Regrading the K.C. Chiefs 2014 NFL Draft class

Final Grade: C+

This is a really tough class to grade. Dee Ford failed to blossom into the consistent pass rusher that the Chiefs hoped he’d become, but he wasn’t abysmal either. Alex Smith buoys the class just a bit, given that this year’s second round pick that was used to acquire him. Gaines and Thomas weren’t home runs, but they weren’t really busts either. And clearly Kansas City got incredible value out of its two sixth round draft picks.

Aaron Murray’s fifth round selection, then, serves as the only true bust of the class. Given that NFL quarterbacks drafted after the first round have something like a 10% success rate in the NFL, it is difficult to blame Kansas City for missing on this one. Teams draft project quarterbacks who do not work out all of the time (and they have to).

We settled on calling this a ‘just above average’ draft class. Fulton and LDT give the class a lot of value; Ford was integral in helping the team reach an AFC Title Game; and Alex Smith was obviously integral to the rebuild as a whole. What’s more, Gaines and Thomas both had impacts for the team during their tenure. Getting four true starters in one draft class (Ford, Smith, Fulton, LDT), and two role players, with only one bust, is a pretty decent job.