Walter Football's KC Chiefs Draft Analysis

[Tribal Warfare]

2010 NFL Offseason: Kansas City Chiefs

Draft Grades, Season Previews, Offseason Needs, Free Agents

Kansas City Chiefs (Last Year: 4-12)

2010 NFL Draft Grades:

5. Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Eric Berry's probably going to be a stud, but taking a safety in the top five is a very questionable move. (Pick Grade: B)

36. Dexter McCluster, RB/WR/KR, Ole Miss
Dexter McCluster is a luxury pick. If some team with few needs wanted to take him in Round 2, that would have been fine. The Chiefs don't have that luxury because of all of their primary needs. (Pick Grade: C)

50. Javier Arenas, CB/KR, Alabama
The Chiefs just drafted a nickel corner and kick returner when they still have issues with quarterback protection and pass rush. Not a good weekend to be a Chiefs fan. (Pick Grade: C)

68. Jon Asamoah, G, Illinois
I'm going to ignore the whole Branden Albert issue here because Jon Asamoah is a skilled second-round prospect. Many had him as the No. 2 guard. The Chiefs had to improve the offensive line. (Pick Grade: A)

93. Tony Moeaki, TE, Iowa
I'm a big Tony Moeaki fan - as long as he stays healthy. It always seemed like he was injured at Iowa. If he can stay on the field, he should be a great weapon for Matt Cassel. (Pick Grade: B)

136. Kendrick Lewis, FS, Ole Miss
A reach, but that doesn't matter much in Round 5. Kendrick Lewis fills a need, so this makes sense. (Pick Grade: C)

142. Cameron Sheffield, DE/OLB, Troy
Cameron Sheffield is a quality value here and fills a major position of need. The Chiefs have not been able to get to the quarterback for years. (Pick Grade: B)

Key Undrafted Free Agents:
# Nathan Ivey, NT, Maryland
# Bill Stull, QB, Pittsburgh





Season Summary:
I think most of us can now confirm that handing out $63 million to noodle-armed quarterbacks doesn't work. Sadly, there are some who will still argue this. But just imagine if the Chiefs just selected Mark Sanchez at No. 3 overall and used their second-round choice on someone like Ziggy Hood (would have to trade up a few spots) or Rey Maualuga. You can say hindsight is 20-20, but several people actually mocked these players to Kansas City back in January.






Offseason Moves:
# Chiefs re-sign ILB Corey Mays
# Chiefs re-sign QB Brodie Croyle
# Chiefs re-sign OT Ryan O'Callaghan
# Chiefs re-sign C Rudy Niswanger
# Chiefs re-sign OT Barry Richardson
# Chiefs re-sign CB Maurice Leggett
# Chiefs re-sign FB Mike Cox
# Chiefs re-sign ILB Derrick Johnson
# Chiefs announce retirement of QB Quinn Gray
# Chiefs sign G Ryan Lilja
# Chiefs sign C Casey Wiegmann
# Chiefs sign WR Jerheme Urban
# Texans sign G/C Wade Smith
# Chiefs sign DE/DT Shaun Smith
# Chiefs sign RB Thomas Jones
# Chiefs re-sign WR Chris Chambers
# Colts sign G/C Andy Alleman
# Chiefs tender RB Jackie Battle
# Chiefs tender S Jarrad Page
# Chiefs re-sign DE/OLB Mike Vrabel
# Chiefs cut G Mike Goff
# Chiefs re-sign QB Matt Gutierrez
# Chiefs re-sign RB Kolby Smith


Offseason Needs:

1. Left Tackle: Branden Albert didn't allow a sack in his final six games, so one would think that he really improved toward the end of the season. However, that's an incorrect assumption. Albert still allowed lots of pressures; his sack total was simply down because Matt Cassel released the ball quicker or just handed it off to Jamaal Charles. The left tackle position is still in desperate need of an upgrade, so Russell Okung is the likely pick at No. 5. Albert would then play guard, which would give the Chiefs two upgrades for the price of one.

2. Quarterback: This need obviously won't be addressed anytime soon because Matt Cassel is somehow the third-highest paid quarterback in the NFL. Think about that one for a second.

3. Nose Tackle: Ron Edwards is not a starting-caliber nose tackle. Terrence Cody and Cam Thomas will be considered atop Round 2 of the 2010 NFL Draft. Signed Shaun Smith

4. Rush Linebacker: The Chiefs had just 22 sacks in 2009, and 8.5 of them came from Tamba Hali. A pass-rusher might be added in the early rounds this April.

