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Grading the Chiefs Draft

Article by James Kemplay

The 2009 NFL 1st Year Player Draft is in the books and the Kansas City Chiefs have selected 8 new players they hope will help improve a team who finished 2-14 in 2008. 

The key to this draft lays in the massive hands of the Chiefs 1st round pick DE Tyson Jackson.  Jackson becomes the 3rd LSU player in a row the Chiefs have chosen in the first round.  (WR Dwayne Bowe in 2007, and DT Glenn Dorsey in 2008).  Jackson who is not known as a pass rusher must learn quickly to help a Chiefs team that recorded only 10 sacks a year ago. 

The Chiefs used their first 3 picks all on the defensive side of the ball hoping to shore up the 31st ranked defense from a year ago.  On the surface it appears Kansas City will use either Ron Edwards or Tank Tyler in the middle of the defense and Jackson on the opposite side the TE and Dorsey at the other end, meaning current starting defensive ends Tamba Hali and Turk McBride will be in a rotation at end or be moved to the rush outside line backer spot in the new 3-4 system. 

The Chiefs waited until the 5th round to address their offensive line woes by taking Missouri OT Colin Brown.  Brown a monster of a man (6'7, 337 pounds) is expected to come in and compete for the right tackle spot this year. 

Kansas City also selected this years Mr. Irrelevant (the final pick in the NFL draft) and took South Carolina Kicker Ryan Succop who we feel may not be so "irrelevant".  Succop brings a very powerful leg to Kansas City and may make the team as either the full time kicker or for kick offs. 

The following is a break down the the Chiefs 8 draft choices for 2009.

1st round - Tyson Jackson, DE, LSU - A reach with the 3rd overall pick in the draft, must become a play-maker in Kansas City to justify the lofty draft choice 
3rd round -Alex Magee, DT, Purdue - A versatile down lineman who can play both tackle and end in the 3-4 system
4th round -Donald Washington, CB, Ohio State - If his past off the field problems are behind him Washington is a great value in the 4th round for Kansas City.
5th round - Colin Brown, OT, Missouri - You can't teach 6'7 and 337 pounds, but it will be up to the Chiefs coaches to teach Brown how to block.
6th round -Quinten Lawrence, WR, McNeese State - A fast wide receiver who can contribute in the slot to stretch the field, but will have to make a name for himself in the return game.
7th round -Javarris Williams, RB, Tennessee State - Short (at 5'9) but stocky and did rush for over 1,000 yards at Tennessee State last year, may make his living on Special Teams in KC.
7th round -Jake O’Connell, TE, Miami (Ohio) - at 6'5, 250 pounds O'Connell has a long frame and presents a tall target for goal line situations.
7th round -

Ryan Succop, K, South Carolina - Mr. Irrelevant himself has a powerful leg (averaged 68 yards on Kickoffs with 25 touch backs) could provide KC with a dependable kicker.

The Chiefs reached for need more often then best player available and we feel reached for both Tyson Jackson and Donald Washington.  If Jackson can become a difference maker and can create havoc in teams backfields we feel comfortable with this draft.  We like the Alex Magee (mainly for his versatility within a 3-4 scheme) pick and the Ryan Succop pick as great value picks for Kansas City.

Overall on paper I would have to give the Chiefs a C+ on Scott Pioli's first draft as the man in charge for KC.  Don't let us forget this draft could be a huge boost for Kansas City if Jackson becomes a difference maker, Brown learns how to block and play on the right side, and lets not forget the second round pick of QB Matt Cassel who the Chiefs traded their second round pick for.

The potential is there for Kansas City to build on something, but we feel the real first Scott Pioli draft will be in 2010 as he will have his staff in and the picks (2 second round picks in 2010) to build this team into a champion.

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