men at work - who can it be now (via havelockellis)

With Alex Smith traded to KC (still not used to that) and Bowe, Albert, and Colquitt locked up for at least a year, the Chiefs have some very fun and exciting options for the #1 pick. Seriously guys, this just might be one of the most wide open drafts in the history of the Chiefs picking #1 overall.

Seriously though, exciting stuff. I wouldn't be surprised to see them go any direction they please hear. Seriously, nothing but kicker is off limits! And punter. And running back. And tight end. Probably center. And I doubt they'll pick a free safety, strong safety, SILB, OLB, or WR with the #1 pick.

It's truly an exciting time to be a Chiefs fan, great to have the #1 pick and be able to pick anyone we think is the best, and not even because EVERYONE sucks this time! And it's even more fun to be the first of dozens who will put up a post-signing player evaluation.

Defensive Ends/Defensive Tackles

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Sheldon Richardson is a rising star in this draft, and a local hero from Mizzou. I know a lot of people already would rather I just quit typing so that I can leave forever and never come back, but we gotta explore every option. Richardson is an athletic freak who many compare Pro Bowl disrupters like J.J Watt and Geno Atkins, and even former Tiger Justin Smith. Unlike former Chief Glenn Dorsey, he's actually got some length to him at 6'4 so he fits the prototypical build, and unlike Tyson Jackson, he is a dangerous threat who must be game planned around in order to stop him from getting into the backfield. His stats aren't insane, but keep in mind that he played in the SEC and was the only player on the Mizzou defense that a single team had heard of. And if you watch him, you'll notice that even that doesn't stop him. He frequently gets into the QB's face (the most important thing to disrupt a QB's thinking is interior pressure). His motor and determination as well as endurance is truly insane, he's always chasing down wide receivers from behinds, never giving up on plays. He's a new candidate, but one that I am beginning to petition for.

via www.cbc.ca

Star Lotulelei is a guy who I personally love. I really hope that his heart checks out because I would love for him to be in the mix just to create tension. The thing I immediately notice (aside from his absolute dominance in a weak conference) is that he has quite the get off. Like, legendary. Like, one of the best in football right now. He's oftentimes driving his legs and out stretching his arms against the blocker before the offensive lineman is even out of his stance. Once again, very reminiscent of guys like Watt and Atkins. I've watched all his games this year, and I still struggle to see how any real draft analyst can claim that he doesn't have a pass rush because I've rarely see him not get in the QB's face, or intimidating a runner. His tackling troubles me as does his inconsistent motor and heart, but I truly believe he is one of the best defender in this class by a long shot. If I had to pick a comparison it would be Marcell Dareus, but with a better get off.

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Shariff Floyd, the ultimate controversial #1 pick. Not saying I think he's awful, but I rarely see him consistently dominate like Star or force lineman to double or triple him like Richardson. He's a squat fellow who plays with outstanding technique and leverage, but its not often that I see him take control of a situation or really be a game changer. Reminds me of a better, more disruptive (but not too disruptive) version if Dorsey. Does all that is asked of him, but I rarely see him impress me. Wouldn't like to see him at #1 at all.

With Tyson Jackson back, its highly possible that we will sign a free agent (Canty, Starks, Seymour, Kelly, Bryant) or draft a defensive end/tackle like Brandon Williams or maybe trade up and get John Jenkins if he falls. This will open the door to...

Cornerback

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There's only one corner in this draft worth it. That's Dee Milliner. It's not often I write about defensive backs so take some time to soak it up.

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Done? Ok. I actually really like Dee. At #1 I'm a little iffy, I think we can take in guys from free agency or late rounds that wouldn't be a downgrade too significant. But if we were to take him, I would grow to accept him. He's got everything elite CB's have. Elite speed, solid height and size, physical at the LOS and good at keeping track of his man. Knows how to get into a WR's head and is also surprisingly physical against the run. He could learn from Brandon Flowers and Emmitt, and they are honestly pretty similar guys. Flowers is the most physical, probably the toughest corner in the league. But learning from Flowers, I think Dee has tons of potential. He reminds me a lot of my favorite NFL corner, Patrick Peterson. Minus 20 pounds and the returning ability.

Offensive line

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Chance Warmack is pretty badass. He's probably definitely the best player in this draft maybe. Oh wait, what was that? You think that other guy is pretty good? Oh, well stop it. You're wrong. You're very wrong. You should feel bad about how wrong you are. Go to bed or something, you're wrong. Warmack is a powerful prospect with a very strong lower body to bulldoze opposing opposition. His pass protection is astounding as well, he barely seems to move or exert himself while the opposition seems to jut be constantly going 100% in futile efforts against an immovable object.

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Luke Joeckel will probably be good. He's solid in every field. He's a punishing, effect run blocker. He's a consistent pass protector with a giant frame to envelope defenders. He's also a solid athlete and decent in space. But his lack of pure elite talent, physically of in one certain field, is why I would really rather he not be #1. Not to mention he would probably either move Winston to guard or Albert would be traded, so it would be bad.

That said, a line of Albert-Warmack/Winston-Hudson-Asamoah-Winston/Joeckel would definitely make Alex feel at home, especially if Allen continues to struggle or the new regime doesn't like him.

I will not discuss the possibility Eric Fisher or Jonathan Cooper because that's stupid and I don't want to discuss that possibility.

Quarterbacks

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Im not gonna spend too much time here because it is becoming a fantasy that I want to keep out of my mind to avoid disappointment. But potentially, we could draft a QB number one while Alex fills in at stopgap, and he would train him up (in the same way he did Kaepernick, reportedly). Or we draft Collin Klein and he pulls a Tebow so that Alex is out of work in two years. Or we sign Tebow. Gahhhhhhh... Dammit.

No matter the pick, I will grow to accept it eventually. This is an exciting time to be not only a Chiefs fan, but a spots fan. The possibilities are endless.

Stay Classy, Kansas City.