2011 NFL Draft Results: Kansas City Chiefs' Scott Pioli Rolls the Dice

Well, this certainly was not the draft I expected. Just when I thought I figured Pioli out, he pulls the old "switch-a-roo".

As with all other drafts, its much too early to grade. On the positive end, this could be one of the Chiefs strongest drafts ever. On the flip side? Well, you don't want to know.

This years draft is dripping with potential. Some reaction from scouts? They call one a "freak of nature", another a "greek god" and a third "the sky's the limit." Pretty powerful accolades

But no matter how you slice it, he certainly is rolling the dice. In past seasons, the Chiefs stayed with their blueprint of drafting highly motivated team captains with football IQ and great leadership skills.

Six of their draft picks were team captains, and at least three were true "Pioli guys", but others were gambles on greatness

My opinion is that Pioli felt he already had a lot of high character players and team leaders already in place, so why not take a shot at a few who weren't. He did that in New England when he acquired Randy Moss, but there is a big difference. The Patriots had a Veteran team of high character players. The Chiefs have much younger players. Everyone will have to share the load of keeping some of these picks motivated. Here's how I see it:

1) Jonathan Baldwin (WR) Pittsburgh

This is a player I am very familiar with, maybe more so than the Chief's scouts. I have met him and both saw and analyzed every one of his games also living here in Pittsburgh.

The word here is potential. Baldwin is huge. There are very few WR in the game that can match his size and speed. He is a true vertical threat, who is at his best going deep and out leaping CBs in the end zone. His workouts were off the charts. But there are definitely negatives

For one thing he is one of those lazy, "go through the motions" type WR. He is very immature, and I don't get the impression he wants to be great. He won't block, he basically quit on the team here in Pittsburgh. He accused the coaches of not throwing the ball to him in order to hurt his draft status. He had his hands full when playing against Brandon Harris and Johnny Patrick, who both limited him to 3 catches for 25 yards and 0 touchdowns.

He needs alot of help on routes and he needs alot of coaching and a better work ethic. You won't see him as a starter, more of a redzone guy. He is a glider, similar to USC Mike Williams when he came out. All in all, I can't say it was a great pick, but the potential is there. Haley brought out the best in Bowe, maybe he can do it again. If he does their prayers are answered

I hated to see them pass on Castonzo though. I would have jumped for joy.

2) Rodney Hudson (C'OG) Florida State

Boy, do I love this pick. He has Pioli written all over him. I can't think of another future Center that will come close to him.. His intangibles are off the charts. He'll scream at his offensive lineman if they make any mistakes and makes all the players on the line better than they are.

He played Guard his whole career, but he projects best at Center. Forget about the knocks about being small. They said the same about Casey Weigman. They had to take this guy. Their best pick.

3) Justin Houston (OLB) Georgia.

Boy is he scary. 270 lb OLB who ran faster and tested better than any of the LB at the combine. 440 Bench Press? When Georgia went to a 3/4 this past year, he came on like gangbusters.

He had 10 sacks (could have been 20 if he played as hard as Hali plays). He has played Defensive End and Linebacker. Like Hali, he's a liability in coverage, but he and Hali will put plenty of pressure on the QB. He may be the answer.

On the negative side, he dropped because he tested positive for drugs at the Combine. He also, like Baldwin, doesn't give much effort on the back end. Still, there is no way they could pass on him for the higher character Sam Acho. Houston needs to devote himself and play hard all the time, and he will need Vrabel and Hali to push him. He also needs to work at the position or may end up just a designated rusher 

3) Allen Bailey (DE) Miami

This guy is a beast. One of the strongest players I have ever seen. In fact he is so strong, I thought he has a chance at NT. Bailey lacks instincts and doesn't make many plays but he won't have to, and believe me he will push Tyson Jackson for that starting role. He was a need pick, they really had no other player who can do in a rotation what Bailey can. He moves inside as a rusher on 3rd downs. Nicknamed "Popeye", he was a very solid value pick. Spare time activity? Wrestles alligators. 

4) Jalil Brown (CB) Colorado

He was tested over and over this year as teams stayed away from Jimmy Smith, and he held up very well. Tall, fast, and like most Chief Corners very "fiesty". He'll be very aggressive and press WR to hell at the line and has the instincts to jump routes. He does lack blazing speed, but as long as they stick with a Cover 2, he'll be fine. May even replace Carr in 2012 when Carr becomes a free agent

5) Ricky Stanzi (QB) Iowa

Are you kidding me? Do people feel Andy Dalton is better than this kid. What are they smoking? Stanzi has had comparisons to a young Tom Brady or at worst the next Matt Schaub. Pencil him in at #2. He is going to start for some team in the NFL for a long time and is one of the Chiefs greatest draft picks. Pioli guy all the way 

5) Gabe Miller (LB) Oregon State

This pick was puzzling. Miller played two years at Oregon State at TE (averaged 16 yards per catch). He then moved to Defensive End in 2009, where he played two years next to Steve Paea. He had 5 sacks in their last three games because Paea got all the attention. At 6'3, 250 with 4.64 speed, the Chiefs are projecting him at LB. That will be his third position in 4 years. Evidently, they liked what they saw. I doubted they went out to scout this kid. They scouted Paea and noticed Miller was always active making plays and thought, "what a sleeper".

Oh, what could have been. They could have worked out two trades with Cleveland and Detroit by trading that pick down that could have still brought them an OLB with pass rush ability like Bruce Miller or Jeremy Beal instead of Miller and also added Quan Sturdivant( He led the nation in solo tackles) to start at ILB over Belcher, and Dwayne Harris, a Wide Reciever that some said would be a perfect fit for the Chief Offense. Big mistake by Pioli here. 

6) Jerrel Powe (NT) Ole Mississippi

This guy might be the steal of the draft. Powe was actually projected as a first round pick a year ago. Powe is interesting. In 2009 he played at 365 lbs and was beast. He absolutely crushed the pocket and split double teams constanly. He did have a problem though, namely balance. He was always on the ground

Last year he dropped 60-lbs and played at 300 and didn't do anything. My guess is that if they can keep him in the 335 range, he'll be every bit as good as Phil Taylor. In 2009 he was a hell of alot better. Powe must also keep his emotions in check. He is a big fan of "excessive celebration". I liked Chris Neild of WVU as a safe pick, but this guy may be the steal of the draft

7) Shane Bannon (FB) Yale

Fine as a short yardage lead blocker and may help on special teams but for a guy who goes 265 he had only 14 Bench reps. He also has problems on the second level. However this kid can be an explosive blocker

Interesting story about this kid. He was not seen as a prospect by anyone until 6 weeks before the draft. A Yale coach asked an agent if he would please look at this kid and give an evaluation. Bannon had no thoughts about playing in the NFL, he was ready to enter law school. The agent liked what he saw and sent tapes to many teams. After a quick workout, the Chiefs were sold on him. They had not even heard of him.

Overall, based on talent and potential alone, this was a tremendous draft but there are a lot of "ifs". Haley has to take Baldwin under his wing, Vrabel, the same with Houston, and  Hali needs to show him how to give 100 percent. Pleasant and Dorsey will be role models for Powe

Believe me, there are many question marks here, many boom or busts in this group but I think this group will pull thru. Lets hope Baldwin plays with more dedication and intensity so he can be a No. 2 instead of just a red zone threat

Mr Piloi, you are truly full of surprises .