Jerry Lai – USA TODAY Sports
Kansas City Chiefs
TEAM NEEDS: OL, DL, S, LB, RB
John Dorsey and Andy Reid retooled the roster in free agency by trading for Alex Smith and signing Sean Smith, Dunta Robinson, Mike Devito, and Anthony Fasano. In addition, they added depth signings in Chase Daniels, Akeem Jordan, Geoff Schwartz, and Donnie Avery.
With a flurry of action coming before the draft, the Chiefs set themselves up well to take the best player available and didn’t need to be forced to reach for need.
It was the widespread thought that the Chiefs would send OT Branden Albert to the Dolphins to recoup the second round pick lost in the Alex Smith trade but that never came to fruition.
The Chiefs were awarded two compensatory selections giving them eight total selections heading into the draft. With four picks in the top 100, the Chiefs and John Dorsey were in a good position to add quality and depth to an already solid roster.
Round One, (1) – Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan
The Chiefs were tied to two offensive tackles in this spot; Eric Fisher and Luke Joeckel. It was rumored that the room was split on which one to take but at the end of the day they went with the better system fit in Fisher. Fisher is an athletic tackle with room to grow and should develop into a perennial Pro Bowler.
Round Three, (63) – Travis Kelce, TE, Cincinnati
Proof that the Chiefs were looking to take the best player available. The tight end position was fairly deep before this selection. Kelce most likely fell due to concerns with maturity as he was suspended for a year at UC. He’s the best combo tight end in the draft and carried a second round grade, making him a great value pick for the Chiefs.
Round Three, (96) – Knile Davis, RB, Arkansas
Knile Davis was a highly productive back, when he was on the field. Some serious injury red-flags with Davis and an even more serious history with fumbles have me worried about his viability as an NFL runner. This was a reach for me as there were better backs and much better players on the board.
Round Four, (99) – Nico Johnson, ILB, Alabama
After striking gold with their first two picks, they struck out with the next two. Johnson was a reach, albeit at a position of need. Jovan Belcher’s death left the Chiefs in major need an ILB but this was far too high for Johnson.
Round Five, (134) – Sanders Commings, CB, Georgia
Dorsey and Reid get back on track with this pick. Commings was a great value pick atop round five and should be able to come in as an immediate special teams ace. He’s long and big—two sought after traits at the position in today’s NFL.
Round Six, (170) – Eric Kush, OC, Cal (PA)
The small school prospect has NFL tools. He’s a nice pickup at this point as there’s a lot of room for growth and gives them depth at center and possibly guard.
Round Six, (204) – Braden Wilson, FB, Kansas State
He’s big (6’3, 251) and strong. He was my top pure FB in the draft as he was the best blocking back in this class.
Round Seven, (207) – Mike Catapano, DE, Princeton
Catapano was a favorite among ‘draftniks’ as a potential sleeper. He has nice size (6’3, 271) and above-average athleticism for the position. Catapano has a shot to make this roster.
UNDRAFTED FREE AGENT SIGNINGS: Tyler Bray, QB, Tennessee – Dayne Crist, QB, Kansas – Kaderius Lacey, RB, Alabama A&M – Jordan Roberts, RB, Charleston – T.J. Knowles, TE, Sacaramento State – Frankie Hammond, WR, Florida – Darryl Stonum, WR, Michigan – Rico Richardson, WR, Jacksonville State – Demetrius Harris, former basketball player, UW-Milwaukee – A.J. Hawkins, OL, Ole Miss – Raheem Stanley, DT, New Haven – Rob Lohr, DT, Vanderbilt – E.J. Epperson, DE, Ole Miss – Brad Madison, DE, Missouri – Josh Martin, OLB, Columbia, Toben Opurum, OLB, Kansas – Darin Drakeford, LB, Maryland – CJ Jones, CB, Texas A&M – Bradley McDougald, S, Kansas
Overall, it was a nice first draft for John Dorsey and Andy Reid. A couple of questionable selections with Knile Davis and Nico Johnson but they more than made up for it with some solid value selections at the beginning and end of the draft.
The Chiefs head into the 2013 season with a solid roster on paper. They could stand to add a starting caliber ILB next to Derrick Johnson and an upgrade at FS. That said, this will be a much improved team as I can’t see any way they are drafting first overall in 2014. They could be the only serious competitors to the Denver Broncos in the AFC West this season.
