Which Kansas City Chiefs are Sweating the NFL Draft?
Taking a cue from one of our favorite blogs, Buffalo Rumblings, today we're talking about the Kansas City Chiefs players that are going to be a bit anxious come Saturday and Sunday.
LB Demorrio Williams
Signed in March 2008, Williams was one of only a couple free agents the Kansas City Chiefs signed last year. Before the Chiefs even got into the season, Wililams was part of that rash of training camp injuries we had last year. While that isn't the sole reason Williams never really got off the ground in KC, it certainly didn't help. Williams racked up 62 tackles last year and played in every game. The fact that the Chiefs had a string of injuries at the linebacker position last year and Williams was unable to capitalize by becoming a full fledged starter means he's on the edge this year. Especially since the Chiefs have signed four linebackers this off season.
If Demorrio Williams makes this team, he'll do so as a bench warmer for the linebacking corp and as a special teams player. He hasn't stood out in either role so don't be surprised if Williams is exchanged for another warm body linebacker.
C Rudy Niswanger
Still a good value for the Chiefs, Rudy Niswanger appears to me to be a placeholder until the Chiefs can draft a center. I'm not sure if that's this year or next year or if the Chiefs will grab a center through free agency, which is unlikely at this point in the off season.
Primetime thinks Niswanger will probably be the Chiefs stating center this season, which is definitely a possibilty. The Chiefs did offer Niswanger a second round contract tender and he did line up in the starting center position for mini-camp. His versatility on the line (he can play guard as well) means he probably has a future in KC but I still think if a solid center drops to the Chiefs in the third to fourth rounds that the Chiefs won't hesitate to replace Niswanger.
Rudy Niswanger will be a Kansas City Chief this year, I'm pretty sure of that. But he may lose his starting job forever by Monday.
K Connor Barth
What kicker isn't sweating the NFL Draft, even just a bit? The Chiefs could draft a kicker with the final pick in the draft but Barth's competition is really more from the two free agent kickers the Chiefs recently brought to mini-camp. The Chiefs could also sign a kicker in the early hours post-draft, meaning even more competition for Barth.
Draft, free agency...Connor Barth is going to have to clearly be the best kicker in Kansas City to retain his starting job.
QB Ingle Martin
Ingle Martin is probably sweating his job in general, seeing how he's the fourth quarterback on the depth chart. You know what I find extremely interesting? That the bottom two QBs on our depth chart, Brodie Croyle and Ingle Martin, were third and fifth round draft choices respectively. The two guys sitting on the top of the Chiefs' QB depth chart? Seventh rounders.
Has any team ever had two seventh round draft picks at the top of its QB depth chart?
The Chiefs may end up taking a quarterback late in the draft, which means bye bye to Ingle Martin. He probably won't make the team even if the Chiefs don't draft a quarterback.
RT Damion McIntosh
It's clear to anyone who's been following the Kansas City Chiefs recently that we're picking an offensive linemen as early as we can in this draft, maybe even with the #3 pick. If the Chiefs do draft a left tackle with that #3 pick, that likely means that Branden Albert will move to the right tackle position, bumping Damion McIntosh down the depth chart.
McIntosh has played a touch of guard in his career but he's definitely not versatile enough to swing that experience into a starting guard position if the Chiefs move him. My money says McIntosh is a backup come September.
S DaJuan Morgan
Three of the twelve members of the Chiefs 2008 draft class have already been let go by Scott Pioli and Todd Haley. Kevin Robinson, Mike Merritt and Will Franklin barely made it on the field in their first year as Chiefs and won't log any time this season.
Strictly a special teams player in 2008, something is up with DaJuan Morgan. He was drafted late in the third round by the Chiefs and never took the field as a safety. His positional importance will decrease compared to the Cover 2 with whatever 3-4 hybrid the Chiefs choose to run. Morgan is probably the one least sweating the draft (I don't think the Chiefs will draft a safety) but he has absolutely no reason to think he's definitely on the roster this next season. He'll be competing with a multitude of others to be a special teams stand out.
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23 comments
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Comments
Martin's The Only One I Think Is Definitely Gone
He hasn’t done anything in his career to make himself stand out…about his only chance is if the Chiefs cut Brodie Croyle instead.
Demorrio Williams is unlikely to go anywhere…he wasn’t good but he’s serviceable and can serve as a backup to the linebackers, and considering the age of Vrabel and Thomas it’s important to have a decent backup. Niswanger won’t get cut, IMO…the Chiefs will find a place for him somewhere. He might lose his starting job, but I think he’ll be on the roster for 2009.
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
2. The Lions will draft Matt Stafford, the Rams will draft Jason Smith, and the Chiefs will draft either Aaron Curry or Eugene Monroe.