5. Center: Even when Kansas City's offensive line improved toward the end of the 2009 season, the center position was still a glaring weakness. An early pick will be used to upgrade Rudy Niswanger. Also, the addition of Russell Okung would push Brian Waters from guard to center. Make that three upgrades for the price of one. The No. 5 overall selection must be Okung. Signed Casey Wiegmann

6. No. 2 Wide Receiver: Chris Chambers was impressive last year since joining the Chiefs, but was likely just playing for a contract. I would not feel comfortable with Chambers as my No. 2 wideout. A receiver could be drafted in Rounds 3-4 this April. Re-signed Chris Chambers

7. Strong Safety: It was imperative that the Chiefs cut Bernard Pollard; he was too talented for their defense and room had to be made for veteran Mike Brown.

8. Free Safety: Can the Chiefs really go with the tandem of Jon McGraw, Jarrad Page and DaJuan Morgan at free safety again in 2010?

9. Defensive End: Despite all of the resources the Chiefs have used to upgrade their defensive line, they are still really hurting up front. Glenn Dorsey is a poor fit for the 3-4; Tyson Jackson had a horrible rookie campaign; and Alex Magee barely played. Kansas City will likely allow Dorsey, Jackson and Magee to grow together for another year, but it's not looking good at the moment.

10. Inside Linebacker: Position No. 439,129,695,238 that needs to be upgraded. Demorrio Williams and Corey Mays starting over Derrick Johnson? Seriously?

11. Right Guard: If the Chiefs take Russell Okung, they can move Branden Albert into this position (though he'll probably go to left guard, and Brian Waters would move to center). Signed Ryan Lilja

12. Slot Receiver: Lance Long and Bobby Wade aren't the answer in the slot. Signed Jerheme Urban

13. Return Specialist: Jamaal Charles won't be returning kicks anymore. Bobby Wade also needs to be upgraded as the punt-returner.

14. Cornerback Depth: Yep, this is needed too.

15. Power Running Back: Someone to complement the electrifying Jamaal Charles could be taken in the later rounds of the 2010 NFL Draft. Signed Thomas Jones

2010 NFL Free Agent Signings:

1. Thomas Jones, RB, Jets. Age: 32.
Signed with Chiefs (2 years, $5 million)

Thomas Jones would be a quality signing for one year. However, he's 32 and wore down at the end of last season. The tank is nearing empty.

2. Ryan Lilja, G, Colts. Age: 28. -- Signed with Chiefs (3 years)
3. Casey Wiegmann, C, Broncos. Age: 37. -- Signed with Chiefs (1 year)
4. Jerheme Urban (RFA), WR, Cardinals. Age: 29. -- Signed with Chiefs




Kansas City Chiefs Free Agents:

Salary Cap (As of Jan. 16): No cap.

1. Derrick Johnson (RFA), ILB, Chiefs. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Chiefs (1 year, $2.6 million)

Derrick Johnson started only three games in 2009 because he was too talented for Todd Haley's defense. Johnson has absolutely no chance of starting in 2010 after his two pick-sixes against the Broncos in the season finale.

2. Ryan O'Callaghan (RFA), OT, Chiefs. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Chiefs (1 year, $1.7 million)

Ryan O'Callaghan played very well down the stretch, but I'm not overly confident that he's the long-term answer at right tackle for the Chiefs.

3. Chris Chambers, WR, Chiefs. Age: 32.
Re-signed with Chiefs (3 years, $15 million; $5.9 million guaranteed)

Being cut by the Chargers served as a wake-up call for Chris Chambers, who eclipsed the 70-yard barrier five times in nine games with the Chiefs. Having said that, I wouldn't be able to trust Chambers with a new contract.

4. Corey Mays (RFA), ILB, Chiefs. Age: 26.
Re-signed with Chiefs (1 year, $1.7 million)

A backup inside linebacker pushed into the starting lineup because of the front office's ineptness, Corey Mays really struggles against the run.

5. Wade Smith, G/C, Chiefs. Age: 29.
Signed with Texans (4 years, $12 million; $6.25 million guaranteed)

Wade Smith played well down the stretch. He can fill in at both guard and center.

6. Mike Vrabel, DE/OLB, Chiefs. Age: 35.
Re-signed with Chiefs

It's sad to see Mike Vrabel decline like this. Vrabel had just two sacks in 2009, but was still effective against the run.

