We continue with our look at Clark Judge's interview with Chiefs GM Scott Pioli.
There are a couple of interesting notes here:
- The Chiefs were considering three players with the 36th pick
- They tried to trade up from the 50th pick
More after the jump.
When the Chiefs came up to pick at 36, they were considering three players. Also being armed with another second round pick, they had to decide who had the least chance of falling to 50.
That was McCluster.
"Afterward," PIoli said, "I had three calls from different people I know and trust who said he wouldn't have made it to 50."
Sounds like good timing.
The Chiefs were considering three players at 36 so that means
"There was another guy we were considering at 36," he said, "but the other two were ahead of him. And what ended up happening was that we tried trading up earlier than 50, weren't able to get it done and the other player that we wanted went off the board."
So they tried to trade up after 36 and before 50. Who were they targeting? Here's a list of the players drafted between picks 37-49:
FS Nate Allen, FS TJ Ward, WR Arrelious Benn, DE Koa Misi, DT Torell Troup, TE Rob Gronkowski, DE/LB Sergio Kindle, DT Lamarr Houston, OT Zane Beadles, DT Linval Joseph, LB Daryl Washington, QB Jimmy Clausen and FS Taylor Mays.
Few interesting thoughts about this list.
I think any of the safeties have to be considered -- Nate Allen, TJ Ward and Taylor Mays. The Chiefs either worked out or attended the pro day of all these players.
You also have to note the defensive tackles -- Torell Troup and Linval Joseph. Both could be considered at nose tackle. Romeo Crennel put Troup through a private workout down in Florida.
Pass rusher is a need so Sergio Kindle is there. He was a slider during the draft and could have been rated higher on draft boards.
These picks came from those with the Chiefs connection: Koa Misi (Dolphins/Parcells), Rob Gronkowski (Patriots/Belichick) and Zane Beadles (Broncos/McDaniels).
We're not sure who it was but Pioli liked him enough to try to trade up for him. I wouldn't be surprised if five years from now this particular player is a free agent, signs with the Chiefs and we find out Pioli loved him in the draft.