KC Chiefs Pass On Linebacker Position In 2016 NFL Draft
The 2016 NFL Draft is over with, and the KC Chiefs did not select a single linebacker with any of their nine picks.
For a team that’s all about adding strong defensive players, the Kansas City Chiefs might have missed out on some talented linebackers this year.
Now before I get into the meat of this article, let me just say that I feel like the Chiefs did pretty well in this draft. They traded picks for more picks later on and really hit on several of the big needs for the team. Linebacker was one of those areas that could have used a young prospect, and the Chiefs didn’t go with one at all.
This might not be a problem for 2016, or hell even 2017, but the Chiefs really should have been thinking somewhat about years down the road in this draft. They gave three-year deals to both Tamba Hali and Derrick Johnson this past offseason, and while fans love both of those guys, Hali is 32 (and will turn 33 during the season) and Johnson is 33 (and will turn 34 during the season).
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The Chiefs also have Justin Houston signed to a huge contract and his first year of the deal saw him getting injured and missing some time. Houston could also miss some time in 2016, but it’s been said he should be good to go.
While all three of these guys are great linebackers and some of the best players on the KC Chiefs team, two of them are in their 30s and the other one is injury prone. It wouldn’t have been a bad idea at all to add an extra linebacker to potentially take some of the load off.
Perhaps John Dorsey and Andy Reid felt comfortable enough with these three guys as well as starter Josh Mauga, 2014 first rounder Dee Ford, and last year’s fourth round pick Ramik Wilson.
Ford has been a bust since his first round selection two years ago. He had a three-sack game against San Diego, but it was against backup linemen.
Wilson showed promise at times, recovering a fumble for a touchdown in a week five game against the Bears, and Mauga has also been a nice addition since having to step up in place of an injured Johnson two seasons ago.
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Some of the linebackers the Chiefs could have had, but passed on were big names like Myles Jack and Jaylon Smith, as well as the Alabama standout Reggie Ragland.
Jack and Smith were guys who had some injuries, which is why they plummeted down draft boards. I don’t blame the Chiefs for not scooping up either one of them.
It is surprising though that Kansas City opted not to add a single linebacker yet grabbed THREE cornerbacks in the draft and two wide receivers with character issues.
Were you surprised about the Kansas City Chiefs not adding a linebacker in the draft?