3. Maurice Carthon will be the most hated man on the Chiefs' coaching staff within two years.
by UCrawford on Apr 22, 2009 10:05 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I should also clarify
That I don’t mean sweating as in they’re necessarily be cut later. Just players that could see their careers affected big time by this draft.
by Chris Thorman on Apr 22, 2009 10:14 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
More proof herm was not the draft god
some people say. A good draft is finding good players in later rounds not just the first 2.
by bringbacktheglory on Apr 22, 2009 10:15 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Jarrad Page – 7
Kolby Smith – 5
Herb Taylor – 6
Brandon Carr -5
and don’t forget, Tony’s “eventual replacement”, Brad Cottam in Round 3 (sarcasm off)
Marley will be walking soon...she could probably play Linebacker better than some of the guys we had.
by PVChiefsfan on Apr 22, 2009 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
thanks for making my point
In 3 years of drafting you could only come up with 4 players. And not 1 of his players has shown all pro yet, not that one wont but hasen’t yet.
by bringbacktheglory on Apr 22, 2009 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hear the line yesterday
“The second day of the draft is where you find NFL veterans.” Can’t remember where I heard it.
by Chris Thorman on Apr 22, 2009 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think McIntosh
Is our starting RG if we draft a starting OT in the draft.
Niswanger is making the team, simply because at his pricetag, he’s a solid C-G backup, if it comes to that.
by kcsno56 on Apr 22, 2009 10:28 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Another possibility
If we draft a tackle (which I’m a huge proponent of) is trading Waters (again, I’m for it) and filling the interior of the line with Niswanger-Goff-McIntosh or another of the younger guys.
by JComp11 on Apr 22, 2009 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't give up on (young) D. Morgan
Thought this was interesting from NFL Draft Countdown reviewing last years draft and doing their own “ideal picks.”
DaJuan Morgan, S, North Carolina St.
6-01/8 | 205 | 4.54
Some felt that Morgan was the best safety prospect in the ’08 Draft and it would not have been a surprise if he had gone a round earlier. Morgan is still raw after beginning his college career as a wide receiver and even though he only started one year in college he opted to go pro after his junior season. He has all the physical tools you look for, he just needs more experience. Kenny Phillips and Tyrell Johnson might be better players right now but Morgan may have more long-term upside.
home, of the....CHIEEEEEFS!
by Holmeslice on Apr 22, 2009 10:28 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Maybe he should have stayed for his senior year
and learned how to play the position better. He is getting paid now, but will dwell on the bench and linger in obscurity since he tried moving up without having any idea how to play safety. He probably would have landed a better contract and more playing time if he’d stayed in college one more year and learned his position.
by Chiefs4Life on Apr 22, 2009 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
true
but now we got him cheap and hopefully he does turn out to be a good player
by DT58forever on Apr 22, 2009 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
As far as the QBs go...
NE was close. Brady was 6th round, Cassel was 7th.
by stlfan on Apr 22, 2009 11:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The Rudy hating...
seems to prevalent everywhere I read. I don’t get that one. He’s big, he’s smart, he’s self made. If anyone on the O line fits the “best 53 not best athlete” mantra we keep hearing repeated, I think it’s our center. I’ll bet he ends up a Piloi / Haley mainstay.
by juvatbull on Apr 22, 2009 11:25 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Rudy is 6'5
Thigpen 6’1
and Cassel 6’4
I think Cassel will be able to see over Niswanger
you don't have to win and you don't need to fight. Supertramp
by Steve_Chiefs on Apr 22, 2009 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Get yo facts straight
Although he didn’t record any tackles, Morgan saw a fair share of the field subbing in for Page & Pollard
Attn Todd Haley: "DO U WANNA FIGHT ME!?"
by KansasCityShuffle on Apr 22, 2009 11:44 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Croyle
Why is Croyle still a Chief? He’s done nothing. I wish Croyle was gone instead of Huard.
by iachiefsfan on Apr 22, 2009 11:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I still don't see the point in moving Albert
for a LT that is not as good as he is. Albert is better then every single tackle that is available this year. If we take one at 3 then he will need to move to RT and not worry about the salary that each makes.
by TXroyal on Apr 22, 2009 11:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Why isnt Adrian Jones on this list?
by MasterBlaster7 on Apr 22, 2009 1:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
He's not on the team.
He signed a one year deal and was not resigned.
by bgrip12 on Apr 22, 2009 4:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Morgan played at safety last year
He rotated in during several games. Gave up quite a few big plays, too.
by SlipperyPete on Apr 22, 2009 3:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Shoot.... I hope the whole roster is sweatin the draft...
We need improvement across the board, and the better more consistent player should always take the field regardless of experience or inexperience.
Opinions are like A--holes, everyones got one.
by aPacificChief on Apr 23, 2009 3:39 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

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