7. Brodie Croyle (RFA), QB, Chiefs. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Chiefs (1 year, $1.7 million)

I'm not sure if Brodie Croyle isn't the best quarterback on the Chiefs. That's how mediocre Matt Cassel is.

8. Mike Cox (ERFA), RB, Chiefs. Age: 25. -- Re-signed with Chiefs (1 year)
9. Jarrad Page (RFA), FS, Chiefs. Age: 25. -- Tendered by Chiefs (2nd round)
10. Rudy Niswanger (RFA), C, Chiefs. Age: 27. -- Re-signed with Chiefs (1 year, $1.7 million)
11. Maurice Leggett (ERFA), CB, Chiefs. Age: 23. -- Re-signed with Chiefs
12. Andy Studebaker (RFA), DE/OLB, Chiefs. Age: 24. -- Re-signed with Chiefs
13. Bobby Wade, WR, Chiefs. Age: 29.
14. Mike Goff, G, Chiefs. Age: 34.
15. Andy Alleman (ERFA), G, Chiefs. Age: 26. - Signed with Colts
16. Barry Richardson (ERFA), OT, Chiefs. Age: 24. -- Re-signed with Chiefs
17. Kolby Smith (ERFA), RB, Chiefs. Age: 25. -- Re-signed with Chiefs
18. Matt Gutierrez (ERFA), QB, Chiefs. Age: 26. -- Re-signed with Chiefs
19. Jackie Battle (ERFA), RB, Chiefs. Age: 26. -- Tendered by Chiefs

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

I'm sorry, but I'm not buying this bullshit that Philly was taking him.

There's no way in hell they were taking a guy that at absolute best, in a fantasy world, gives you what you already have in Jackson and Maclin - over Nate Allen.

There's the story about Philly. And Pioli made a comment that there were 3 teams looking to take him soon after.

Couple that with Rick Gosselin saying that he was the top 3 WR and/or the top 3 RB on a lot of team's boards.

Palantonio knows a lot about Philly. Pioli doesn't have incentive to lie about how many teams were interested. And Gosselin is one of the best in the biz.

The idea that this was a reach is.... well, a reach.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

There's the story about Philly. And Pioli made a comment that there were 3 teams looking to take him soon after.

Couple that with Rick Gosselin saying that he was the top 3 WR and/or the top 3 RB on a lot of team's boards.

Palantonio knows a lot about Philly. Pioli doesn't have incentive to lie about how many teams were interested. And Gosselin is one of the best in the biz.

The idea that this was a reach is.... well, a reach.

McCluster better gawd dam be everything and a bag of chips for us to pass up on everything with did.

there were plenty of 1st round talent guys still on the board that filled a much bigger position of need and we passed on them for McCluster.

McCluster better be Reggie Bush and Wes Welker all rolled up into one.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Laz

McCluster better gawd dam be everything and a bag of chips for us to pass up on everything with did.

there were plenty of 1st round talent guys still on the board that filled a much bigger position of need and we passed on them for McCluster.

McCluster better be Reggie Bush and Wes Welker all rolled up into one.

You're again talking about a need-based draft. You take the best on your board, period.

And yes, for this to be a good pick, he needs to get around 800+ all-purpose yards (not including return yards).

And how do you define "need"? Maybe Weis' version of a need is different from ours. Case-in-point, how many people here are bitching about the Moeaki pick in favor of one-dimensional pass catchers, even if that's not the type of tight end Weis wants.

And by the way, guarantee that most of the players we're bitching about passing up on are going to be average rotational players at the very best.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by OleMissCub

still amazed people are still bitching about McCluster's speed. Maybe if all you ever looked at was that one combine time and never saw a second of his game film it would be understandable..but at this point surely everyone has seen clip after clip of him completely burning guys in the most athletic football conference.

If you want to bitch about his size, durability, whatever, then fine, but stop bitching about his speed. He can flat out fly.

Yeah, that's just completely ridiculous.

They don't mention that McCluster absolutely dominated the short-shuttle and agility drills. I don't know when 40 times became such a gold standard for speed. Based on watching tape and his combine, the reason the kid is dynamic isn't speed, it's because he can changing direction and speed and cutting. When you're talking about slants and underneath routes in the slot, a position where you're usually not bumped at the line, I would easily take those skills over straight-line speed.

