Making the K.C. Chiefs: NFL DRAFTCRAFT

It occurs to me that the National Football League is a lot like Minecraft. Minecraft is a kids game that requires them to build their environment, choose tools, create their own success. Sounds vaguely familiar to the NFL. However, to be a little more specific, this is what the Minecraft site says about their general goals:

“Players must collect resources, build structures, battle mobs, manage hunger, and explore the world in an effort to survive and thrive.”

Now, that’s more like it. That pretty much describes the game today from the Commish down to the concussed. Although we’re reminded all to often that, “It’s a business,” even the business side of the game has become, “a game”… a lot like a Minecraft game. Thus, I dubb thee: “NFL DRAFTCRAFT.”

While recently visiting a Minecraft blog site, a player there listed rules saying that, “Rule One is: do not dig straight down… and that Rule Two is: do not dig straight down.” I liken this a lot to when teams dig in, make few changes, and use words like, “We’re not really re-building.” I think the reality is, every team is rebuilding. Every year. All the time. That’s the nature of the beast… or in this case, in the game of Minecraft it’s just called, re-building. 

Personally, I’m glad to see the Chiefs moving on from Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali and Alex Smith and on and on. Not necessarily happy to see them go, but I’m satisfied that the team has a plan and they’re executing that plan, an evolutionary plan at that… which happens to include moving on from DJ, one of my all-time favorite Chiefs. That’s what it takes to survive in this day and age in the NFL.

You could tell last year, and probably the year before, that the window was closing for several long time Chiefs. I was also in favor of the team moving on from Dustin Colquitt, even though it would have meant a drop-off in the number of punts placed inside the 20 yards line. Not only because the team could have used the cap savings to sign another defensive player, but because it’s just time to move on and like with so many things in life, seasons change. Playing a game like Minecraft can teach you that lesson clearly, and quickly. If you don’t change with the seasons of your life… you lose out and in the gaming world, you die. The Chiefs have been in Death Valley before, if you can remember as far back as 6 years ago when they were 2-14.

A basic part of playing Minecraft is moving around. Players need to be able to move. I don’t think there’s a conversation you can have about an NFL prospect without discussing their ability to move. You may have heard me talking in the past about Rodney Hudson’s feet and how he had some of the best feet I’ve ever seen at the combine for a Center. That’s all about his ability to “move.” I was recently reviewing combine tape on Kareem Hunt and was astounded at his foot-speed and agility in the shuttles. All about movement skills.

Without going too far afield with this analogy (no Minecraft pun intended), the Chiefs need to draft some movers and shakers in this draft too. Head coach Andy Reid and General Manager Brett Veach have been preaching “improving team speed” and I couldn’t agree more. With that in mind, here are five prospects I think have great feet… or speed… or the ability to move in space, in this draft:

1. CB Mike Hughes – for his change of direction and ability to mirror. His 40 wasn’t the best but some “movers” are great because they can stick closely to a WR. That’s who Hughes is. Don’t know if he will fall to where the Chiefs can snag him but, he could end up being… a corner like Marcus Peters only, without the bad attitude.

2. OG Wyatt Teller – Teller ran a 5.42 – 40 yard dash. So, why am I talking about him? Because Teller has good feet in a box. Meaning, he keeps his legs moving and plays hard from snap-to-whistle. THAT kind of movement is invaluable in an offensive lineman. Yes, he can pull, and yes, he can protect. Should he be rated higher than most services have him? Probably. 

3. OLB Ogbonnia Okoronkwo – Okoronkwo has everything you’re looking for in an OLB… except size (6-foot-2, 253) although he’s the same size as Dee Ford. He has speed, can change directions, is explosive, is a quick-twitch athlete, already has an inside move to go along with his ability to bend around the tackle. Only thing he hasn’t got are great hands but I doubt anyone is going to be asking him to catch the football.

4. CB Donte Jackson – some corners can stick like glue to their man like Mike Hughes, and some can stay with their man because they have the speed to make up the difference with the ball in the air. That’s Donte Jackson. His 4.32 40 and ability to return kicks makes him a very attractive prospect.

5. DT Du’Vonta Lampkin – I’m going out on a limb here to share with you about a player who is not even ranked by one of the popular ranking services. It’s Du’Vonta Lampkin. He doesn’t have great feet. He doesn’t have great change of direction. What he does have is what I call, “determined leg power.” When he’s determined to go through you, watch out. He’s big and strong and I don’t know why no one is talking about him. Have a look for yourself.

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow… it’s only a day away!

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