NFL Draft: Kansas City Chiefs Team Draft Retrospective

This article is part of a series that looks at each NFL team’s recent draft history with the hope of extracting information about the way they think and the players they value.

The analysis is limited to the past five drafts in the interest of relevance, and the first three rounds because that’s where most impact players are taken.

This entry will focus on the Kansas City Chiefs.

Draft History

In the past five years, the Chiefs have taken the following players in the early rounds. Their positions and the rounds in which they were drafted are listed next to their names.

2006:   Tamba Hali, DE (1)

            Bernard Pollard, S (2)

            Brodie Croyle, QB (3)

2007:   Dwayne Bowe, WR (1)

            Turk McBride, DE (2)

            Tank Tyler, DT (3)

2008:   Glenn Dorsey, DT (1)

            Branden Albert, OT (1)

            Brandon Flowers, CB (2)

            Jamaal Charles, RB (3)

            Brad Cottam, TE (3)

            DaJuan Morgan, S (3)

2009:   Tyson Jackson, DE (1)

            Alex Magee, DT (3)

2010:   Eric Berry, S (1)

            Dexter McCluster, RB (2)

            Javier Arenas, CB (2)

            Jon Asamoah, G (3)

            Tony Moeaki, TE (3)

Breakdown by Position

Here is the number of players the Chiefs have drafted for each position:

Defensive end: 3

Defensive tackle: 3

Safety: 3

Cornerback: 2

Running back: 2

Tight end: 2

Guard: 1

Offensive tackle: 1

Quarterback: 1

Wide receiver: 1

Impact

Tamba Hali has been a strong pass rusher from day one in the NFL, but in 2010, he exploded for 14.5 sacks, establishing himself as one of the best outside linebackers in the league. Dwayne Bowe has followed a similar arc, producing consistently but really hitting his stride this past season. Brandon Flowers is one of the best young corners in the league.

Jamaal Charles is one of the game’s finest rushers, coming very close to setting the single season record for yards per attempt this past year. Eric Berry played very well for a rookie safety, while Tony Moeaki was a productive tight end and Dexter McCluster and Javier Arenas both contributed in special teams.

Trends

The Chiefs have paid a lot of attention to the defensive line, using three picks apiece at end and tackle. The results have been largely underwhelming, but Tamba Hali makes up for the misses. However, Hali is now an outside linebacker, so the defensive line is still less than stellar.

Kansas City has also curiously taken three safeties and two tight ends—positions that are typically not valued atop the draft. 

The Chiefs took six early picks in 2008 and five more in 2010. General manager Scott Pioli, who has a history of accumulating draft picks, would love to do so again.

 
2011 Outlook

First-round picks Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson are entrenched at the ends of the three man front, and while neither has been a smashing success, they’re not going anywhere yet. The nose tackle position, however, is a huge area of need given its importance in a 3-4 scheme. Phil Taylor (Baylor) is undeniably the best nose tackle available, and despite some concerns over his weight and the health of his foot, Taylor is well worth the 21st pick.

Scott Pioli may even be able to trade down, grab some later picks, and still come away with Taylor. If Pioli is not sold on him for whatever reason, he could wait until the second and hope for Stephen Paea (Oregon State), or more realistically, Kenrick Ellis (Hampton).

While Tamba Hali has been phenomenal, the Chiefs don’t have a good complement for him. There’s an outside chance that Jabaal Sheard (Pittsburgh) could fall to them in the second, but a more likely option is Sam Acho (Texas) in the second or Dontay Moch (Nevada) in the third.

Similarly, the Chiefs could really use a decent receiving option to draw coverage away from Dwayne Bowe. Torrey Smith (Maryland), Jonathan Baldwin (Pittsburgh), and Leonard Hankerson (Miami) will be in the discussion.

The playoff loss to Baltimore also exposed the offensive line, especially the tackles. This year’s class is top heavy, so unless the Chiefs love Gabe Carimi (Wisconsin), Anthony Castonzo (BC) or Derek Sherrod (Mississippi State), they can wait until the third round, where they can pick up someone like James Brewer (Indiana) or Joseph Barksdale (LSU).