Sure, he's not the home run threat that Golden Tate was, but he has potential to be far more dangerous with the underneath stuff, which is a lot more valuable for the slot in a Weis offense. And his ability to cut/change direction as he does makes him a far more valuable open field weapon.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

You're again talking about a need-based draft. You take the best on your board, period.

And yes, for this to be a good pick, he needs to get around 800+ all-purpose yards (not including return yards).

And how do you define "need"? Maybe Weis' version of a need is different from ours. Case-in-point, how many people here are bitching about the Moeaki pick in favor of one-dimensional pass catchers, even if that's not the type of tight end Weis wants.

And by the way, guarantee that most of the players we're bitching about passing up on are going to be average rotational players at the very best.

and i contend that there were several guys that were actually BPA over McCluster and still filled a more impactful need than McCluster does.

just one quick example:

instead of grabbing McCluster, we grab safety Nate Allen to pair up with Eric Berry.

we now have one of the youngest and most talented secondary in the NFL with Flowers,Allen,Berry,Carr. Both safeties can cover like cornerbacks but are built and tackle like safeties. Totally sic

since we took Allen we don't have to take Lewis in the 5th and we can grab a KR/PR specialist guy there like CB/KR Parrish Cox. With Cox around we don't need Arenas and we could of grab a stud LB or NT(2/3 LB's and 2/3 NT's to choose from) at 2b and our draft looks really freaking solid.

Maybe not as flashy, but still we got really good players and filled really important needs.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

You're again talking about a need-based draft. You take the best on your board, period.

The MUCH bigger need was a pass rusher or ILB, both of which were available when we picked.

Here's the problem: If McCLuster was higher on our board than Koa Misi and Dary Washington, then we have a bigger problem.

They both fit a bigger need and would have fit the BPA.

I've been waiting for over a week for someone to find me one reputable analyst that had McCluster as a Top 40 prospect.

So don't act like we didn't reach. We did. For a position that Pioli felt was more important than the two biggest weaknesses on the defense.

[Brock]

Who's a reputable analyst?

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by Brock

Who's a reputable analyst?

Hell, at this point find anyone that had him as a Top 40 prospect.

We can debate "reputable" later.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

The MUCH bigger need was a pass rusher or ILB, both of which were available when we picked.

Here's the problem: If McCLuster was higher on our board than Koa Misi and Dary Washington, then we have a bigger problem.

They both fit a bigger need and would have fit the BPA.

I've been waiting for over a week for someone to find me one reputable analyst that had McCluster as a Top 40 prospect.

So don't act like we didn't reach. We did. For a position that Pioli felt was more important than the two biggest weaknesses on the defense.

If Palantonio is telling the truth, and he's better informed than anyone about the Eagles

If Pioli is telling the truth, and why would he not

And if Gosselin is right about mcCluster being a top 3 WR AND top 3 RB on a lot of teams boards, and Gosselin is one of the most informed of any draft-day sources

Then McCluster was a BPA. And at a position we currently need.

You're putting a lot more emphasis on need over BPA.

[Saul Good]

I wanted Clausen and Cody in the second, but I don't mind this pick. When last season started, Defensive Coordinators maybe worried a little bit about Bowe. Nobody else on our offense required a second thought.

This year, we'll have Bowe, Charles, and McCluster. That's 3 guys who can make plays. Combine that with what should be improved play at Guard with Lilja, Center play with Wiegmann, and hopefully an improvement at LT from Albert, and we are going to be greatly improved versus opening week last season.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Laz

and i contend that there were several guys that were actually BPA over McCluster and still filled a more impactful need than McCluster does.

just one quick example:

instead of grabbing McCluster, we grab safety Nate Allen to pair up with Eric Berry.

we now have one of the youngest and most talented secondary in the NFL with Flowers,Allen,Berry,Carr. Both safeties can cover like cornerbacks but are built and tackle like safeties. Totally sic

since we took Allen we don't have to take Lewis in the 5th and we can grab a KR/PR specialist guy there like CB/KR Parrish Cox. With Cox around we don't need Arenas and we could of grab a stud LB or NT(2/3 LB's and 2/3 NT's to choose from) at 2b and our draft looks really freaking solid.

Maybe not as flashy, but still we got really good players and filled really important needs.

A few points of contention. The first being that unless you have Eric Berry, a Safety is NOT a position that carries high positional value. I think McCluster will play as valuable a role as Allen if not moreso. Yeah, you could argue he was among the BPA, but if you factor in need, weren't people on here complaining that our safeties can't cover if there's no pass rush?

