2019 Draft: How Critical is CB?

kccrow · 10-11-2018, 02:27 PM

Watching the Chiefs this season makes me wonder just how critical the CB position is for KC when they head to the offseason.

Right now, it appears that front seven is 10 times the mess that the secondary is. If we do look at the secondary it appears safety certainly trumps the corner position in terms of need.

Last season we were all screaming about how Veach ignored the CB position but it hasn't really been an issue thus far.

Chris Jones is the only player on the defensive line to get an occasional push. The linebackers are horrendous; they can't fill against the run and they can't cover anyone. Some of the filling is attributable to the DL not being able to occupy blockers, but there just seems to be diagnosis issues by the LBs. Justin Houston remains a good player, but he doesn't have the same burst to bend the edge to the QB. Ford is a free agent. The depth behind Ford and Houston has been garbage with it looking like Speaks needing to play DE.

So, my thought process right now is that the Chiefs will, once again, not consider CB a priority position to draft and they may be right if that's how it plays out. Not only that, the CB market next offseason may have some quality gap fillers, similar to or better than Scandrick.

It seems that DE, OLB, ILB, and SS may be top priorities.

What say you?

pugsnotdrugs19 · 10-11-2018, 02:34 PM

The free agency class is pretty loaded on defense, specifically safety and DL. Veach always talks about attacking deeper position areas in the draft/FA based on what that position holds in the draft and/or FA.

So, strong FA class at safety + weak safety draft class to me means we’re going to be buying a new starter. Potentially Earl Thomas.

I think they maybe sign a corner but probably go cheap there again and draft someone early. Maybe Ward and/or Smith develop into quality players, at least one of them.

Front 7 will have to sort itself out this season. If Ford keeps his play up, you have to tag him IMO. Think you have to add to the pass rush in both FA and the draft, but our nose tackles are locked up for 2019 (Nnadi/Williams). I think we need to look into adding another starter caliber ILB too as Ragland just doesn’t fit the new age NFL very well. He’s only good for 2 downs, and if we can find a guy who can go 3 downs, it’d be an amazing addition.

OKchiefs · 10-11-2018, 06:10 PM

Ideally you should be drafting before a huge need comes up. I doubt Scandrick is here next year. Nelson is often injured and Fuller is decent but only one guy. I'd say corner is still definitely a huge need. I would go with BPA through the first several rounds though, we should get a quality talent whether that is CB, S, pass rusher, etc. Just no more God damn tweeners or 2-3 year projects.

Halfcan · 10-12-2018, 09:05 AM

I hope we can get a great player with that # 32 draft spot!

Sully · 10-12-2018, 09:06 AM

I'm slowly formulating a theory that spending big money on ANY defensive star is a waste, the way NFL rules are heading. Put a replacement level defense on the field, and see how good you can make your offense. Get 1 or 2 stops a game, and roll.

DJ's left nut · 10-12-2018, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sully

I'm slowly formulating a theory that spending big money on ANY defensive star is a waste, the way NFL rules are heading. Put a replacement level defense on the field, and see how good you can make your offense. Get 1 or 2 stops a game, and roll.

Give me 9 average players and 2 good ones on defense and I'm content.

11 replacement level guys puts you in a spot where you struggle to get off the field and just slowly bleed out. You need a guy or two out there who can make a play on occasion to kill a drive. Houston, Ford and Jones have been those guys to this point.

Gimme 2 of those guys going forward and replace the Ragland/Murray level guys with just a couple more halfway decent players and suddenly this defense is pretty solid.

We damn sure don't need anymore $16 million safeties and our $8 million ILB isn't looking too hot at this point either, unfortunately.

Chargem · 10-14-2018, 04:42 AM

DE - I think I would be looking first round draft pick here, AND a medium sized (maybe 2 year deal) on a free agent acquisition. No harm in having some depth and not putting pressure on a kid to be a starter week 1. I like how Bailey has played this year but he shouldn't be retained.

OLB - Ford is playing great and I hope it continues, but I don't think I would want to tag or retain him. He's doing a good job getting after the passer, but he's still a liability in coverage, the run game and also injury prone.

This one is a little too early to say, but I'm hoping one of Orchard Kpass and Speaks shows enough while Houston is injured that you feel okay rolling with one of them as your starter and maybe add some depth if there's a guy you like 2nd or 3rd round. I'm saying this without knowing Orchards contract situation.

ILB - I liked Ragland last year but he doesn't look healthy and even if he did he isn't a good pair with Hitchens. If O'Daniel gets some snaps and looks good, maybe you feel okay having O'Daniel and Sorenson but if you get nothing from O'Daniel this year you have to add there somehow. I have no idea what the FA market is like for coverage linebackers.

CB - I'm okay with how Scandrick is doing right now but I wouldn't bring him back. I also don't know about Nelson, I feel like I see some good plays and some bad ones from him every week. If he can be retained for the right price, I'd probably do it.

After that, we're getting into too many unknowns. If the coaching staff feel that Ward and Smith are worthy of getting snaps, maybe you just add in the draft if you get a shot at a guy you like in the 2nd or 3rd. Or if you aren't comfortable with Smith and Ward, maybe you look for a smaller FA acquisition like EJ Gaines or Rashaan Melvin to fill in for a year or two. I'd definitely be adding via FA if Nelson isn't coming back.

Safety - It's going to be unpopular but this is where I would make the splashy FA acquisition, I really like the idea of adding Thomas or Mathieu. Eagles just won a Superbowl paying 2 safeties, they impact both the run and the pass game and so it's more worthwhile splashing the cash on them than a corner, if you can get the right guy.

