Chiefs Lack of Activity Before Draft Concerns Me

The Kansas City Chiefs have a huge task ahead of them in the 2010 NFL draft.  Recent comments by GM Scott Pioli suggest the Chiefs have been actively pursuing trade partners to move down from the No. 5 overall pick Thursday night.

I'm certain NFL teams have their plates full preparing for the upcoming draft, however, there has been plenty of activity in the past several days as teams continue to fill holes on their rosters with trades and signings.

Kansas City has not been one of those teams, and I can't explain why.  Surely they are not counting on this year's draft to fill all their needs.  Maybe they are too busy attempting to trade down, or shuffling their deck between Berry, Williams, and Bulaga to notice.  But while our focus has been on the draft, other teams have focused on building their teams prior to the draft.

What's odd about the recent player movement has been the low cost to acquire these players.

Former first round pick of the St. Louis Rams (13th overall in 2007) was traded to Washington, swapping picks with the Rams in the fifth and seventh rounds.  Seriously?  This guy doesn't warrant a high pick, but the Rams shuffling him around on a horrid defensive squad isn't all his fault.  He could have provided depth at DE for the Chiefs and played DT on passing downs.  I still love his motor.

Seven-time pro-bowler Torry Holt has signed with the New England Patriots, and while the terms of the deal haven't been disclosed, I can't help but think this guy could have provided a better solution than Jerheme Urban in the slot.

Former Denver tight-end Tony Scheffler was traded to Detroit in a three team swap, also including LB Ernie Sims.  OK, the guy can't seem to stay on the field and didn't jive with little J-Mac in Denver, but who has?  Are we truly prepared to enter 2010 with a huge question mark in Cottam and a one-dimensional Pope?  Come on now, what TE in this draft other than Gresham or Gronkowski would potentially be better than Scheffler?  Steal by Detroit.

Former first round pick Tedd Ginn Jr. was also traded for a fifth round pick.  Hey, if nothing else, the guy could have been our return man.  I'm not in love with his receiving skills, but what prospect could we target in the fifth round who could be better - at least right now?

Troublesome WR Santonio Holmes carried baggage the Chiefs brass was obviously not interested in dealing with, however, at a price tag of a fifth round pick, the former Superbowl MVP will make Jets fans forgive his transgressions. 

Anquan Boldin for a third and fourth round pick?  Sure, where do I sign. 

I understand the Chiefs stance and Pioli's viewpoint of building through the draft.  What I don't understand is letting quality talent being swapped about the league for late round picks who will likely be developmental, hoping to find a diamond in the rough.

There's more than one way to do it fellas, and I hope you start keeping your eyes and ears open.