The Mastery of Brett Veach and The Great Escape Plan

I have said it before and I will say it again, Brett Veach will accomplish what needs to be accomplished in 2021, to put the Kansas City Chiefs roster in the right position to return to the Super Bowl, and it looks like he’s at it again.

.

.

.

.

I’m halfway decent at reading the tea leaves, so what follows are two maps to success that accomplish the re-tooling that needs to be done to get Kansas City to where it needs to be in Five Easy Pieces, and ready for the 2021 Chiefs opening day. Let me say, most of this was written prior to Veach solving the Chiefs LT situation just yesterday. Veach made the trade that will bring 2-time Pro Bowl left tackle, Orlando Brown, to the Chiefs, so he’s basically solved that issue and the Chiefs escape this offseason unscathed. Like I said: IVWT!

.

.

Brett Veach, our “Escape Plan Artist,” continues to show us that he will take risks and make player personnel decisions that we fans, the pundits and the analysts do not see coming (most of the time). That is perfectly clear to me from the Brown trade… and 2020 draft for example. Brett Veach has cards up his sleeve, and he keeps his cards close to the vest and depends on the expertise of the varied staff, including the front office financial wizards, Andy Reid and his coaching staff, but most especially his scouting crew and the contacts they, and he and the rest of the Chiefs management personnel have, executed.

.

Precept Work: 2020 Fundamental Draft Picks

There were two surprises in the 2020 draft, Pick one: RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Pick two: LB Willie Gay, Jr. Why? I had no sense that the Chiefs were truly looking to draft a running back in round one, nor did I see Willie Gay on the Chiefs horizon, despite knowing he could be a real talent for any team.

.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire: I thought Veach might go RB later in the draft but, Glyde was a huge surprise. I stayed up until 4 AM and investigated what could be found as a reason why this was Veach’s first selection, and I put it to bed in the early hours of the morning, concluding that it was a totally worthy move.

.

During the 2020 season I looked over Edwards-Helaire’s performance and what he accomplished, even as the offensive line was falling apart, piece by piece, still I will not second guess bringing CEH aboard. Drafting him in R1 was the right decision and he will prove it in 2021. Bet on it. Why? Because despite needing to re-tool the OL, what Veach has accomplished thus far in Free Agency proves my point about trusting what he is aiming for. I had no inkling from any source anywhere, that the Chiefs were looking to resolve what could have been conceived as a weakness in 2020 –> the feature Running Back role.

.

Willie Gay, Jr.: No where at any time did I have a conception that the Chiefs were actually looking at drafting Willie Gay, Jr. I had investigated him, but had decided that the Chiefs were not going to select him. I did think that he could very possibly be a steal in the draft, but I believed that another team would reap that benefit. Not so: Brett Veach took him at #63 but had a plan and that plan was for Steve Spagnuolo to take allowing the fruit to ripen. What I saw at the end of 2020 was a player ready for the NFL, especially in the last few games and in the playoffs.

.

Adding a 3rd dimension: Lucas Niang. I knew that the Veach & Co and Reid and his coaching input had determined that Niang would be a success as an OT in the NFL. Niang has the footwork to be an immediate success, he has the strides and glides down to keep himself in the right position whether fending off a Bull Rush, a speed rusher to the outside, or someone swimming inside. I am completely confident in the player Veach selected in round three of the 2020 draft.

.

The Magnificent 4th Dimension: L’Jarius Sneed. Sneed was a terrific choice for later in the draft. Sneed had versatility in his resume and that means a lot for the Chiefs. What happened with Sneed in 2020 proved an excellent choice, brought something to the table immediately, and was selected to the NFL All-Rookie Team, despite suffering a clavicle injury trying to make a 3rd interception in three sequential games. Sneed proved my contention that he would be a worthwhile selection. I did not anticipate a round four choice, I thought perhaps the fifth. I thought he would be very good CB with versatility to the Safety role. I didn’t envision how quickly he would play at a high level and that was a super surprise.

.

These four players form a nucleus of the vision that Brett Veach had as the Chiefs entered 2020. Many of us don’t see what the vision was, at least we didn’t see it clearly, but the blue print was there. It’s always up to the players to fulfill the vision but the plan was clear.

.

Setting the Table for 2021’s Draft

The Chiefs interior OL suffered greatly in 2020, especially after newcomer and F/A signee, Kelechi Osemele was lost for the season in week five. However, we could see the value of his run blocking skill. Andrew Wylie was not the solution (almost any observer could see that, but after the fact), Center Austin Reiter lacked skill as a run blocking OC and the right side without LDT was exposed. LDT had a very down season in 2019, but the expectation was there for him to return to form in 2020.

.

This offseason, Brett Veach immediately went to work to solve the problem. Free Agents Joe Thuney, a player that I mentioned to bring aboard in January, was signed. Three time Pro-Bowl OG, Kyle Long, a Pro Bowl level performer at OG (though with a year taken off in apparent temporary retirement. He’s back!) Veach made a run at bringing OT Trent Williams aboard and it didn’t work out, but you could see clearly that he was determined to close any holes in the dike. Now, he has Orlando Brown in the fold, so the starting OL may look like this:

.

