over the quarterback, as they have in years past. When you don’t have a need, it allows you add and address depth, which ties into my last point…
This team is expensive. For the next couple years, the Chiefs will be near the bottom of the league in salary cap room, really hampering what they can afford to address during the off seasons. While Alex Smith’s contract numbers in 2016 and 2017 are not egregious, with cap hits at 1$7.8 and dropping to $16.9 respectively, his number jumps in 2018 up to $20.6 million.
Combined with the increasing salaries of vital players such as Travis Kelce, Jeremy Maclin, Justin Houston, Marcus Peters, etc, the Chiefs will be forced to make a decision between Alex Smith or some other positional players. Having a young quarterback with a year under his belt stepping in to be the starter in 2018 would allow the Chiefs to maintain their core, while creating cap room to either facilitate keeping impact players or ability to address issues in free agency.
With that in mind, with scouting reports next week, here are some names I’m keeping an eye on this college football season as possibilities for the Chiefs come April 2017. Yes, I am aware some names are not likely to be available when the Chiefs select.
Deshaun Watson, Clemson
Deshone Kizer, Notre Dame
Brad Kaaya, Miami (FL)
Luke Falk, Washington State
Mason Rudolph, Oklahoma State
Chad Kelly, Ole Miss
Seth Russell, Baylor
Which one would you prefer? Let us know, Addicts!