The Wild Side
What do we all want from this year’s draft selections? A starting Left Tackle, a starting Center, a #2 Wide Receiver, a starting Linebacker, a backup Tight End, a developmental Edge Rusher, another Cornerback with high quality potential, and an eventual replacement Safety for what “Dirty Dan Sorensen” does, works for me. But let’s be just a little realistic for the sake of this article, (maybe) for as sometimes I tend to wander to the fantasy side of life.
Let’s Start With The Realistic Approach
It’s the same as every year, we want all selections to be productive chess pieces, we want each of them to contribute valuable skills, with a majority of them developing into quality starters skills. So, if we factor in all of these requests or demands then what is listed as my wants of 8 draft picks listed above, while at first, they seem far-fetched, and not likely, it is not impossible in dreamland. Are you bored yet, then hold on and fasten your seatbelts, cause this rocket ship is getting ready for takeoff to dreamland!
Scenario #1
As we get closer to the draft, it’s starting to be a clear picture as to what will happen with the first 4 picks in the draft. Many media prognosticators have the same view as I do, where Quarterbacks will be the first 4 picks selected. Even if the Atlanta Falcons do not want to select a QB, the desires of enough other teams, Denver, Detroit, New England, or Washington could be willing to trade up to the #4 slot. With that happening, we can see that there are four excellent players available at slots #5, #6, #7, and #8, that are not Quarterbacks. There is a day one starting Left Tackle in Penei Sewell, a day one starting Tight End in Kyle Pitts, and two future star Wide Receivers in Ja’Marr Chase and Devonta Smith.
Still in our dream, is it possible for the Chiefs to trade up that high? While this was my first dream, along with many others in the Chiefs Kingdom, it seems as improbable to possibly come to fruition. While I still felt the need to feed my appetite, and whet my thirst, here is what the NFL Mock Draft Simulator allowed me to do, and the trade settings were on strict.
First acting as if I were Brett Veach, I chose to trade with Miami at #18, and I had to give up picks #31, #136, #207, and a Round #2 draft pick in next year’s draft.
Then I chose to trade with Detroit at #7 also received their Round #3 pick in 2022 draft, I had to give up picks #18, #94, and a Round #1 in next year’s draft. So yes, the mock simulator allowed me to trade into the range of the four players that I listed above. Of course, in the real NFL world it would be tougher to do, but not impossible, just means that I had to mortgage the future of the Chiefs franchise.
Now that I was able to get to pick #7 and any one of the previously mentioned future stars are available, how does each one fit into the big picture on the Chiefs roster? Starting With Kyle Pitts as a Tight End would be a fantasy for Chiefs Kingdom, and a living nightmare for 31 other teams. But how would Travis Kelce’s ego accept it, if he knew the plan ahead of time, would he be a true team player and share the catches and spotlight, with his eventual replacement? Even if they were to play together for 3 years and win 3 Super Bowls, ego and pride can be a tough pill to swallow.
As for the Left Tackle Penei Sewell, he will be selected by Cincinnati at pick # 6, is my inclination. Yes, Ja’Marr Chase was a teammate with Joe Burrows at LSU, but the brass of the Bengals goes with need over heart, and the draft is deep in WR talent. That leaves the 2 Wide Receivers to discuss as this #7 choice, which that thought snatches me from my dream. Is the level of these 2 players worth mortgaging the long term future of the Chiefs? No! Returning back to earth now.
Scenario #2
I have already done many mock drafts using the simulator, but at this point I consider them to be useless. No one, nor any computer, nor website can correctly predict what all 32 teams will do with their individual picks. Furthermore, as I don’t have the time or access, that the NFL teams do, to accurately evaluate players, I’m not going to try predicting who the Chiefs will draft, but instead, I’ll show the players at each individual pick, a selection that I think would best fit my original criteria for a dream draft.
Starting Offensive Tackle
The possibility of Brett acquiring talent by trade or free agency has begun to dimmer, as there is no quality left in free agency. A trade for a top tier tackle would take a first round pick in compensation, I do believe. A bridge or stop gap tackle could be acquired with low compensation, but then that’s what we have in newly acquired Kyle Long, as he did produce a pro bowl season as a tackle.
