Reviewing the Kansas City Chiefs 2014 draft class
By John McCarty
Let’s look back and re-evaluate the Kansas City Chiefs draft class of 2014, which was forgettable early but provided strong value late.
NFL wisdom says that it’s not a general manager’s first draft but the following one, the second, that really speaks about his ideas and vision. At that point, the GM has his people in place for a full calendar year for the sake of extended talent evaluation and roster needs.
Looking back, John Dorsey joined the Kansas City Chiefs as general manager in 2013, but a look at the 2014 NFL Draft class will speak a bit more about his methods. And since you must wait a few seasons to let the draft class play out before it can be full graded, it felt like a good time to look back at the 2014 draft.
A reminder of the Chiefs selections made back in 2014
- 1st (23) – Dee Ford, OLB/DE ,Auburn
- 2nd – No selection, part of Alex Smith trade
- 3rd (87) Phillip Gaines, CB, Rice
- 4th (124) De’Anthony Thomas, ATH, Oregon
- 5th (163) Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia
- 6th (193) Zach Fulton, G, Tennessee
- 6th (200) Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, OT, McGill (Canada)
What is obvious is just how bad the top of this draft was for the Chiefs. Ford has had moments of glory surrounded by long stretches of complete disappointment. A great athlete with a quick first step and issues stopping the run marked his college play and that description has carried over into the pros.
Ford is with the Chiefs because they are in desperate need of pass rushers and failed to draft any, perhaps because of Ford’s presence. I’ve been wrong before and I’ll be wrong again, but it’s hard to imagine Dee Ford being a Chief past the 2018 season unless he has a big season. He’s also been a disaster on the left side, where he’ll line up this season.
My guess is Tanoh Kpassagnon starts (he should be starting at this point) ahead of Ford this season on the left side opposite of Justin Houston.