2011 NFL Mock Draft: 7-Round Kansas City Chiefs Draft Predictions
As the 2011 NFL draft approaches, football fans are on the edge of their seats, waiting for the first taste of the 2011 NFL season. For Chiefs fans, this draft could be the difference between a playoff run and an early to end to the season for their favorite team
With eight picks in the draft, the Chiefs will have the chance to fill several holes on both sides of the ball and improve on their division-winning team from last season.
Will they get exactly what they need? Only time will tell.
Until then, we can speculate who they will choose with each pick. This is one such speculation.
Round 1 (Pick 21): Phil Taylor, NT
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To continue the success that the Chiefs experienced from Tamba Hali last season, Kansas City needs to find a way to eat up blocks up front. Towards the end of the season, teams had extra blocking set up for Hali, actively trying to stop his pass rush.
There is no defensive presence that fits the Chiefs defensive style more than Phil Taylor.
Taylor is a huge nose tackle that will be able to eat up much of the opponent’s offensive line. Weighing in at 334 lbs., Taylor has lost a bit of weight, giving him more speed and agility. This will allow him to better use his power to push the line back and stop the run.
With Taylor on the line, the Chiefs pass rush would be able to get into the backfield and wreak havoc more this season. The added pressure on the quarterback would also force more throws into coverage. While his inconsistencies and off-field issues might work against the team that selects Taylor, with some work on the part of the Chiefs coaching staff, their pass rush and run stopping could experience enormous growth.
Round 2 (Pick 55): Dontay Moch, DE/OLB
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One of the brightest points on the Kansas City Chiefs defense last year was the pass rush led by linebacker Tamba Hali. Hali ended the 2010 season with a league-leading 14.5 sacks, and did so with a shoulder injury that was only revealed after the end of the season.
With a lack of pressure from the other linebackers and defensive ends, as well as uncertainty surrounding veteran Mike Vrabel, the Chiefs will definitely be looking to bolster their defensive rush.
Dontay Moch provides the Chiefs with an amazing flexibility. Playing DE for Nevada, Moch set virtually every pass-rushing record the school had. Hoping to move to the outside linebacker spot, Moch brings a great deal of speed to the position, having clocked a 4.4 40-yard dash. He also has a good feel for zone defense, providing some solid pass coverage in the middle of the field.
One major concern with Moch would be his inability to guard man-to-man. Moch was unable to hold most players one-on-one during his season, showing his potential inability to switch from rushing to coverage. If he is able to get past that, Moch will provide a solid second pass rusher for the Chiefs.
Round 3 (Pick 86): Edmund Gates, WR
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The biggest need for the Chiefs is undoubtedly at the wide receiver position. The Chiefs were able to succeed last year with Dwayne Bowe as their only real receiving threat, but to make it to the next level, the Chiefs will need to improve their offense with a second receiver.
The Chiefs will be looking for an athletic receiver who is a deep threat as well as a threat in the end zone. With Edmund Gates, the Chiefs would get both.
Gates proved his speed at his pro day performance when he was able to run a 4.37 40-yard dash with a groin injury. He also has an amazing ability to go up and get the ball—a valuable skill in the red zone for sure.
Despite the fact that Gates looks to be the most athletic receiver in the draft, he is slated to be a third-round choice. This is almost entirely based on the program he comes from with many being afraid that he hasn’t proven his ability against NFL-caliber talent. The Chiefs have seen enough in him, though, to invite him for a private workout.
With Gates the Chiefs would get a great complement to Dwayne Bowe that will expand the passing game as well as open up the running game a bit more.
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Round 4 (Pick 118): Ricky Stanzi
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Last year’s 31-0 loss to the Chargers proved one thing to Chiefs fans: Brody Croyle is not an adequate backup for Matt Cassel. With Cassel out after an emergency appendectomy, the Chiefs passing game was nonexistent and left many Chiefs faithful praying for a quick recovery from Cassel.
Inexplicably, many Chiefs fans still do not believe that Cassel has the ability to lead the Chiefs. To appease these fans and increase depth at quarterback, the Chiefs should draft Ricky Stanzi. Stanzi is a prototypical quarterback. At Iowa, he was able to lead the team to a 9-0 start in 2009 before injuries derailed the Hawkeyes.
Stanzi would bring something Chiefs backups have lacked in the past few years: poise under pressure. With experience starting in a system that operates like an NFL team, has been able to operate under pressure. He has the ability to make a strong throw while scrambling and has a very strong arm.
While he has been known to try to force the ball into spots he shouldn’t, his decision-making should improve, making Stanzi a solid backup and future starter.
Round 5 (Pick 135): Tim Barnes, C
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With Pro Bowl center Casey Wiegmann nearing retirement, the Chiefs will be looking for a replacement on the offensive line. This replacement will need to be very near ready for NFL play with many expecting Wiegmann to retire even before the start of the season.
Enter Tim Barnes.
Barnes would bring a young leadership to the team as he anchored the offensive line at Missouri. He is a proven run blocker who is able to come off the ball with strength. With a small amount of work on his movement, Barnes will also succeed on the pass block. Most importantly, Barnes would be able to start this season.
One concern many might have about Barnes is his health, with him having been the recipient of surgery on both of his shoulders. This should not be of little concern, proven by Barnes starting every game for the last three years at Missouri.
Round 5 (Pick 140): Lee Ziemba, OT
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A major need for the Chiefs can be found on the offensive line. Last season found Matt Cassel under pressure too often from opposing pass rushers. Without providing Cassel more time in the pocket, the Chiefs passing game will have a hard time getting downfield.
Lee Ziemba provides the Chiefs with a good run blocker that is able to open up lanes that speedster Jamaal Charles will be able to take advantage of.
Ziemba already has the instincts to see where he needs to be for the block and how to stop would-be pass rushers as well. While his pass blocking is not as strong as it could be at this time, with some more time in the weight room, Ziemba would be able to protect Cassel and allow him more time in the pocket.
Most importantly, Ziemba has the work ethic that will allow him to grow as an NFL player.
Round 6 (Pick 199): Jarriel King, OT/G
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When it comes to the Chiefs offensive line, the more the merrier.
With Jarriel King, the Chiefs would get exactly what they need on the offensive line—a player who can both run and pass block well.
With limited experience at the tackle spot, King showed an excellent ability to get off the line and shut down a pass rush. He is raw at this spot, but with some work he will improve. He also has good speed, giving him the ability to get downfield and block on running plays.
The biggest concern with King will be his personal issues. If the Chiefs are able to keep this in check, King could provide a relief to their passing game.
Round 7 (Pick 223): Jamie Harper, RB
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Last season, the Chiefs prided themselves on their running game’s two-pronged approach. While Jamaal Charles provided an explosive presence out of the backfield, Thomas Jones provided a steady running attack that wore down defenses.
With Jones aging, though, the Chiefs will be looking to find a potential backup to Jones.
Jamie Harper provides the Chiefs with a bigger back that possesses the ability to make a defender miss. Combined with the speed that Charles provides, Harper would bring a slower and more finesse-oriented game.
As well as running the ball, Harper has good hands for a running back. He could easily become an asset with the Chiefs tendency to throw short passes.
Harper would be one of the very few choices who would immediately be able to play a role in the Chiefs backfield. Expect the Chiefs to take advantage of the situation if Harper is available.
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