Looking Ahead to the Draft

The Chiefs, as one could guess with a 2-14 record, have many holes to fill on their roster. Most of these, however, lie on defense; the front-seven played horrendous last year. We have exactly one starting caliber linebacker, and at times it seemed like zero starting caliber Defensive Lineman.

Now I know that the D-line is young. And I still believe Glenn Dorsey can be an absolute star in the NFL, if given proper coaching and the correct system for him to play in.

I would say our Team Needs look something like this:

1. Defensive End
2. Outside Linebacker
3. Offensive Lineman - C, RG, RT
4. Wide Receiver
5. Defensive Tackle

The problem for the Chiefs is there are no DE's worth taking at No. 3. Orakpo might be close, however, after the combine, with the ability to play DE in a 4-3 or OLB in a 3-4.

The silver lining is the best player in the draft may be available at this No. 3 pick. Aaron Curry is an absolute stud. 6'2", 250lbs, 4.56 40-yard dash.

A tackling machine, he was also far and away the best defensive player that worked out at the Combine. He's very versatile also, he could play either inside or outside, and he can play in the 3-4 should the Chiefs decide to go in that direction.

After obtaining Matt Cassel, we no longer need to debate whether to select a QB with our first round pick.

The Chiefs have new leaders in the front office, and need a new identity. We need to get meaner. Scott Pioli is all about having a great defense, and that starts with intensity. This new Identity has begun with bringing a grizzled vet in her like Mike Vrabel, and he would be a great mentor to guys like Curry and DJ.

If the Chiefs get Curry in the first, he will immediately bring that hard-hitting intensity our defense needs, and would fill out our LB corp. This pick, along with Vrabel, would instantly transform one of the weakest linebacking groups into one of the best.

I think, unless a truly spectacular player falls to us in the third round, I think we should go after the best OL available. Whether that be a C, or a RG, or RT, we need to protect our new investment in Matt Cassel.

I also wouldn't mind targeting a guy like Jarron Gilbert in the third round who can either play DE or DT. At 6'5 290, he's crazy athletic and could play inside or outside in a 4-3, or could play DE in a 3-4, so he's versitile also. Pioli loves versitle guys.

After round two it gets a little dicey predicting who's going to be available, but an ideal draft for the Chiefs would look something like this:

• Round 1 - Aaron Curry - OLB
  
• Round 3 - Antoine Caldwell - OC - Leader of Alabama's very good OL last year. Has started 34 games at Center, Guard, and Tackle.
  
• Round 4 - Trevor Canfield - OG - Not the biggest or strongest, but plays mean and is nimble for his size - 6'5 310)
• Round 5 - Pannel Egboh - DE - has excellent size (6'6 276 lbs.) and smarts (has a Stanford education). Four-year starter, and is quick enough to play DE in a 4-3, or put on 15-20 lbs and play DE in a 3-4 scheme
  
• Round 6 - Sammie Lee Hill - DT - This guy is the un-hyped version of BJ Raji. 6'4, 330 lbs. and nimble, can put pressure on the QB by pushing the pocket. Has the quickness to even play DE in a 3-4 scheme.
  
• Round 7 - Jeremy Gilchrist - WR - Is 5'9, 171 lbs, and is extremely shifty and hard to tackle. It will be our own version of Wes Welker for Matt Cassel to throw to.
  

Last year's draft was a great one for this team. But winning teams are not built upon one draft. We must continue to have good drafts if this team is to go anywhere in the future.