Draft Day!
It’s finally here.
Christmas in April for NFL fans. The 2012 NFL Draft begins tonight at 7PM CT airing on both ESPN and NFL Network. The 1st round is tonight with the 2nd and 3rd rounds continuing Friday at 6PM CT and then rounds 4 through 7 beginning at 11AM CT on Saturday. I still don’t know how I feel about the draft being stretched to 3 days and starting on a Thursday night. I loved it as a weekend event, but I understand why they changed it up.
As a Chiefs fan, this draft is very intriguing to me. KC picks just outside the Top 10 and because they only have a few glaring needs (QB, NT), they are free to do pretty much whatever they want and pick the best player available on their board. There have been several different players linked to the Chiefs for the 11th pick in the draft including Texas A&M QB. Ryan Tannehill, Boston College LB. Luke Kuechly, Alabama S. Mark Barron, Memphis NT. Dontari Poe, Stanford G. David DeCastro, LSU DT Michael Brockers, Illinois OLB Whitney Mercilus and South Carolina OLB/DE Melvin Ingram. There is also the possibility, maybe a strong possibility that Pioli and the Chiefs attempt to trade down like they did last year. They could trade up I guess, but I just don’t see it knowing Pioli’s track record.
So many possibilities tonight for the Chiefs, what will they do?
Here’s my best guess:
Round 1 Pick 11: Mark Barron, S, Alabama
Barron has been rising up the draft boards as of late and the Chiefs have been mentioned as a possible suitor for the stud safety. Really though, a safety? With Eric Berry and Kendrick Lewis? Yes. The Chiefs used a lot of 3 safety packages last year, and that was without Berry. Barron would be an instant impact player and would make the Chiefs’ secondary the most feared in the NFL. Kansas City has no one behind Berry and Lewis and they’re both coming off injuries. I would love this pick.
Round 2 Pick 47: Brandon Weeden, QB, Oklahoma St.
Not sure if I see Pioli taking a chance on a 28 year old spread QB, but we’ll see. I’m not the biggest Weeden fan and he’s not really a prototypical “franchise QB” because of his age, but the Chiefs are built to win NOW. I would not mind this at all if KC gives Weeden an honest chance to beat out Cassel.
Round 3 Pick 74: Josh Chapman, NT, Alabama
The other obvious need besides QB is NT. Who knows if Kelly Gregg is returning, and even if he does, this team needs to finally find a legit 2-gap NT to complete the defense. Jerrell Powe barely played last season, but there’s still hope he could be the guy and Amon Gordon was serviceable. The 6’1 316lb Chapman would round out a young, talented rotation at NT.
Round 4 Pick 107: Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincinnati
Thomas Jones and Jackie Battle are gone. Jamaal Charles is back and Peyton Hillis is on board and then there’s Dex. But I think this team will draft another RB as both Charles and Hillis are coming off injuries and Hillis’ contract is good for only one year. Pead has explosive speed and quick feet but at 5’10 200lb, he’s obviously not a very big back. Still, he has playmaking ability and adds to the plethora of weapons that the Chiefs already have.
Round 5 Pick 146: Jarius Wright, WR, Arkansas
Dwayne Bowe, Jonathan Baldwin and Steve Breaston is a pretty nice WR core, in fact, it might be the best group of WRs the Chiefs have ever had. There’s not a lot behind them however, so I can see the Chiefs taking a WR in the later rounds and Wright could be the guy. Wright has great speed and could add another dimension to the Chiefs offense.
Round 6 Pick 182: Joe Looney, G, Wake Forest
With the signing of RT. Eric Winston, the Chiefs offensive line went from average to very good. If the Chiefs can find an upgrade over LG. Ryan Lilja, this could be one of the best offensive lines in the NFL for years with Branden Albert at LT., Jon Asamoah at RG., and Rodney Hudson at C.
Round 7 Pick 218: Vontaze Burfict, ILB, Arizona St.
Before last season, Burfict was a potential 1st round draft pick with his athleticism and explosiveness. But his behavior and attitude along with a dip in production last year has sunk Burfict’s stock. Someone will take a flyer on him.
Round 7 Pick 238: Jacquies Smith, DE/OLB, Missouri
Smith was a good pass rusher at Mizzou and probably projects as a 3-4 OLB in the NFL. As a Mizzou fan, I would like to take a chance on Jacquies.
I have a feeling the Chiefs will trade down. The Cowboys are reportedly interested in S. Mark Barron and I could see the Chiefs sliding down 3 spots for a few extra picks. We’ll see.