It’s all quiet around fandom in the Chief’s Kingdom. Brett Veach does not rest. He will attend Church or Mass but will be involved in the business of advancing the Chief’s fortunes. ArrowheadOne is missing several contributors, including our illustrious Lead, Ladner Morse. My first thought for the day is to pray for him. I miss his voice, our conversations, and exchanges. This week, he is headed to Rehab. That’s undoubtedly good news.
The Past Week in the Kingdom
One of our closest followers and contributors to the ArrowheadOne Chief’s Conversation, “Merlin,” lay out for ArrowheadOne, his list for the Veach effort in acquiring talent in the draft. My list is very similar to his. He wrote: Edge, WR, and CB on my first tier. The Second Tier: Edge, DT, and WR2. I cannot fault the list or the priority. I have naturally started doing mock drafts because we are a bit more than two weeks from day one of the Round One of the draft(April 28th).
One Rumor that I heard interests me. Trading up into the top 10 to acquire Christian Wilson(WR).
Who knows whether that is a close to the vest rumor or not. I have no source information to compare the data, so take that with a grain of salt or two. Such a trade would be very costly, and I think it is incorrect to believe it would happen for a WR. Far better to trade up to about Pick 20 and acquire Jameson Williams(Alabama WR). I do not think that will happen either. Those round one and two picks could bring solutions for the exposures on the Roster, including WR. For example, I think a CB, DE, and WR could be drafted with the first three picks. All three of such players would have starter potential. The fourth pick in the draft could be golden as well.
If Jameson Williams were Veach’s target, he would need to use two picks to move up to pick 18-20. My current idea is to grab George Pickens(Alabama). Lately, he has fallen in appreciation and could be drafted with pick 30. My usual focus is defense. We could select a highly ranked DE and a CB with the first two picks in the list above. From those two picks, Veach will be able to obtain players who will be immediate starters. The following draft pick, Round two, pick #18, will be essential. Here too, I feel that Brett Veach will be able to draft a starter quality player. In this imagined draft, a WR would be that selection. Of course, the top players are gone As I am writing this article, Skyy Moore slipped past me. In my example, I drafted George Pickens(WR, Alabama) or a couple of worthy receivers who would be great fits for the KC offense. Surprisingly, I was able to draft Jermaine Johnson(DE, FSU) and Andrew Booth(CB, Clemson). I believe that something very similar will present itself to Brett Veach. With the 4th pick, I chose Logan Hall(DT, UofH). It could have been another player on my “to-draft” list. This time, it was Hall. I think all four of the first four picks will be starters in the NFL. Opening Day? Maybe, maybe not. If Brett Veach and his staff have identified the right players, it is possible in this mighty Kansas City Draft.
Brett Veach – Calling Around the NFL for a Veteran WR
This was more than just a rumor. Nothing came of the phone calls last week. I could understand acquiring a Veteran talent as long as it didn’t put the Chiefs back in the red with available cap space.
Veach Acquired Veteran DT Taylor Stallworth
I applaud bringing Stallworth to the Roster. He does have an upside that is largely untapped and was emerging with the Colts in 2021. The contract was highly efficient as well. My hope is that Stallworth can fold in and build on the pass-rush success that he had begun with the Colts. I can see him platooned with Derrick Nnadi opposite Chris Jones.
Stallworth’s contract is exactly what the Doctor Ordered: Stallworth’s one-year contract carries a $1.035 million minimum base salary. $300,000 is guaranteed at signing and in the event of injury or otherwise. He’ll receive an additional $152,500 in roster bonus. He’ll count just $1,047,500 against the 2022 salary cap. There is still $18m+ cap space available. That cap hit is basically a Vet Minimum level commitment.
Jermaine Carter, Jr. (LB) – Former Panther Signed
This is another Free Agent Signing and worthy of mention because Carter Will immediately fit the LB group that is missing three Chiefs players: Hitchens, Niemann, and O’Daniel.
Photo Credit -Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Carter signed a one-year contract for $1.77m, which is his cap hit. Carter provides veteran experience to the LB group.
That’s the last of the recent business I want to cover. It may not seem that things are being accomplished. I assure you that these are meaningful signings – role players who will have an impact in 2022.
David Bell – ArrowheadOne