Fans who want the Chiefs to ignore a quarterback in the first round might want to prepare themselves for disappointment in this year’s draft.
When you hear people talking about the Chiefs and the upcoming draft, there are becoming divided into two very distinct sides. First, there’s the side that wants the Chiefs to draft a quarterback in the first round (for me, any of the top 4, I’ll pass on Davis Webb), and then there are hose who want the Chiefs to address a more immediate need—especially along the defensive front seven. If we use the past as prologue to help us make an educated guess on the Chiefs draft direction, that immediate need discussion may need to be tabled until round two.
As we look back at the history of the Chiefs and their top draft picks since John Dorsey, Andy Reid and company took over in 2013, there’s a very real and clear pattern to their draft picks. They have used their first round pick to address filling what at the time is perceived to be a hole opening the following offseason.
- In 2013, the Chiefs used their top pick on Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher in part to replace Brandon Albert, who would leave for Miami in 2014. Fisher was initially plugged in at right tackle, but was moved over to left tackle a year later. Fisher is currently still the starting left tackle for the Chiefs and will be for awhile. Albert was traded this offseason to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
- In 2014, the Chiefs drafted Dee Ford (over Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr) in part because Justin Houston was dealing with his contract/free agency issue and Tamba Hali was approaching the end of his contract as well. Houston was re-signed and, due to the lack of development on Ford’s part, the Chiefs were forced to retain Hali, leaving the Chiefs with three outside linebackers
- In 2015, the Chiefs selected Marcus Peters initially to be a third corner and take over for Sean Smith, who was entering the last season of his contract. Smith was suspended for three games, ‘forcing’ the Chiefs to start Peters from the outset, and well, neither he nor the Chiefs have looked back.
- In the 2016 draft, Dorsey moved back and out of round one into the early portions of round two and landed defensive lineman Chris Jones. This was in part to address the pending free agency of Dontari Poe. Jones was purely rotational along the line until coming on strong in spurts the second half of the season after injuries to Jaye Howard and Allen Bailey.
As we look at whom the Chiefs are known to have visited or spent time with during the pre-draft evaluation process, what stands out is the lack of positional players outside of quarterback. The Chiefs have spent a bunch of time with first round quarterbacks and then several visits with prospects who are not likely first round prospects.