FanPost

Hindsight in 20/20: Re-Grading the Chiefs 2011 Draft

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

From the FanPosts -Joel

With the 2017 NFL draft right around the corner, I figured it would be a good time to grade each of the last few drafts and see just how well they turned out. I will be reviewing the 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 drafts and seeing just how well those picks turned out. There are a number of things I will be considering in doing this. I will be doing this once or twice a week so I hope you guys enjoy.

The Chiefs had just won the AFC West for the first time in seven years and were looking to repeat that. The Chiefs held the 21st overall pick but would trade down with Cleveland who had acquired the 27th pick in a trade with the Falcons, who had traded up to select WR Julio Jones.

  • Jonathan Baldwin (WR, Pitt)- The Chiefs were hoping to get that Number 2 WR with this pick to play opposite of Dwayne Bowe, who had come off one of the best seasons for a WR at that time. Unfortunately Baldwin decided to pick a fight with Thomas Jones and missed most of his rookie year and never really recovered. He looked good on film but his work ethic left a lot to be desired. He was traded to the 49er's for AJ Jenkins and is now out of the league. F
  • Rodney Hudson (OG/C, FSU)- Rodney Hudson was drafted to take over at center after Casey Wiegmann retires but that would wait a year. When Hudson was good to start, he would only play in two games due to a leg injury sustained against the Saints. After Pioli got the boot, Dorsey brought in some competition for him but he won the job. He started the next two years before signing with the Raiders when he reached free agency. While his stay was short, I would call this pick solid. B+
  • Justin Houston (OLB, UGA)- Remember the trade with Cleveland I mentioned earlier? The Chiefs got the Browns third round pick and decided to take Justin Houston with it. Houston had failed a drug test for weed at the Combine and fell out of the 1st round. This is probably the best pick Pioli made. Not only is he one of the best LB's in the game but he was a first rounder picked in the third. Yes Houston has been hurt. On the other hand, he didn't do anything to cause those injuries other than being in the wrong place at the wrong time. A+
  • Allen Bailey (DE, Miami of Florida)- To complete the trifecta of Gators rivals (seriously screw all three of these teams on Saturday's), we have Allen Bailey. Originally thought to provide some pass rush similar to Wallace Gilberry, he has become one helluva run stopper. Some fans don't like him, others do. He is a run stopper and good at it. It appears to me that the run game might be coming back in style and so Bailey has some value. Is he slightly overpaid? Maybe but he has easily played well enough for a third round pick. This year is definitely make or break for the big man. B
  • Jalil Brown (CB, Colorado)- Now we get into a stretch of picks where there was a lot of hype but little payout. Jalil Brown was thought to be a decent backup who could be a future starter. That didn't happen and this was a horrible pick. He has floated around a few teams and is now out of the league. I don't normally do this but the Chiefs could have gotten Julius Thomas in the fourth round. F
  • Ricky Stanzi (QB, IOWA)- What an overhyped pick this was. This guy couldn't see the field even when Matt Cassel, Tyler Palko and Brady Quinn were stinking it up. That should tell you how bad this pick was. F
  • Gabe Miller (OLB, Oregon State)- Who? F
  • Jerrell Powe (NT, Ole Miss)- Hey a pick actually worth a damn. Powe was thought to be the NT to finally sure that position up for the Chiefs 3-4 defense. He actually wasn't terrible and if the Chiefs had stuck with a two gap scheme when Dorsey and Reid came over, I think he had a place on the roster to backup Poe. Sadly that didn't happen but he had found new life with the Texans. Sadly he is what he is. A run stopping NT that doesn't provide you much else. It looks like he hasn't played a down in a year but we will always that gif of him chasing down Josh Johnson. D
  • Shane Bannon (FB, Yale)- Who? F
This draft was mediocre at best and the only thing keeping it from being a complete bust is Houston and Bailey.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.