Grading Out the First Year
of Brett Veach at the Helm
By David Bell
Bringing in Veach
Brett Veach took over the General Manager Helm for the Kansas City Chiefs after the 2017 draft. It was necessary to view all the intermediate “chessboard” moves first, and then a draft, as Veach’s first year term was completing. I’m going to use a simplified grading scale, all grades A thru Fail. Veach doe not have any D’s or F’s in the things he has done to strengthen the Chiefs Roster and present players to the coaching staff for their use and development. Veach does have some top marks at the same time.
Signing his contract on July 5th, Veach assumed the general managership from the previous GM John Dorsey. Here’s a Washington Post quote of CEO Clark Hunt and what he had this to say about Veach:
“Brett has a sharp football mind, a tremendous work ethic and a keen eye for finding talent. Over the last four seasons he’s played a critical role in building our football team. I look forward to working with him to continue to build on the strong foundation we have in place.”
Affecting Dorsey’s 2017 Draft – Mahomes
Mr. Veach has been with the Chiefs since 2013 and his work with scouting players had been instrumental. In this role, Veach was a “huge” proponent of drafting Patrick Mahomes and was with the scouting end of the franchise since his arrival at Kansas City. He was promoted to Director of Player Personnel within the Chiefs organization but his history began with Andy Reid who first brought him on board with the Eagles in 2004.
When the 2017 draft was heading to it’s opening, GM John Dorsey did the surprising, he traded up for Patrick Mahomes, the Red Raider QB, moving up to the 10th position to draft the player. This meant that the Chiefs drafted a QB for the first round in decades. Other choices in prior years panned out as “less than viable”. Mahomes on the other hand, had demonstrated the ability to succeed which he proved on the field in his only game as a starter in 2017 when the Chiefs won over the Broncos.
Brett Veach’s Chessboard – Additions
In most cases, the cost of players has been minimal and considering the amount of cap space involved, Brett Veach has managed the player acquisitions with efficiency, obtaining high draft picks who had not panned out on their previous teams and bringing their potential to the Chiefs roster.
Trading DJ Alexander for ILB Kevin Pierre-Louis — [28 July 2017]
This trade with Seattle occurred on July 28th. The objective was obviously to strengthen the interior linebacker play especially in a defense that was weak against the run game in 2017. Both teams fulfilled an objective in that Alexander provided S/T play that was missing on their roster and the Chiefs ILB depth was an improvement. KP-L played a high number of snaps on Defense and that shoring up was meaningful to the over-all effort. His continued tenure did not occur as KP-L was released to Free Agency. Still, the player was a meaningful addition to the ILB corp, if only for the 2017 season. What’s the risk? None in my view. DJA did make a name for himself on S/T’s for Dave Toub. The need for defense snaps was a greater need so this trade is a C, despite the duration of the player on the roster departing after one year.
Trading a 4 Pick for ILB Reggie Ragland — [30 August 2017]
Brett Veach was quick to make moves to address areas of the team where exposure’s existed, especially on defense. He had added KP-L but was focused and not restricted in his moves to make such additions to defense that would strengthen the team’s roster. One month after the Alexander Trade, Veach made a 4th round trade to acquire ILB Reggie Ragland, a thumper, run-stopping ILB. Ragland’s addition was a huge positive for the Chiefs in 2017 and though Ragland, a high round 2 pick, is not a player you might anticipate to become an All Pro, he certainly strengthened the inside LB pair. Unfortunately, DJ’s 2017 was less than stellar, so the anticipated value added wasn’t as meaningful as it might have been had DJ returned from Rehab and played at his usual level of play. I have given this a A- for this reason. . Ragland did not start until game 5 of the 2017 season and his play in the Titan Playoff game is the culmination of working with his coaching staff and improving during the season for an outstanding outing versus the Titans.
Trading a 5 pick for OL Cam Erving — [1 Sep 2017]
Two days after bringing Ragland on board, Veach made another trade of a draft pick to bring a round 1 player who had not panned in Cleveland by sending the pick to Cleveland to acquire OL Cam Erving. Erving is going to compete for a starting role in 2018 and did have significant contribution to the roster in 2017 with one start, replacing RG LD-T who was out for a game. His play was not high level nor was it a failure. Erving demonstrated that he could man the position at the very least. Still, as a high draft pick, you expect him to become a starter. In Reid’s system though, in Late August, he settles on his starters and Erving would need time to ingest the play book and blocking assignments of the Reid WCO. At the very least, Erving brings his talent to the Chiefs front 5 mix. 2018 will see where he ultimately ends up. He is probably most suited outside but the Chiefs have both Fisher and Schwartz starting at the book-end positions which could result in the end of Erving becoming the Swing tackle for 2018. The current status has Erving working at OC — due to the healing timetable of Mitch Morse. Since Erving is already experienced at both tackle and guard, it appears to me they are grooming him to play all positions along the front 5 at the very least. I would have preferred they stick him at one position, but the need due to Fulton’s departure in Free Agency and Morse’s rehab timetable makes this work necessary. Let’s hope he is successful. This is a trade that will need additional time to grade out but for now, a “C” but might have it’s upside that we cannot envision as yet.
