Chiefs: Conundrums Occur Daily
by David Bell | April 14, 2019
Ah, the conundrums we face. I sincerely doubt they are as testy as those facing Brett Veach! I have reviewed the previous draft by Brett Veach and deliberated about how he will approach the 2019 draft. As it stood in 2018, I had no clue as it turned out, how the draft would be conducted. The previous year I was a lot closer with one pick a match and the others as position selections that were correct.
Some Sureties
- I am still sure that the Chiefs can pick up a TE that is worth his salt. This is one of my positions on the Offensive side of the ball that will get resolved.
- It is going to be possible and affordable to trade up to select a player but, who is it going to be, and what position, that is the question? It will be costly to trade up and even more costly to trade up to picks 10 to 20. I personally doubt that occurs or is even considered. I can see Brett Veach moving up into the mid or lower twenties to make a top selection. Still, that type of pick has to have that “Can’t miss” attribution. Considering my comments below about Devin Bush, I am not convinced that such is a good move due to player length. All other attributes of Bush are a “Go”.
- Knowing I prefer trading back, it’s possible to trade up and get that potential HoF type player by doing that move up. We’ll see. One such move up would be to trade up to obtain Devin Bush. He may not be the MILB that the team needs but he is an impact player and would be a sure fit for the WILL. OTOH? Dorian O’Daniel appears to be the right type of player for that and he has NFL experience to boot.
- I am not convinced that there is a CB worth the round 1 trade up and I am convinced that the draft at CB is deep. The same is true for a safety. So, what are my considerations otherwise?
- I am comfortable, considering existing CBs that the Chiefs can start Fuller, Ward and Breeland and adding a draft pick that has a very good chance to get into the starter mix in camp and at least be a 2019 contributor. The depth for this type of Corner, or even Safety is very good.
- A recent question made the rounds: “Would I give up my #29 pick to get Jalen Ramsey in a trade?” That this is a potential trade appears to be very possible. Would Brett Veach? Ramsey is only 25. He would be a long term solution though a more costly one. I think I am going to bet on a draft choice as one of my two second round picks rather than make this move. Why? Because I believe in Charvarius Ward. I believe the Chiefs believe in him as well, which gives me a solid starting CB group for now, not later.
- Moving back to the Safety role: the Chiefs need to add a Free Safety. The draft depth here is good as well… better perhaps than CB.
Cases: Positions of Need
My answer is about the same: CB, FS, ILB, TE, OC, and DL. I have concluded that adding a Free Agent CB solution would be a good move, allowing Veach to focus elsewhere. Why? Because there are 6 slots that need filling or depth added and not enough top picks to get that done. I can’t get 6 position needs into the front 4 picks, in other words.
Trade for Ramsey? I can see doing that. Gives me a sure-bet “closer” for CB and I can use the draft to get on to my draft list having assured myself that I have a top CB who is experienced and I won’t have to worry it. If I am the feed to the Coaching staff, such a signing would give me great benefit. I’d get a starter now, and would not have to force Ward into the starting role as quickly. I thus can use Breeland effectively while I keep Fuller in the slot. Indeed, that makes sense to me, but I doubt that such a trade will get made.
At Safety? We signed on Mathieu. I am solid with that. I watch Jordan Lucas and his play late in the season. Sutton should have been playing him as a starter and I feel certain that Lucas is far better than other players that were available in 2018 — except Armani Watts who went down with a core muscle tear and was lost for the season. In 2019? I am of the firm opinion that Watts will be competing for, and will win, the starting job as a safety next to Tyrann Mathieu.
Given Those Cases: a Few More
- I do not believe that Breeland Speaks draft pick was a poor one. Speaks will be an integral part of the starting front four for Steve Spagnuolo’s defense. I am convinced that as a 43 DE he will perform very well. Which gives us some solid players for DE.
- Ditto Derrick Nnadi. Nnadi developed all during the season in 2018 and the off-season saw him working with a pass rush specialist. He is a hungry player and will be a solid piece of the defensive front position puzzle. So, his being a draft pick was not a mistake and he fits where the chiefs are headed with the new 43.
- Let’s go back to the Linebackers: if I am going after a futures investment player to add to the roster, and it’s going to be a round 1 pick, I want to move up for Devin Bush and play him on the outside. Unlike many others, I like the addition of Damien Wilson to the roster as a SAM. I see Ragland, and not Hitchens, in the middle but moving the “Hit-Man” outside. Ragland is more of a traditional ILB and of a size that fits the middle. In games in 2018 where he was released by Sutton to hit the gaps, he played well. Ditto Hitchens. Sutton had them frequently in read and react mode, 5 and yards off the LoS — and that didn’t work. Ragland has the speed from tackle to tackle. Hitchens and O’Daniel — the WILL — has the speed the MILB as a smaller man playing the position. It’s not the world of Dick Butkus or Willie Lanier anymore. I like Wilson as the SAM but, let me point out that Bush might be the new world of quicker, smaller Linebackers.
Further Observations
- I am not convinced that any DE or DT available in round 1 cannot be matched by existing players on the roster nor that as a pick in the 2nd or 3rd round won’t be a solid addition for the front 4. The reason is that those impact-sure-bet type selections are off the board before pick 29.
- I am convinced that two picks on the offense side of the ball need to be made: first on the OL (as I have often written)
a high pick should be made each season for an Offensive Linemen. Two lines of reason exist for such a selection.
- Firstly, a high cost performer who was the #1 pick of the Chiefs in 2013 has not lived up to that draft status. His salary is out of line with his performance. I would like to draft a replacement for Eric Fisher.
- If not, I want to make another free agent signing similar to that of Mitch Schwartz which has been an extremely valuable addition to the Front 5.
- Beyond OT, Veach & Co., with advice and consent of the coaching staff, saw both Mitch Morse and Jordan Devey depart in free Agency. This explains to me that the staff believes that Reiter, Murray and Koroma will be enough for a starting pair and competition intense enough to be valuable to the process.
- At Tight End, we have a similar need for new blood. Demetrius Harris departed and the Chiefs have added a journeyman TE — Blake Bell — to the roster for experience and solidity. David Wells and Deon Yeldon will provide competition for the 3rd spot but I also think the draft is deep enough to select a TE even in the 3rd round who can be an impact player with ball skills and be a contributor out of the gate. The reason? Travis Kelce is in surgery recovery and rehab so a perfect opportunity to rush a young “titan” to the fore.
What we have here?
Interesting variations: C.O.D. (Cash on Delivery) and Conundrums Occur Daily. It’s up to Brett Veach to resolve either condition. I am good with that.
David Bell — ArrowheadOne
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