Chiefs: ArrowheadOne Writers Q&A – with the 2020 NFL upon us tomorrow evening, the ArrowheadOne writers will answer some relevant questions. Let’s begin with David Bell.
Question: “Hey David (Bell), do you have a Draft Crush for the Chiefs tomorrow?
Answer: How about a WR named, Donovan Peoples-Jones. He stands, 6-2, and weighs 212 lbs. and so he’s a bigger frame guy (like Sammy Watkins). He peaked my interest for several reasons and it raises the question: what’s the reason P-J was an important visit for the Chiefs? He has a master athletic Matrix which is second only to WR Henry Ruggs. His matrix shows he was the top WR in the explosiveness category. His lowest ranking was in SAQ, but still 15th among the rated players which were more than 40. Peoples-Jones was 6th in explosive range, 5th in deep range and ran a 4.48 40, with an impressive vertical 44.5” and long jump of 139”.
Now P-J is not the blazer in the 4.4 range but that’s good speed. He has weaknesses, such as fending off press-man coverage and he needs to work on his get-off & route running but, so do all rookie wideouts. Then again, his speed plus athletic measurements are very, very good… and that he measured #2 in the composite master matrix tells a lot which is probably the reason the Chiefs arranged a visit (be it virtual or not).
P-J has no 3-cone time from the combine, which I would like to see, but still ranked 15th among those measured at Rogue analytics. He’s not going to be an early pick, but probably slotted for rounds 3-or-4… something like that. Still, I doubt he is seen as a Round Two pick… but why? He will benefit from the coaching and other players in KC. He needs bench work, like everyone and the analysis would likely say: he is a big frame receiver who would work out of the slot. He is savvy and has short-cuts and good footwork and although analysts say he is seen as a depth player, it seems to me that the Chiefs see something in him to go for an interview. The Master Matrix score tells me the analysts are missing something: changing his get-off and fighting off press coverage and redirection is coachable.”
Question: Hi Ransom, tell us how this year’s selection process could change, if the Chiefs draft primarily for 2021?
Answer: Both Andy Reid and Steve Spagnuolo are often reluctant to allow rookie contributions, early in the season. The significant decrease in off-season training time seems likely to continue this tradition. If Chiefs don’t anticipate needing play time, from their rookie class this year, it can shift priorities substantially. A player, like Kenneth Murray, with optimal physical traits, may take precedence over Patrick Queen, who is more polished, but smaller. An Offensive Tackle, to cheaply replace Fisher, next year, allowing Chiefs to move him for Cap relief and draft picks, in 2021 makes a lot of sense. A safety to replace Daniel Sorenson, and an edge player who can supplant Tanoh Kpassagnon and/or Alex Okafor also become attractive options. CB would remain a priority, but Chiefs might look for a high upside player, like Noah Igbinoghene over a solid starter, with limited upside, such as Ohio State’s Damon Arnette.
Question: Hi David (Perkins), how do you think the Chiefs will replenish the roster for “Run It Back” 2020?
Answer: The Chiefs have 23 of 25 starters from game 1 and the Super Bowl returning (I included Colquitt, Butker & Winchester). There is no dire need, but positions could be strengthened like LB, CB, and IOL. As we head into the draft, we have 70 roster players, but only 5 draft choices, and 67 final roster spots (55 roster + 12 practice squad).
When looking at filling holes, adding depth, and “next man up”, it is important to quickly glance at the back-ups, injured reserve, and developmental players, who contributed little or nothing to the Super Bowl run.
OL – Allegretti and Rankin received enough playing time, but both are like drafting a new OL in 2020. Hunter, Senat, Barton saw little time, but each may be on borrowed time, hence the signing of Remmers. This also begs the question, do we need IOL or OT in 2020?
TE – The signing of Seals-Jones combined with Yelder, Lovett, Keizer and Mack (4 non contributors in 2019) makes the TE room full. Who will emerge?
WR – Davis and Deiter did not contribute in 2019, so a 2020 draft pick is possible with Watkins and Robinson on 1 year deals.
QB – QB3 battle between Shurmur and Ta’amu (neither contributed in 2019).
RB – D-Train flashed and Washington is proven, leaving Marshall, McGuire and Weber as non-contributors (don’t see a 2020 draft choice here).
DL – Speaks, Hoyett, and Lawrence were non-contributors, but watch for Speaks and Lanier to step up.
Edge – Demone Harris, Ward and Lanier were non-factors, although Harris saw limited time and Chiefs were big on Ward.
LB – Darius Harris and O’Daniel did not contribute (DoD steps up or gets traded). Chiefs big on Harris who was a projected 2nd round in 2019 before injury. Expect a LB to be drafted.
CB – Brown, Lammons and Hamilton may step up in 2020, but expect a 2020 draft choice with Breeland on a 1 year.