o – Trade of David King, DL, for a conditional Draft Pick – 1 Sep 2017 (No Grade given)
o – Trade of Isaiah battle, OL to Seattle for a conditional pick – 02 Sep 2017 (No Grade Given)
o – Signing Harrison Butker, PK from the Panther’s PS — [26 Sep 2017]
AA For Double Ace – with the Chiefs Placekicker Cairo Santos out for the second time with hamstring issues, the Chiefs signed away from the Carolina PS, PK Harrison Butker. Butker had outperformed veteran kicker Graham Gano but was not given the starting role. The Panthers were keeping both on the roster but finally went with Gano and they released and cleared waivers and added him back to the Panthers PS. When the Chiefs PK was down and out with the season progressing, the Chiefs, due to S/T Coordinator Dave Toub’s input, the Chiefs signed Butker and never looked back. Butker wasn’t perfect but nearly so. This was a superb addition to the Chiefs by Brett Veach, especially considering the need. I think this move is an “Ace” and then some. In none of these moves have I addressed the “financials.” In this pick, it is an “Ace” based on performance alone. Considering the buy-back based on salary, it is a “Double Ace.”
Signing Free Agent CB David Amerson — [24 Feb 2018]
I graded this a C because you are bringing in on a one year prove it deal a player who would have cost about $6M for the Raiders to keep him. He was not worth that due to his performance in 2017 but prior to that his play had caused his stock to rise to that level. The result was getting a starter of 33 NFL games signed on. Whether he can fulfill the promise of his prior years remains to be seen but the opportunity was the right one and the Vegas team had made other additions or had players in house. I can’t grade this lower because Amerson is a starter quality CB… so, “C” but I won’t rate it higher due to 2017 performance but see a 2.25 one year deal as a big plus. Thus, it is my view that Veach knows something about what was going on at Oakland, er, LA, r, Vegas.
Trade of Alex Smith and acquiring Slot CB Kendall Fuller — [14 Mar 2018]
I cannot say that I believe fully in trading Alex Smith. At the same time I am a realist and it was time for Mahomes to prove it or lose it. Hence the Alex Smith trade to the Redskins became official and brought the top slot corner to the Chiefs. I grade this move as an “A” as long as Fuller plays where he plays best.
Signing WR Sammy Watkins — [15 Mar 2018]
In a surprising move, Brett Veach signed a top WR, Sammy Watkins. Watkins is a solid pro, and a definitive Possession Receiver and a Red Zone threat. True, he has had injuries that affected him 2 seasons in a row. It is also true that he has the speed and capability to get over the top, making him a dual threat in the Chiefs offense. It is my view, that he was not fully deployed in his career thus far and we will have to wait and see how his skills are employed with the Chiefs. Overall? He brings a needed talent to the Chiefs aerial game and will certainly make defenses honest needing to cover two receiving threats aimed at the heart of the opposing secondaries. Add to this, the Kelce effect, and a #3 WR in Chris Conley, Watkins’ addition is deserving of an “A” grade almost no matter what happens and barring Watkins getting knocked out of play for the season. Indeed, I myself can only see high positives bringing Watkins on board and his participation and verbalization thus far have indicated that his move by Veach is a great one. Yes, I would have to grade this differently considering monies. If Watkins got us deeper int the playoffs or even to the “Big Bowl” in the next two years, I would grade this as a Double AA signing, where money spent was meaningful and not wasted. If there is a question about this move it is all about monies in my view. That could be a point of contention for some but the signing has great promise for the risk involved.
Signing of Free Agent ILB Anthony Hitchens — [14 March 2018]
Veach signed free agent ILB Hitchens to a 5 year, $45M contract (about $21M Guaranteed) Some pundits didn’t like this move and one decided it was the worst signing of a free agent in the NFL. I heartily disagree. Hitchens had 314 tackles from his drafting in the 4th round of 2014. He did start in 2015 but the rest of the time was mixed in as a starter. In 2017 he started 12 games. Hitchens did very well in 2017 when Sean Lee went out with injury. He is a hard hitting run stopper and adds that dimension opposite Reggie Ragland. He is known for his run stopping “Toughness” and mindset that is a “Veachy Feature” as well as having the speed to pursue side-line to side-line as well as drop into coverage. Unlike some pundits, all I see is an upside for the ILB pair here in KC. Hitchens and Ragland will compliment each other.
Signing Free Agent NT Xavier Williams — [19 Mar 2018]
This addition by the Chiefs brings a player back to his home ground. It adds a NT to the Chiefs Roster(Bolstered by the draft of Derrick Nnadi in the draft) and ends up with something that the Chiefs have not had at the position since before Andy Reid arrived in town — Two Nose tackles. The Cardinals released Williams, who was not going to get a starting role at Arizona and the anticipation is that he will indeed get the chance for the role with the Kingdom. It may be that Williams brings heart to his game now that he has returned to the “Heartland.” He was not going to be the starter at Arizona. He has that opportunity now.