LT: Brown, LG: Thuney, OC: Blythe, LG: LDT (or Long), and RT: Niang (or Remmers)

.

Meanwhile, Veach has also gone after Free Agent wideouts that could solve the departure of Sammy Watkins. Those attempts fell short as well. Still, you could see the cogs and wheels turning. I’ve played with the idea that the Chiefs need to draft an Offensive Center to make sure the position was covered. That may still be the right move, but Veach signed a solid, and experienced, Center, Rams Free Agent Austin Blythe. The Interior offensive line is set, and it is deep. Add in Martinas Rankin, and Veach re-signing Free Agent, Andrew Wylie and K.C. still has two in-house UDFA’s from 2020, Yasir Durant and Darryl Williams. Consequently, we know we have players to cover things at every IOL position on the roster.

.

Now, K.C. has traded for a veteran Offensive Tackle and one thing that makes sense is for Veach to wait on announcing this trade, to wait until after 4-27-21 is reached, so that it doesn’t affect giving up a Comp pick the following season to Baltimore.

.

Five Easy Pieces

5 Choices: Veach Solutions

Piece One

Draft an impact player and game changer. The draft is very deep in both Wide Receivers and Offensive Tackles beyond the top three. I can see two or three Wide Receivers who have the talent to fill the empty boots of Sammy Watkins and Brett Veach will likely select that receiver at #58 or #64.

.

A LT may still be in play as a draft pick. None of the remaining Tackles would truly be available, but Veach could still draft an OT such as Stone Forsythe, Brady Christianson or possibly Wyatt Davis.

.

Run through position groups and look for a high-impact, game changing player. When it comes down to it, the selection will probably be a Wide Receiver. My Choice? Terrace Marshall.. that is, if it was a first round pick, which K.C. doesn’t have any more. If it turned out that it was an OT? Good enough. If that is to be the case, Veach will select a talent that has all the qualities both long term, and short, for what the Chiefs are looking for. Still, I see that the top OT’s will be available at the #63 pick, and the list is quite deep.

.

One path I can see is that Veach works a trade back and gets two men for the front five with the first two picks and I mock are: Eisenberg and Dickerson. I’d totally solve my offensive line issues… if I were Veach… with the addition of those two selections. Lastly, if one of the top Defensive players fell into the lap of the Chiefs, I’d pick that player, if he’s a playmaker and viewed as a “Game Changer.”

.

My thoughts turn quickly in this case to Jaelan Phillips as the best example. To obtain Phillips at this point, they have to trade their first two picks to jump up to get him. However, the whole outlook of the Defensive Front, would be that of a game changer shifting upwards two notches, due to other players on the DL roster. I’d take that pick in the late first or early second round, in the blink of an eye and move on to Piece Two, without trading back.

.

Piece Two

Again, with some presumptions, and taking piece one into account, the Chiefs will be focused on drafting the Offensive Tackle, a Center, a WR, or Linebacker. If the right Center drops into your lap with picks #58 or #64 and Landon Dickerson could still be on the board, the opportunity will resolve my exposure on the OL. I think Brady Christianson may be the top pick here if Liam Eichenberg is gone (which he probably will be) if Veach decides to draft depth at the OT position, which is not a bad idea.

.

.

Piece Three

Here’s the complete Audio of the Brett Veach presser which lasts 27:20, prior to completing the trade for Orlando Brown, which includes this year’s round three pick:

.

.

Piece Four

By the time I get to Round Four, any BPA will fit. I would like to add a Safety, Cornerback or possibly a DT or DE. Piece Four is now a one part solution with pick #136 going to Baltimore in the trade, which leave #144. Brett Veach might very easily get a player who will figure into the 2021 roster, beyond Special Teams. I know that players will be available for this picks and must presume that Veach and Co, will already have identified the “Gems” that can polished quickly or perhaps be top players that other teams have missed the actual skill and ability that a fourth round player frequently possess. I see the 4th round as the round upon which the keystone is going to be found. I have looked and added players to my own list that fit the Chiefs, that appear to me to be overlooked, so that is why I think the 2021 fourth round pick is the Key to the draft.

.

If the Chiefs and Veach are fortunate enough to have eyes on the right player(s), such as L’Jarius Sneed was in 2020, that’s the icing on the cake that has come out of a hot oven.

.

Piece Five

By the time Veach gets to the two picks in round five — numbers 175 and 181 — and one in round 6th round — #207 — I don’t count too much on any player in this value range as being a starter. I do trust in Veach, and he will make three player selections that have meaning for Special Teams, for Dave Toub, and players who have the athleticism that fits what KC does.

.

.

I believe that 2019 and 2020 were highly successful drafts. We go from those two years as a foundation for setting up what will be done next week. After all, that is what the Chiefs are working to accomplish in 2021.

.

David Bell — ArrowheadOne

.

If you are viewing this in Apple News and would like to join the Discussion, [GO HERE.](http://arrowheadone.com/the-mastery-of-brett-veach-and-the-great-escape-plan/#disqus_thread)

.