Given the shortened off-season expect the Chiefs:
a) to draft conservatively (major programs and plenty of film), then aggressively pursue UDFA’s filled with sleepers from FCS and lesser known FBS schools; and
b) give their 2nd or 3rd years, with high expectations, the chance to “man up”. The Chiefs start Thursday with 5 choices, but there’s another 15 moving into starter or depth roles. This may be even more important than ever before.
Question: Laddie, recently you’ve spoken about drafting a wide-receiver, not for the current year but one to replace Sammy Watkins. Why?
Answer: Brett Veach and Andy Reid are always thinking two steps ahead, while we fans are often stuck in the realities of the present day situation. If they weren’t as fond of Sammy Watkins as they are, they would have cut him already and moved on with re-signing Chris Jones, who they also would love to keep, only they want CJ long term.
Not only are Veach & Reid thinking about the makeup of the team on the field and about making sure they have the right mix of wideout for Patrick Mahomes to throw to (guys who can get open on their own like Sammy did v Richard Sherman in the SB)… But they have their collective heads into the cap every day as well. We talk about ”the cap” and most of us fans immediately think about how much is available right now. Brett and Andy are thinking about what the cap will look like next year… and the next… anytime they make a deal or have a player sign a contract. That’s why Patrick Mahomes doesn’t have a contract yet… because they don’t know yet what the future of the rest of the team will look like so they can’t very well hand out the biggest contract in league history until they do know the answer(s) to that. With Sammy, they can be sure he will want to go and sign a huge deal with another team next year because there’s no way they can offer him a nice deal while courting the Mahomes contract situation. So, if they know Sammy is history in 2021, they will want to prepare for that eventuality now in a draft filled from top to bottom with excellent wide receivers. If K.C. doesn’t take a WR in this draft, I’ll be shocked.
When you think of the Chiefs offense, it’s the passing game you think of first and foremost so if anyone thinks Reid is going to allow that to be diminished in any way, just because a WR is leaving, he’s not.
Question: So, David (Bell), do you still have concerns about the strength of the Chiefs IOL group? If not, why the shift?
Answer: I’ve suggested before that GM Brett Veach draft an offensive lineman each season, if it’s at all viable. I still think this is a good approach to protecting the QB. The Chiefs probably have Pat Mahomes for the next two decades. Remember… Alex Smith suffered a horrid injury and we witnessed Pat Mahomes severe ankle sprain and a dislocated knee this past year as. Quarterbacks are vulnerable. It’s part of the game. The Chiefs need to keep Mahomes britches free of grass stains. Period.
In 2019, the Chiefs started with a designated front five which was immediately tested when LT Eric Fisher was injured and out for eight weeks. The Injury plague grew, with ankle injuries to Andrew Wylie and LDT. Martinas Rankin maturity and experience lent to his playing some darned good football until he was hurt and out for the rest of the season. LDT did return but he was affected playing on an ankle that had not fully recovered. It was around week 10 when Mitchell Schwartz, a total workhorse, missed a snap (ending his streak). Then we learned that if another injury would have occurred, with Schwartz out, that Travis Kelce would have manned the RT position. The inability of Cam Erving to take on the LT role with Fisher out, was a huge problem. It affected the starters to his right: Andrew Wylie, Austin Reiter, LDT and Martinas Rankin. With Mahomes hobbled, the offense was not capable of being the threat that it could have been.
Great recognition should be given Brett Veach for bringing Wiz aboard mid-season. Now, Erving is gone, as is the stable Stefan Wisniewski. Veach has brought in Mike Remmers, a ST/OG. Wiz was not a greatly recognize offensive lineman and Remmers has the same sort of history. but his NFL Experience will benefit to the Front Five. Martinas Rankin didn’t give up a sack in 270+ snaps. Age (25), experience and maturity showed why Rankin was a success after he was acquired from Dallas.
So, injuries negatively affected the play of the offensive line in 2019. It is very true my energy and research shifted. Naturally It dawned on me that Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz are now in their 30’s and not getting younger. That had me thinking about the future of the OT position. The 2020 season sees all the offensive linemen who were an integral part of the team’s success have returned in good health. Add OC/OG Nick Allegretti to the mix this season as he won credos from the coaches in camp and preseason. Now that we know who’s returning along the OL for the 2020 season I turn my attention to a potential OT draft pick:
Ben Bartch who turned heads at the Senior Bowl: mature, quick learner and intelligent. Good feet too. Personality and persona are a total match for the Chiefs.
Ben Bartch is a big talent, fits the team and probably can become a Swing Tackle in year one. He might be acquired as late as round 3 and wouldn’t have to be a starter immediately. My worries have eased considerable about drafting an IOL. Now, I just want the Chiefs to #Runitback. Now I can focus on an OT… like in any other year.
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