Chiefs: Peeking Into the Crystal Ball

Chiefs: Peeking Into the Crystal Ball

by David Bell | January 4, 2019

It’s Always a Fun Diversion

We fans are in a hiatus until next week when practices gets going and hopefully with great news on LDT, Watkins, and Berry (as well as others, such as Nnadi). Today? There is no injury report. No practices. There are workouts. So, I am going to turn the page forward beyond the Super Bowl to a time leading up to the 2019 draft.

There was a humorous post on Twitter where a discussion point was made and a query immediately followed: can he play Cornerback? Too Funny!

I don’t believe the Chiefs are in bad shape here. Two quick points. Kendall Fuller and Steven Nelson have been solid defenders this season. Charvarius Ward is a very good press-man coverage player with good footwork, SAQ and the ability to mirror as well as recover. His OJT is standing him in good stead for his future. I am very upbeat about Ward. Tremon Smith is also a good defender with much the same traits but he is our kick returner and won’t get to Compete until 2019’s pre-season.

So with that in mind, turn the page! I think what would really help is adding a corner with length. I want someone who can mix in a cover the taller WRs and even  TE’s. I would also like to add another top press man cover player and there are both such type cornerbacks in this draft.

Corner’s with Length

Amani Oruwariye – 6-1, 204, Penn State. At this moment for a player with length at cornerback Amani Oruwariye from Penn State is my choice. He is likely to be taken in the first round in this year’s draft.

Trayvon Mullen – 6-1, 194, Clemson. The thing I like about Mullen is that he is physical and can match with bigger and taller receivers.  His SAQ is not great (tight hips) but with bigger players he won’t have a disadvantage. I want to see him now at the Combine because he fits either up in the face, bump and run and Press-man and could handle Tight ends. Additionally? I think he is now 6-2 and will go in round 2.

Corners to mix and match

Byron Murphy – 6-0, 175, Washington – Murphy has the fluidity to mirror step for step and the speed to go with it. Due to just completing his sophomore season, where he will go in the draft becomes the question. He has great cover skills. I think he is gone in round 2.

Blace Brown – 6-0, 184, Troy. Brown is a ball hawk. We can use a corner like this–as long as he is a willing tackler.

Okay, with Kendall Fuller, Steven Nelson, Charvarius Ward and Tremon Smith, and 2 of the above, our cornerback crew should be significantly improved when the 2019 season rolls around.

Aggression on the Defensive Front:

Adding to Chris Jones 34DE with a Bookend?

To put aggressiveness in front of the corners that pressure QBs constantly, we need another 34DE. I have three targets for the role at this moments but if you want the secondary to play better ball you have to pressure the QB and for me that means finding a mirror for Jones in this draft. The First 2 are round 1 picks and if Veach is going to get either he is probably going to have to trade up or hope that either of these two are available when Veach makes a selection. Here I am making the observation that by obtaining Brown or Wilkins, we immediately replace Allen Bailey, get an immediate starter and save about $9M in cap space. The problem is going to be that I am likely to give up at least 2 of the above Cornerbacks by making a 34DE selection in round one. Allen Bailey is a very solid defender. So it may come down to viewing which is the more viable and valuable option to the future of the defense. Or… it could be that the Chiefs move Breeland Speaks to that hand-in-the-dirt role.

Derrick Brown – 6-5, 315, Auburn. I am going to sum Brown up the same way Keiper did recently. Scary. There are other players to look at but if I was to target just one it would be Derrick Brown. Mel’s remarks came last year and I think you need to see the film. Two seasons ago, I selected Chris Jones and he certainly fit the bill.  I believe that Derrick Brown would be the perfect book end for Jones. Constant Pressure on the opposing Quarterback is my cup of team. Ford, Houston, Jones AND Brown is where I would really like to go.

Christian Wilkins – 6-4, 300, Clemson. So let me add the one descriptive you need to encourage you to take a look: “… –Flies around like a bat out of hell. Relentless in his efforts: will chase from the backside, string out lateral runs into the boundary, bear crawl in the pocket after losing his footing in an effort to get a piece of the passer… has 2 gap ability. with heavy build from the waste down, he has the natural strength and leverage that will work to his advantage. Feel for the play and ability to mirror backs at the LOS and disengage late is very strong, as is hand placement to out-leverage a blocker in tight spaces to shed and has good balance for penetration and is nimble of foot.

I like Wilkins over the slighter player of the same length…

Isaiah Buggs 6-4, 290, Alabama. Even going at about 290, Buggs should be on the Veach List. He is a handful to block. A later round pick, for example, round 3. Buggs is probably going to weigh in next spring at about 290, and would be a 34DE player. But I really want Brown or Wilkins.

Finding Eric Berry’s Replacement

How do you approach this? I think Berry will return to form in 2019 but I thought that about 2018. I am pretty sure that a surgery will smooth the bone where he is experience pain and soreness now. No matter how you look at things though, Veach has a need to bring in a top safety for the mix. As most of you know, I am a big believer in the talent of Armani Watts. The Chiefs have had high praise for Watts and his improvement until his injury in 2018. Berry and Watts playing at a high level is a good thing.

I have already said so-long, adios and goodbye to Ron Parker and Eric Murray. I want to keep Lucas in the mix. I also like the hustle, team play and spot snap usage of Dan Sorensen. Berry, Watts, Lucas and a player who can become the future and immediate starter to replace Berry should it be necessary. I am still looking at who it is the Chiefs might bring in among the potential safeties.

Since I am not complete on my first pass at looking at future talent, this will be as far as I am able to explore for today’s consideration. I am not concerned with the offense. Veach could draft a RB or TE or Center and it would be directed at where he and the Chiefs staff feel a move must be made. They could focus on 1 or 2 offensive linemen. For me though? Safety, Inside Linebacker and Nose Tackle will be something I am taking a hard look at next when I have the time to really focus on these three positions.

How Will it Play Out?

I see the following defensive position needs as paramount: CB, S, DT, ILB and NT as needing continual new top talent. We have ranted and raved about the defense all season (and I started on this before the 2017 draft). I am not adverse to adding to the departure list–even big names. I do think that Brett Veach will make a significant signing at one of these 5 positions which would allow him to focus on the remaining 4 slots.

I can see Brett Veach trading up to get the targeted player. I can also see a trade back to early 2nd round. The advantage the Chiefs will have is that they possess 4 picks in the top 100. A trade back would probably bring a 5th. These are just thoughts that occurred to me as I watched the Raiders game and thought back to the loss to the Chargers. I needed to turn away from waiting for 2 weeks to see the Chiefs play and decided to cover my early view of team needs.

David Bell – ArrowheadOne

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