The Chiefs saw a big turnaround in 2010, finishing 10-6, making the playoffs, and winning the AFC West for the first time since 2003. The rebuilding that began with the hiring of Head Coach Todd Haley and General Manager Scott Pioli is starting to show solid results. Pioli was considered one of the best talent evaluators when he was with the Patriots. And he was highly regarded for his ability to build a cohesive team through the draft and free agency, not just collect individual talent like most of the clowns in the NFL (Dan Snyder, I'm looking at you). There was even some talk around New England that Pioli was the true genius in Foxborough, and the Pats would suffer in the draft after he left. Those claims are laughable at this point, with the Patriots coming off one of their best drafts ever, and poised to have another great drat this year.
Not to be outdone, however, Pioli has, himself, built a solid team in Kansas City. A team that closely resembles the Patriots championship teams of the early 2000's. The Chiefs are a ball control offense, leading the league in rushing in 2010. They do have some aerial firepower as well with Matt Cassell and Dwayne Bowe, but the focus of the team is on running the football, playing solid defense, and capitalizing on turnovers. A page right out of the Belichick handbook (maybe Belichick should take another look at that page). The Chiefs have taken defensive players in the 1st rounds of the last two drafts. Tyson Jackson has yet to live up to the potential that saw him selected # 3 overall in 2009. But last years 1st rounder Eric Berry more than exceeded expectations. Berry led the team in interceptions, and was second on the team in tackles. His performance played a huge part in the Chiefs defense improving from 29th in the league in 2009, to 11th overall last season. Berry was also the first Chiefs rookie to reach the pro bowl since Kansas City legend Derrick Thomas was selected following the 1989 season.
This year, Pioli and the Chiefs will stay on the defensive side of the ball, and select:
(INSERT OFFENSIVE NAME) #21 OVERALL MOCK DRAFT PICK:
PHIL TAYLOR - DT, BAYLOR
No, not Phil Taylor the legendary 15-time World Champion darts player. Phil Taylor the monster nose tackle from Baylor. That Phil Taylor. A solid nose tackle is imperative for a 3-4 defense, which the Chiefs switched to two years ago, and Taylor is the perfect fit. He is the top prospect at the position in the draft, and he would give Pioli and Defensive Coordinator Romeo Crennel a Vince Wilfork type player to anchor the defensive line. At 338 pounds, Taylor is solid enough to stop the run, yet quick enough to make plays in the backfield and outside the hash marks, just like Big Vince. Much like Da'Quan Bowers however, Taylor could slip in this draft due to injury. Taylor has a condition that causes the bones to grow together in his feet, causing a great deal of pain. There is no surgery that can repair this, so it up to Taylor's ability to handle the pain that will determine how much of a force he can become in the NFL. If he's anywhere as tough as Phil Taylor the darts player, though, he should be just fine.
Entire Mock Draft:
- Carolina Panthers - Marcell Dareus
- Denver Broncos - Patrick Peterson
- Buffalo Bills - Cam Newton
- Cincinnati Bengals - A.J. Green
- Arizona Cardinals - Blaine Gabbert
- Cleveland Browns - Julio Jones
- San Francisco 49ers - Von Miller
- Tennessee Titans - Nick Fairley
- Dallas Cowboys - Prince Amukamara
- Washington Redskins - Jake Locker
- Houston Texans - Robert Quinn
- Minnesota Vikings - J.J Watt
- Detroit Lions - Tyron Smith
- St. Louis Rams - Aldon Smith
- Miami Dolphins - Mike Pouncey
- Jacksonville Jaguars - Cameron Jordan
- New England Patriots - Ryan Kerrigan
- San Diego Charger - Muhammad Wilkerson
- New York Giants - Anthony Castonzo
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Da'Quan Bowers
- Kansas City Chiefs - Phil Taylor
No comments:
Post a Comment