In many fan’s eyes and media discussion circles most have contended that the Chiefs need to draft a potential starting Offensive Tackle with their first round pick. My contention though after all my research, while the OT depth in this year’s draft is ideal, there are too many question marks in regard to the ones that would be available at pick #31. Unless one of the top 3 OTs were to fall to at least pick #20 (4th ranked OT Teven Jenkins projected the Raiders at Pick #17), where Brett Veach could then pull off a trade, then he needs to trade down to the range of picks #35 to #37. At that point in the draft either Alex Leatherwood or Samuel Cosmi have value as starting left tackles.
A Starting Center
At pick #63 in the second round, I like Quinn Meinerz from Wisconsin-Whitewater. Originally, I was enthralled with Creed Humphrey or Landon Dickerson, but neither will last till pick #63. Over time I have grown to expect that Quinn has long term potential to be a quality starting center.
Backup Tight End – 3rd Round Pick #94
For three years in a row now we have seen Andy Reid during training camp attempt to find a player that had the ability to play Tight End/Flanker/Fullback. Tommy Tremble, a tight end from Notre Dame, fits that profile and skillset. The closer that we have closed in on the draft, I’ve observed Tommy steadily climbing up the rankings. I would be overly excited if Andy was finally able to find that triple threat player he’s been searching for.
#2 Wide Receiver – 4th Round Pick #136
Marquez Stephenson has moved up in the draft projection rankings, and his skill set matches much of what the Chiefs desire at the position. No WR will likely start their first year with the Chiefs, but Marquez does make plays from anywhere on the field, he runs end around jet sweeps, has elite speed, good running after the catch, and has return skills.
Edge Rusher – 4th Round Pick # 144
Cameron Sample is a playmaker with the versatility to play multiple positions. He has the ability to rush the quarterback but needs to work on run defense. Steve Spagnuolo loves these types of players and DL coach Brandon Daly, could coach him up enough to produce on obvious passing downs.
Starting Linebacker – 5th Round Pick #175
LB Monty Rice from Georgia has sideline to sideline lateral quickness, possesses the ability to cover RBs on pass coverage. He needs a strength program and to learn how to break through blocks on run defense. Needs improved tight end coverage weight and strength, but with time and coaching up his technique, he could eventually replace Anthony Hitchens with calling of the defense in 2022.
Safety – 5th Round – Pick #181
Devine Diablo from Virginia Tech has much of the same skill set as Dan Sorensen does. He plays the run well as a hybrid S/LB, can blitz, but needs to work on ball skills. Low end expectations would be as a Dirty Dan replacement in 2022, long term expectations would be Tyrann Mathieu eventual replacement.
Cornerback Depth – 6th Round Pick #207
Bryce Thompson from Tennessee is considered a sleeper this late in the draft. Bryce started in 27 games of 32 played with the Vols, mostly as an outside cornerback. In the pass game, Thompson is at his best in press-man coverage, showing good use of his hands and length at the line of scrimmage to disrupt the release and continues to be disruptive with his hands throughout the route stem. In the run game, Thompson has very good play strength and uses his long arms to shed blocks quickly. In the NFL he will need to work on his tendency to grab past the 5 yard mark, and not to lock on watching the Quarterback while losing track of the receiver.
Dream or Reality?
As fans we don’t often get what we need, and as the media assumes what they think we need, predictions do not often come true. Brett Veach drafts for the Chiefs reality fits, not anyone’s dreams, but they could be the same. No GM has a perfect draft history but, Brett does have a higher than average success rate. Brett’s system is not always to draft for immediate use, but many choices have a 2-year plan, where much of the time the players are used as depth in year one while also learning to play the position drafted for. Also, where many times other teams draft for immediate need, Brett often times drafts the best player available, and that is the reason for his high success rate.
Conclusion
When the draft process is completed this year in reality a dream draft by the Chiefs, would be to have selected eight draft choices that produce quality play over a two-year span. Along with the drafted players, we have seen that Brett Veach adds UDFAs every year, so again a dream draft would include another year of success of finding hidden gems to add to the roster. However, I still maintain my same desires for my dream draft as a starting Offensive Tackle, a starting Center, a highly qualified Wide Receiver for depth and to compete as the #2, a potential starting Linebacker to eventually replace Anthony Hitchens, a backup Tight End, a developmental Edge Rusher, another Cornerback with high quality potential, and an eventual replacement Safety for either Daniel Sorenson and/or Tyrann Mathieu. So essentially four starters who are ready to play their first year… then four more picks that are ready to start their second year, and 3-4 quality rotational depth players signed as UDFAs. That’s not too much to ask for is it?
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Alan Haupt — ArrowheadOne
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