To the second point, with Cox you have a character-issue guy who's decent in kick coverage and is a lot slower to play the corner position. With Arenas, you have a bona fide nickel corner and coverage guy. I think we may have reached a little on Arenas, but I don't have a huge problem taking a guy who plays two pretty important roles.

And finally, most of these players we're talking about. Apart from Kindle, are any of these guys really playmakers? They look like they have potential to play their position well enough, but none are going to add electricity. We again go into the debate of whether this team needs playmakers or players who can solidify their positions, and it's interesting that this board has shifted gears from one position to another entirely with the McCluster pick.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

A few points of contention. The first being that unless you have Eric Berry, a Safety is NOT a position that carries high positional value. I think McCluster will play as valuable a role as Allen if not moreso. Yeah, you could argue he was among the BPA, but if you factor in need, weren't people on here complaining that our safeties can't cover if there's no pass rush?

To the second point, with Cox you have a character-issue guy who's decent in kick coverage and is a lot slower to play the corner position. With Arenas, you have a bona fide nickel corner and coverage guy. I think we may have reached a little on Arenas, but I don't have a huge problem taking a guy who plays two pretty important roles.

And finally, most of these players we're talking about. Apart from Kindle, are any of these guys really playmakers?

he's a defensive playmaker

Nate Allen

College Stats: Finished with 144 solo tackles (five for loss) and 80 assists. Intercepted nine passes, broke up 12 more, recovered four fumbles and a blocked field goal, and scored three touchdowns.

or heck we could of waited until round 3 for S Morgan Burnett

bottomline is that there were much less "gadgety" players that are going to be quality starters in the NFL available at virtually every position and we took a speedier version of Dante Hall..

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by Laz

he's a defensive playmaker

Nate Allen

College Stats: Finished with 144 solo tackles (five for loss) and 80 assists. Intercepted nine passes, broke up 12 more, recovered four fumbles and a blocked field goal, and scored three touchdowns.

or heck we could of waited until round 3 for S Morgan Burnett

bottomline is that there were much less "gadgety" players that are going to be quality starters in the NFL available at virtually every position and we took a speedier version of Dante Hall..

If you're looking at pure stats, Allen's stats are not that different from Kendrick Lewis. Nate Allen is going to be a decent Safety. He's not going to be a playmaker. He doesn't have enough pure speed. He's just a guy who is very solid at his position.

And the Dante Hall comparisons are ridiculous. Dante Hall was a really shitty receiver who ran below average routes and was only capable of catching short hitch routes or long fly routes. According to Rick Gosselin, McCluster was listed as one of the top 3 WRs on many teams' boards. He can do a hell of a lot more things than Dante Hall did. Dante was a great player once the ball was in his hands, but he was very below average at doing anything before that point. From an offensive standpoint, he was NOT a playmaker.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501

If Palantonio is telling the truth, and he's better informed than anyone about the Eagles

If Pioli is telling the truth, and why would he not

And if Gosselin is right about mcCluster being a top 3 WR AND top 3 RB on a lot of teams boards, and Gosselin is one of the most informed of any draft-day sources

Then McCluster was a BPA. And at a position we currently need.

You're putting a lot more emphasis on need over BPA.

He was 55th on Gosselin's Top 100 list.

Not sure why you think using Gosselin helps your case.

And thinking we need a slot WR more than a pass rusher or ILB is why this team has 10 wins in the last 3 years.

[chiefzilla1501]

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

He was 55th on Gosselin's Top 100 list.

Not sure why you think using Gosselin helps your case.

And thinking we need a slot WR more than a pass rusher or ILB is why this team has 10 wins in the last 3 years.

Gosselin also gave the Chiefs an A+ and has raved about the McCluster pick. He mentions pretty clearly in his top 100 that it is not a mock draft. When a guy like Gosselin believes that a player went where he belonged, then you believe that McCluster was taken at the right value. Remember, this is a guy that was very critical of the Chiefs' 2009 draft.

Funny that we're moving the uprights. I thought a few weeks ago, we were talking about the Chiefs lacking playmakers, and that was the reason why this team doesn't win games. Isn't that the reason why this board demanded Berry over Okung? Or demanded Berry over McClain? Inside Linebacker is more important than Safety. But the Chiefs made the right move because Berry is a playmaker and McClain is not.