Senior Bowl practice comment

Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

East West Shrine Game

Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

C-

2009 COLLEGE DRAFT REPORT CARD

by Jay Goldberg

If Cassel is added into the mix for a grade, the C- becomes a C+.  One reason the grade would have stayed in the "C's" is that Thigpen proved to me that he was a quarterback you could win with and if Croyle could ever stay healthy, he could also be a plus quarterback.  While the Chiefs made some good picks, I also believe they made some head-scratching ones and had some missed opportunities.

DRAFT PICKS

Jackson shot up draft boards because he was one of the few defensive ends that fit perfectly in the 3-4 defense.  However, in my opinion, #3 in the draft was too much of a reach.  My selection would have been B. J. Raji, who would have secured the nose for Kansas City at a very high level for years.

Magee was an excellent pick in round three.  He is stronger and quicker than Jackson and will form a good three man rotation at end along with Dorsey.   It wouldn't shock me long term if he out-performs Jackson at end.  If Kansas City went Raji in round one, then Magee would have been drafted to start.

Washington is a tremendous athlete with good size, acceptable speed and good quickness.  He will need time, but should develop into a good corner.  However, I liked Macho Harris more at this spot, and Mickens and Lankster were good values late in the draft.

The Chiefs liked Brown a lot more than I did.  While he has a big frame, he will need a lot of work before he can be relied on to play on offense.  I know there are some off-the-field concerns with Jamon Meredith, however I would have jumped at the chance to take him here.  Meredith would have started on the right side at either tackle or guard (he is strong and quick) for K.C. right (pun intended) away.

I understand the selection of Lawrence.  The kid is strong, can fly and has a future in the league.  He will be a plus special teams player while he hones his craft.

Okay, Kansas City fans, you will finally get me to say something you have been waiting for; I love the selection of Williams.  Long term he is a perfect back to pair with Charles.  Williams is a strong between the tackles runner who can move the pile, get the tough yards and has a good burst of speed.  He will not be an every down back, but will be a valuable member of the team.

O'Connell is an athletic h-back who can catch and has the strength to develop into a\n effective blocker.  This is another good get late in the draft by the Chiefs.

While Kansas City needed a kicker to compete with Barth, I would have drafted Sakoda or even Gano, over Succop.  Sakoda is the only player to be first team All American at punter (2007) and kicker (2008).  

COLLEGE STREET FREE AGENTS

Fryar played well at a college that has brought wide receiver Greg Jennings and tight end Tony Schleffler to the NFL recently.  However, he will have a difficult time making the team with all the young corners on the Chiefs' roster.

Goldberg gets more than a mention for his tremendous last name.  He is very strong.  He has very quick feet.  He is a good athlete.  And he started for three years.  Look for this kid to be a surprise of the camp and make the team.

Johnson is a solid player who will get lost in the numbers for a roster spot, but will be a priority for Kansas City to sign to their development squad.

Smith is a quick outside linebacker, who can cut on a dime and has the ability to transition from outside linebacker to strong safety.  If he makes the team he will be a top special teams cover guy.

Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

Player who will have a better NFL career than many drafted higher than him.

While most will point to Dorsey and Albert for the Chiefs getting an "A" for this draft, their whole draft was superb.  Long term, Cottam and Johnson could be just as important to K.C. as the big two.  I also loved the signing of college street free agent Arthur and Robinson could develop into a dangerous return man.  The only down side is that K.C. could have used anothe offensive lineman who could start immediately.  Oh well, everything can't be addressed in one year.

DRAFT PICKS

I was in the minority, but I had Ellis as my top defensive tackle.  However, I can't fault the Chiefs for taking Dorsey based on his play at LSU.  Dorsey is a disruptive force at tackle and will help against the run and the pass if the Chiefs use him wisely.  He is definitely a lonmg term building block for the Chiefs' defense. 

