KC Chiefs First Round Picks By John Dorsey: Marcus Peters
Heading into the off-season after a disappointing 2014 season that saw the KC Chiefs miss out on the playoffs after finishing with a 9-7 record there were high expectations for the future of the team.
2015: MARCUS PETERS
The 2015 season is the third season for Dorsey and Reid and there should be no more excuses. That means the 2015 off-season is one of the most important off-seasons in a long time for the Chiefs.
Dorsey wasted no time going out and trading for guard Ben Grubbs, signing guard Paul Fanaika, signing wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, and restructuring outside linebacker Tamba Hali and defensive tackle Mike DeVito.
While the KC Chiefs added and retained a lot of important pieces they still lost some key players. After signing Maclin the Chiefs released wide receiver Dwayne Bowe who then signed with the Cleveland Browns. Center Rodney Hudson walked away in free agency and signed with the Oakland Raiders.
After a busy free agency period Dorsey and the Chiefs were in a good position to draft best player available and not have to reach for need in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Most experts had the Chiefs going after a wide receiver or offensive lineman, but after Dorsey drafted Dee Ford a season ago nobody had a lock on a player or even a group of players that they may go after.
Days before, and on draft day there was talk about the KC Chiefs possibly trading up or trading back in the draft but they stayed put and selected Washington cornerback Marcus Peters.
Peters was considered a possible top ten talent but character concerns scared many teams away after he was kicked off the team at Washington in the middle of the 2014 season.
The Chiefs wouldn’t take a risk on Peters unless they were thorough in their investigation of him before the draft. His talent is undeniable as long as he can walk the straight and narrow.
Cornerback may be more of a need for the KC Chiefs than some people realize. starting cornerback Sean Smith had a stellar season in 2014 but things weren’t all good in 2014 for him. On June, 9th 2014 he was arrested for driving under the influence.
According to Terez A. Paylor of Kansascity.com in March, 2015 Smith entered a guilty plea for the DUI charge and last month he received two years of probation and had to pay a fine. Smith may now face a suspension from the NFL for violating their substance abuse policy. Under the new policy it is expected that Smith will receive a two game suspension but that is purely speculation.
If the KC Chiefs are without smith at the start of the season Peters may be thrown into action earlier than the Chiefs would like. Peters is not the kind of player that shy’s away from a challenge though.
Hopefully Peters will be more successful than Dorsey’s other two first round picks were to begin their careers. If Fisher and Ford can step up and play to the potential of a first round pick and Peters can have a solid rookie season there is no reason to believe the KC Chiefs can’t contend for an AFC West Championship.
Next: KC Chiefs First Round Picks By John Dorsey: Eric Fisher