As a side note, my god do I wish we took Jessie Bates in the 2nd round.

In all of the above, I guess I'm suggesting spending somewhere between $20-25m of the 2019 cap on 3 defensive FA (Safety, DE, Corner). With about $45m in cap space, that should be doable? I just don't know where that leaves retaining Morse or acquiring a different Center, as to me that's the big hole on offense in 2019 as it stands.

10-11-2018, 02:27 PM
kccrow MVP Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Michigan Casino cash: $-1030000	2019 Draft: How Critical is CB? Watching the Chiefs this season makes me wonder just how critical the CB position is for KC when they head to the offseason. Right now, it appears that front seven is 10 times the mess that the secondary is. If we do look at the secondary it appears safety certainly trumps the corner position in terms of need. Last season we were all screaming about how Veach ignored the CB position but it hasn't really been an issue thus far. Chris Jones is the only player on the defensive line to get an occasional push. The linebackers are horrendous; they can't fill against the run and they can't cover anyone. Some of the filling is attributable to the DL not being able to occupy blockers, but there just seems to be diagnosis issues by the LBs. Justin Houston remains a good player, but he doesn't have the same burst to bend the edge to the QB. Ford is a free agent. The depth behind Ford and Houston has been garbage with it looking like Speaks needing to play DE. So, my thought process right now is that the Chiefs will, once again, not consider CB a priority position to draft and they may be right if that's how it plays out. Not only that, the CB market next offseason may have some quality gap fillers, similar to or better than Scandrick. It seems that DE, OLB, ILB, and SS may be top priorities. What say you?
Posts: 13,987

10-11-2018, 02:34 PM	#2
pugsnotdrugs19 SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS Join Date: Aug 2013 Casino cash: $6649447	The free agency class is pretty loaded on defense, specifically safety and DL. Veach always talks about attacking deeper position areas in the draft/FA based on what that position holds in the draft and/or FA. So, strong FA class at safety + weak safety draft class to me means we’re going to be buying a new starter. Potentially Earl Thomas. I think they maybe sign a corner but probably go cheap there again and draft someone early. Maybe Ward and/or Smith develop into quality players, at least one of them. Front 7 will have to sort itself out this season. If Ford keeps his play up, you have to tag him IMO. Think you have to add to the pass rush in both FA and the draft, but our nose tackles are locked up for 2019 (Nnadi/Williams). I think we need to look into adding another starter caliber ILB too as Ragland just doesn’t fit the new age NFL very well. He’s only good for 2 downs, and if we can find a guy who can go 3 downs, it’d be an amazing addition.
Posts: 29,036

10-12-2018, 09:05 AM	#4
Halfcan In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7327995	I hope we can get a great player with that # 32 draft spot!
Posts: 43,200

10-12-2018, 09:06 AM	#5
Sully It Goes On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lees Summit Casino cash: $10026331	I'm slowly formulating a theory that spending big money on ANY defensive star is a waste, the way NFL rules are heading. Put a replacement level defense on the field, and see how good you can make your offense. Get 1 or 2 stops a game, and roll. __________________ "And I don't wish that girl any bad luck," he said, "but I hope she gets hit with a car." - Tommy Lasorda
Posts: 18,295

10-14-2018, 04:42 AM	#7
Chargem Veteran Join Date: Feb 2018 Casino cash: $1200400	DE - I think I would be looking first round draft pick here, AND a medium sized (maybe 2 year deal) on a free agent acquisition. No harm in having some depth and not putting pressure on a kid to be a starter week 1. I like how Bailey has played this year but he shouldn't be retained. OLB - Ford is playing great and I hope it continues, but I don't think I would want to tag or retain him. He's doing a good job getting after the passer, but he's still a liability in coverage, the run game and also injury prone. This one is a little too early to say, but I'm hoping one of Orchard Kpass and Speaks shows enough while Houston is injured that you feel okay rolling with one of them as your starter and maybe add some depth if there's a guy you like 2nd or 3rd round. I'm saying this without knowing Orchards contract situation. ILB - I liked Ragland last year but he doesn't look healthy and even if he did he isn't a good pair with Hitchens. If O'Daniel gets some snaps and looks good, maybe you feel okay having O'Daniel and Sorenson but if you get nothing from O'Daniel this year you have to add there somehow. I have no idea what the FA market is like for coverage linebackers. CB - I'm okay with how Scandrick is doing right now but I wouldn't bring him back. I also don't know about Nelson, I feel like I see some good plays and some bad ones from him every week. If he can be retained for the right price, I'd probably do it. After that, we're getting into too many unknowns. If the coaching staff feel that Ward and Smith are worthy of getting snaps, maybe you just add in the draft if you get a shot at a guy you like in the 2nd or 3rd. Or if you aren't comfortable with Smith and Ward, maybe you look for a smaller FA acquisition like EJ Gaines or Rashaan Melvin to fill in for a year or two. I'd definitely be adding via FA if Nelson isn't coming back. Safety - It's going to be unpopular but this is where I would make the splashy FA acquisition, I really like the idea of adding Thomas or Mathieu. Eagles just won a Superbowl paying 2 safeties, they impact both the run and the pass game and so it's more worthwhile splashing the cash on them than a corner, if you can get the right guy. As a side note, my god do I wish we took Jessie Bates in the 2nd round. In all of the above, I guess I'm suggesting spending somewhere between $20-25m of the 2019 cap on 3 defensive FA (Safety, DE, Corner). With about $45m in cap space, that should be doable? I just don't know where that leaves retaining Morse or acquiring a different Center, as to me that's the big hole on offense in 2019 as it stands.
Posts: 2,492