Albert was another player others had rated slightly higher than I.  He could be a dominating run blocker as a guard, but he jumped up draft boards because teams felt he could be a quality starting left tackle.  As a left tackle he will have to add strength and will need time before he becomes a top pass blocker at left tackle.  Worst case Albert will be an above average left tackle.  As the fifteenth pick that would be fine.  If K.C. grabbed him at the fifth spot as some projected, that would not have been fine.

Flowers has good man-to-man cover skills.  He is very quick and changes directions well.  He also has good anticipation which helps make up for his average speed and plays physically.

Charles was good value in round three.  Personally, my selection would have been guard Jeremy Zuttah who could have started on the Chiefs' line from day one and been a solid pro for years.  Charles gives the Chiefs a speed option at running back, one who can score from anywhere on the field.  He also runs better between the tackles than many think and could be a starting running back down the line if needed.

I love the potential of Brad Cottam.  At almost 6'8" and 270 pounds he ran a 4.63 forty!  He showed terrific hands at the Senior Bowl practices and showed a willingness to block.  The knock on him is that he hasn't been able to stay healthy.  If he does the Chiefs have their replacement for the aging, but still top-drawer Tony Gonzalez.  I also think the Chiefs could use a lot of two-tight-end offenses this year with Gonzalez and Cottam to offer quick, big, reliable targets for Croyle.

Morgan was one of the better safeties in this draft.  He is more of a threat to Page than Pollard, but can play either safety spot.  Morgan has good size, strength and speed, but is not a player I would use to cover the quicker tight ends which is why I believe he is better at free safety than strong safety.  He will be a core special teams player while he tries to crack KC's starting lineup.

Franklin is a tremendous athlete with excellent speed who needs to learn the wide receiver position.  He got by in college on his speed and athleticism.  He could develop into a dangerous number three receiver.

Carr has good height for a corner and has good speed and quickness.  He will need time to develop, and his best position long-term could be free safety, but the kid has talent.  I can see him becoming the nickel and growing into a starter, but I can also see him off the team in three years.  Carr is a risk, but a good one for a team that needs a developmental corner.

Richardson is a big kid who performed well in college but didn't have the measureables for a team to feel confident he could transfer his skills to the NFL.  That is especially true because he plays more of a finesse game that a physical game which is surprising for a kid his size.  I had a higher grade on Richardson than some because I believe he can be brought along to play more physically, and become a solid backup or  adequate starter.

Kevin Robinson is a player I kept wanting to place on my "under-valued" list, but whose workouts just wouldn't let me pull the trigger.  The kid is a playmaker.  He has good hands and can cut on a dime.  Watching him you wouldn't believe the pedestrian speed and quickness numbers he put up during workouts.  While he may never make it to KC's receiver rotation, I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes the primary return man and does extremely well in that role. 

Brian Johnson is the steal of this draft.  The Chiefs traded Allen and, in time, Johnson could be his replacement.  He is very fast and very quick for a someone his size and has good pass rushing skills.  Coming from a small school he will need time, but worst case he will be a rush end in the nickel.  Best case he will grow into a solid starter.

Merritt is a pass blocking tight end who could be moved to fullback.

COLLEGE STREET FREE AGENTS

Arthur is a kid Chief fans should watch closely.  He was very productive in college, has good size and excellent hands.  He may never be a star or a starter (although I wouldn't be very surprised if he peaks as a #2 receiver), but would be a reliable and valuable fourth receiver.  Arthur is smart, knows how to get open and rarely drops the ball.  

Dingle was a pass rushing defensive end at West Virginia, but didn't show the speed or athleticism during workouts to give NFL teams confidence he could do the same thing in the NFL.  He is certainly worth a look as a free agent based on his college play.

McDuffie was Richardson's teammate at Clemson and performed well as a run-blocking guard.  As a convert from defense, McDuffie has upside and could spend a year on the Chiefs' practice squad before challenging for a roster spot next year.

McCrae will have a tough timer making this roster but he is a tough, between the tackles, hard-running back who could land on KC's practice squad and be brought up to the "varsity" if there is an injury.