Here is how Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star viewed the signing at the time:
“The Chiefs have signed restricted free agent nose tackle Xavier Williams, a source told The Star on Tuesday. As a restricted free agent, Arizona — Williams’ former team — had an opportunity to match the offer the Chiefs made to Williams. They declined to match, a source told The Star. Williams, 26, is a local guy. The 6-foot-4, 311-pounder graduated from Grandview High School. He went undrafted out of Northern Iowa in 2015 and has recorded 28 tackles and a half-sack in three seasons.Williams, who is known as a run stopper, is coming off his best season. In 11 games (one start) for the Cardinals, he recorded a career-high 20 tackles and also forced a fumble.”
There are other additions, but it remains to be seen how they will fit. The Chiefs added QBs but neither will be a future QB with the Chiefs. Those players listed about comprise the players with likely immediate impact. Here I might add players such as Golden, or one of the William’s RBs. Like that. When it is cut to 63 we will be looking at one or two players who have come from a UDFA or invitee status.
Other Veach Chessboard Moves — the Subtractions
- Alex Smith, QB — traded to the Redskins. It was bound to happen. I have been a Smith supporter from 2013 on in his tenure with KC and I think he will uplift the Redskins who have moved on themselves from Kirk Cousins.
- DJ – had a totally underwhelming 2017. That and his age made the decision to release him to Free Agency was the appropriate move.
- Marcus Peters – The likelihood that Peters would have one last season and not agree to a fifth year contract made it a lot easier to trade Peters. Peters was not a player who could be anything but a controversy. He was a disruption, according to reports and on the field visability, to the other players, coaching staff and even to the fans. Cutting ties and getting something in return was about the best outcome that could be expected — plus getting rid of a player whose antics, unwillingness to make tackles and lack of “Toughness” precluded Veach from continuing the Peter’s Kingdom participation.
- Tamba Hali – Released — Much as we loved Hali, his value the past 2 seasons was very minimal and very costly. [13 March 2018]. Hali is not signed with any team.
- Bennie Logan – at $8m per year and inability to fill the middle made his one year tenure a necessity(Titans)
- Ramik Wilson – I liked Wilson and think he will succeed with his new Outfit(Rams). There had to have been something that wasn’t public about his rise and fall at KC.
- Kenneth Acker – I probably under-valued Acker. He may fit well with the Colts.
- Kevin Pierre-Louis – signed with the Jets. He aided the Chiefs most at ILB when they needed it. Veach apparently felt that KP-L wasn’t going to be a long-term fit.
Drafted Players – are “unfulfilled promise”
My purpose here is not to delve into grading the draft but in adding a list of new players and how they will fit. My basic premise though is that each addition is a fit with the Veach Persona.
How do you grade out a draft with no #1 pick? That’s tough. Getting Starters beyond the top 100 is a crap shoot. I like what Brett Veach did and the more I look at the players drafted and how they fit the Veach player Persona, the more I have formed a very upbeat view of this draft group. Veach made moves to put the Chiefs in position to make the selections. I personally view 3 and perhaps 4 of these players as being immediate impact players, meaning they will earn their stripes in the current season and not just on Special Teams: Speaks, Ndadi, Watts and O’Daniel.
Breeland Speaks, DE, Ole Miss(Round 2, #46 — not a tough call to rank this position 46 as a B, and presume that the plan is to use him as an OLB. That is what the Chiefs indicate and I view that outlook as adding a tough guy to that outside mix to take the role on as OLB opposite Justin Houston (Ford, Kpassagnon and Speaks).
Derrick Nnadi, DT, FSU(Round 3,#75 — via the Ravens) — Nnadi fit’s exactly what the Chiefs need, a run stopping interior lineman to take on the NT role. This is exactly what Nnadi is and for KC? That means Nose Tackle.
Dorian O’Daniel, ILB/Hybrid, Clemson (#100 via the Bengals) — No matter where they use him, DOD will be a success with the Chiefs. He is a light ILB or OLB but is a bolt of “lightening” added to the the LB mix as well as being fast enough to drop to Nickel LB or even into looks as a strong safety.
Armani Watts, FS, Texas A&M, FS (Round 4, #124): A basic undervalued player by most of the NFL due to issues of tackling. I think this rep was passed around. Watts is tough and will be a solid safety out of the gate. Any detriment will be gone by the season opener with good coaching. Watt’s with out that rep would have gone in the high round 2 level.
Tremon Smith, CB, Cent. Arkansas(Round 6, #196): Overlooked talent from an overlooked under appreciated small school program. I would rate this as a likely B+.
Reggie McKenzie Jr. OG, UTenn* Round 6, #198): NFL lineage, ranked due to DL history at UTenn. KC drafted him for OG. He looks the part and will surprise us in 2018 with quick learning. I think he will be ready before the end of the 2018 season. His Physique is NFL Offensive guard.
That’s a Wrap: I give Brett Veach an overall Grade of B for his first year of tenure with the Chiefs as GM.
David Bell – NSLU (Ya, it’s far too long but thorough — have to work on that)
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