2011 NFL Mock Draft: Mocking the Kansas City Chiefs
Thanks to an ongoing labor dispute, the 2011 NFL draft has become more important than ever. Free agency is a pipe dream rather than a viable option to upgrade your franchise. Each of the NFL's 32 teams have spent the whole of their offseason preparing for what looks like the only opportunity they'll have to add talent to the roster.
Winning the AFC West in 2010 was a huge step forward for the Kansas City Chiefs but a closer look might suggest that they were not the best team in the division. Fortunately, they have solid young starters at many key positions. However, without significant upgrades to both the offense and defense the Chiefs will likely take a step backward in 2011.
Kansas City has eight selections in the NFL draft and they might just need every single one to contribute as rookies. With the great success of the Chiefs' 2010 draft class, expectations will be extremely high to repeat such an outstanding coup of talent.
21. WR Leonard Hankerson, Miami
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Miami Hurricanes football has produced a long list of premier NFL receivers including Michael Irvin, Reggie Wayne and Andre Johnson. Next in line for a superb professional career is Leonard Hankerson, the top senior flanker in the 2011 class.
After a slow start to his career and a battle with dropped passes, Hankerson enlisted the help of Mark Duper. The results were phenomenal as Hankerson had arguably the best season in Miami history in his final year of eligibility, setting the single-season record for touchdowns at 13. He ended his career catching a pass in 26 straight games.
Kansas City might prefer to move down a few spots, where Hankerson will still presumably be available. Regardless, he is clearly the third-best wideout in the class behind A.J. Green and Julio Jones. With a pro body (6'2", 209) and great downfield ability (caught a ball for 50-plus yards in 12 of 13 games as a senior), the Chiefs are getting themselves a perfect complement to Dwayne Bowe.
There may still be some polish lacking in Hankerson's game, but coach Todd Haley prides himself on hammering home the finer points of playing wide receiver in the NFL.
55. OL Rodney Hudson, Florida State
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To compile a list of all his accolades would be a daunting task. Honestly, you'd probably get bored reading them all. Long story short: Rodney Hudson is one of the most decorated offensive linemen in NCAA history.
So...why is he on the board at No. 55? It likely has to do with his "smallish" frame (6'2", 300 pounds), but your guess is as good as mine.
For the better part of his four seasons in Tallahassee, Rodney Hudson was the tone-setter in the trenches. Be it a goal-line push for a TD or a first down to seal the game in the final minutes, FSU's formula has been "Run Behind Rod" for some time now. Hudson uses technique rather than brute strength to defeat his opponents, making him an excellent fit for Bill Muir's zone-blocking scheme.
Hudson is a four-year starter that was flagged all of three times in 47 starts. One of his best attributes is his nasty on-field demeanor, showing his knack for playing intelligently given the lack of penalties. While slightly undersized for a guard, he's a perfect fit at center in Kansas City. There is a gaping hole left by the presumably retiring Casey Wiegmann and Hudson is widely considered the most ready-now offensive lineman in the class.
86. DL Jerrell Powe, Mississippi
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What Kansas City really needs inside is a big-bodied run-stuffer. Funny that I've spent weeks trying to find something to like about Ole Miss' Jerrell Powe other than his size and run-stuffing ability.
Let's be honest: The kid is leaving college at 24 years old because he had so many eligibility concerns. Initially there were questions about literacy but a more accurate assessment has identified dyslexia and ADD as the root of his problems.
Still, he's overcome (to a certain extent) his deficiencies and developed into a team captain and a fine football player. The kid is dedicated to playing the game and is willing to do the grunt work for his team. For every issue I have with his game, there is an endearing characteristic about it to match.
One thing is certain: Scott Pioli will get rave reviews about Powe from former Ole Miss players Dexter McCluster and Kendrick Lewis, likely sealing his fate with Kansas City. The defensive line will still need some work but adding a solid nose can help the ends and linebackers immensely.
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118. OL DeMarcus Love, Arkansas
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As a two-year captain in Fayetteville, DeMarcus Love was a consistent force in the toughest conference in college football. Earning first-team All-SEC honors as a senior was a testament to his exceptional work ethic and top-tier skill. Coach Bobby Petrino's obscure offensive system required Love to play both tackle spots in every game based upon the play being called.
