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Kansas City Chiefs GM John Dorsey: No Top QB In Draft from NFL.com
The 16 quarterbacks invited to this month's NFL Scouting Combine mark the lowest total in 11 years, according to NFL research. Beyond Geno Smith -- who NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah believes could ultimately go to the Chiefs at No. 1 -- it's anyone's guess where the rest of this group lands in the draft.
NFL Network draft expert Mike Mayock released his pre-combine quarterback rankings this week -- charting Smith at No. 1 and followed by USC's Matt Barkley, N.C. State's Mike Glennon, Ryan Nassib of Syracuse and Landry Jones of Oklahoma. Mayock also acknowledged to "The Rich Eisen Podcast" this week, "This is going to be, by far, the most confusing quarterback draft we've had in years."
Chiefs Aren't Sold On Rookie QBs from ESPN
I know the idea of Kansas City not drafting a quarterback in the first round bothers some Chiefs fans. But if the team doesn't think quarterback is worthy of the top pick, they shouldn't force it. Nothing sets a franchise back like a whiffing on a quarterback at the top of the draft.
That's the last thing Dorsey and new coach Andy Reid want to do as their first act in Kansas City.
Inside Free Agency: Day 8 from The Mothership
Delanie Walker, aka the 49ers Swiss Army Knife (for his versatility), finds himself in a good position, entering the free agent market, following a season that ended in the Super Bowl.
Sure, Walker's stock may have risen higher, had his team topped the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII, but it's likely that his numbers will have teams calling this offseason.
Walker finished with three catches, covering 48 yards, during the 34-31 loss to the Ravens. Here are some more of his numbers, as well as strengths and weaknesses.
Team By Team Look At Who Would/Could/Should Be Tagged from ProFootballTalk
The Chiefs are trying to work out a long-term deal with receiver Dwayne Bowe; if they don't, it would cost $11.4 million to keep him around for a second season via the tag. But receivers are more plentiful than competent offensive linemen, and new Chiefs coach Andy Reid witnessed the hard way in 2012 the consequences of not having competent blockers. This reality makes tackle Branden Albert a more likely candidate to be tagged.
Carolina Panthers Would Get Discount From Chris Canty from Old North Banter
Former New York Giants defensive tackle Chris Canty is maybe the most sought-after player on the free agent market right now after the Giants opted to release him. Canty has visited with the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs, but he is also being targeted by other teams such as the Carolina Panthers.
The Charlotte native told CBS Charlotte that he would take a hometown discount to sign with the Panthers. Linebacker and team leader Thomas Davis has actively reached out to Canty about joining the Panthers and sent a text to Canty that said, "It's time for you to come on home."
Chiefs GM Not Sure There's A First-Round Quarterback This Year from ProFootballTalk
That's a problem for the Chiefs, who might have the worst quarterback depth chart in the league (and it might not be close). As a result they might have to make do with a stop-gap free agent, or roll the dice on a later pick, and trust coach Andy Reid to polish them up.
That's why Dorsey and Reid plan to attend most of the workouts of the top quarterbacks this year.
"I think Andy is a really good evaluator of quarterbacks," Dorsey said. "I want him and I to go to as many quarterback workouts as possible and actually set our own up."