Despite a terrible week at the Senior Bowl, Love should still be considered an elite prospect. He started 36 games at four different positions (excluding center) in the SEC over his career. His name might be Love but he plays about as nasty as they come and the Chiefs could use some tenacity at the line of scrimmage.
Kansas City also needs flexibility in the trenches after keeping only seven offensive linemen on the 45-man roster the majority of last season. Whether it comes as a tackle or guard, you can count on one thing: DeMarcus Love will eventually be an exceptional starter for the Chiefs.
135. DE/LB Cliff Matthews, South Carolina
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The high-motored Matthews was a two-year team captain for the Gamecocks. He's extremely sound fundamentally, which should help him translate well to the 3-4. A slightly disappointing senior campaign will push him down the board but he still showed a highly instinctive nature about him, forcing four fumbles on only five sacks.
His size and athleticism are great assets but he needs to learn how to rely on them a bit more at the next level rather than always being a technician. If Kansas City's coaching staff can harness all of his skills while keeping him dedicated to his craft, the product could be frightening for opposing offenses.
Matthews should push Andy and Sheff to excel, creating a great three-man competition for playing time. To land an unquestioned leader and team-first player with this kind of athleticism in the fifth round could prove to be one of the best values in the draft.
140. WR Denarius Moore, Tennessee
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One of the true deep threats in the draft, Denarius Moore notched nine TDs and averaged nearly 21 yards per catch as a senior for the Volunteers. When taking into account the atrocious quarterback play in Knoxville, one has to be impressed that Moore was able to put together more than 2,000 yards receiving over his career. He should be considered a much better prospect than his draft position will indicate given the fact that his chances were so limited by the embarrassing play of his signal-callers.
With strong hands and concentration to track the ball, Moore has shown a great ability to make the tough catch in traffic. His blocking is above average but some simple technique refinement could take him to the next level. After adding Hankerson in the first, Denarius Moore will be an elite slot option for the Chiefs comparable to Steve Breaston in Arizona.
Todd Haley made a name for himself with three Cardinals receivers going over 1,000 yards in the same season and with these additions he might just be able to do that again in Kansas City.
199. DL Karl Klug, Iowa
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The similarities between Karl Klug and Tamba Hali are hilariously striking. There are some who believe Klug might even be able to stand up in the 3-4 defense much like Hali has. I'm a bit skeptical about his prospects as an outside linebacker but Klug's ability to rush the passer while still playing with a keen awareness in the run game is second to none.
In Iowa's bowl game against Mizzou, Klug was completely disruptive rather than his teammates Clayborn and Ballard doing all the work. He was named a permanent team captain and is one of the true effort players this year. There's also the highly publicized Pioli-Ferentz flirtation to consider.
Kansas City struggled on defense at times last season, possibly due to a lack of depth in the front seven. Keeping players fresh will go a long way to not only staying productive but also remaining healthy over the rigors of a long season. The Chiefs need bodies on the defensive line and Klug is a downright steal in the sixth round.
223. QB TJ Yates, North Carolina
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One of the toughest decisions for NFL teams comes when drafting a quarterback; they often have to decide between an elite arm or an elite decision-maker. Yates represents the latter, despite completely rewriting the record books at North Carolina. As a four-year starter with a career completion percentage well above 60, this former Tarheel looks like the type of player Kansas City needs to back up Matt Cassel.
After a tumultuous spring that saw highly touted key prospects on both sides of the ball get suspended for the 2010 season, Yates was one of the calming influences for North Carolina. He took huge strides as a senior, topping 3,400 yards passing and throwing 19 TDs. Its hard not to pull for a kid that led a decimated group of players to eight wins, including a huge victory over Tennessee in their bowl game.
Teams evaluating Yates' progression from year to year will undoubtedly be impressed as he improved at a steady rate over his career at UNC. Having 44 collegiate starts on his resume is pretty impressive but perhaps more impressive is the resolve shown to rally his team in order to make his senior campaign one to remember.
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