pbatrucker
01-31-2011, 02:00 PM
Chiefs going D in Round 1?
10:52AM ET
Kansas City Chiefs
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(http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/kc/kansas-city-chiefs)Though the Kansas City Chiefs (http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/kc/kansas-city-chiefs) have needs at wide receiver and on the offensive line, Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star (http://www.kansascity.com/2011/01/30/2621466/chiefs-need-receiver-but-use-top.html) writes that they may use their first pick on the defensive side of the ball instead.
The Chiefs can use the help on defense, but another factor is the way this current draft class is shaping up. When it comes to the WR position, the top two players -- A.J. Green and Julio Jones -- are both expected to be off the board by the time the Chiefs are up. As for the defenders the Chiefs may be considering, Teicher lists linebackers Aldon Smith (Missouri), Justin Houston (Georgia), Akeem Ayers (UCLA), and defensive lineman Cameron Jordan from Cal.
In his first mock draft, ESPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper, Jr. had the Chiefs sticking with defense, but going with Oregon State's Stephen Paea while Todd McShay had them taking Smith in his:
- Tim Kavanagh
http://www.chiefscrowd.com/forums/images/imported/2011/01/80.jpg Mel Kiper, Jr.
Paea a force in the middle (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2011/insider/news/story?page=KiperMockDraft1.0)
"Among personnel people, I find a wide range of opinion on Paea. Some think he's an anchor on the defensive line, a force that could go much higher. Others see some inconsistency and believe he could fall to the second round. He'll be a guy to watch during the draft process. Still, what he can do is immediately strengthen a rush defense. He occupies blocks with great leverage and big-time strength. Paea will do a number on the bench-press. Not a great penetrator but he frees up tacklers and fits this system."
http://www.chiefscrowd.com/forums/images/imported/2011/01/81.jpg Todd McShay
Smith a nice complement to Hali (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2011/insider/news/story?id=6036153)
"Kansas City needs a pass-rusher opposite Tamba Hali (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=9606) and Smith is one of the more underrated players in this draft. He's a little undersized for a 4-3 end but is a perfect fit at outside linebacker in the Chiefs' 3-4 defense."
10:52AM ET
Kansas City Chiefs
Top (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/features/rumors#TOP)
Email (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/features/rumors#)
Comments (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/features/rumors/_/id/7862/display/comment)
Share (http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Finsider.espn.go.com%2Fnf l%2Ffeatures%2Frumors%2F_%2Fid%2F7862&src=sp)
(http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/kc/kansas-city-chiefs)Though the Kansas City Chiefs (http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/kc/kansas-city-chiefs) have needs at wide receiver and on the offensive line, Adam Teicher of the Kansas City Star (http://www.kansascity.com/2011/01/30/2621466/chiefs-need-receiver-but-use-top.html) writes that they may use their first pick on the defensive side of the ball instead.
The Chiefs can use the help on defense, but another factor is the way this current draft class is shaping up. When it comes to the WR position, the top two players -- A.J. Green and Julio Jones -- are both expected to be off the board by the time the Chiefs are up. As for the defenders the Chiefs may be considering, Teicher lists linebackers Aldon Smith (Missouri), Justin Houston (Georgia), Akeem Ayers (UCLA), and defensive lineman Cameron Jordan from Cal.
In his first mock draft, ESPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper, Jr. had the Chiefs sticking with defense, but going with Oregon State's Stephen Paea while Todd McShay had them taking Smith in his:
- Tim Kavanagh
http://www.chiefscrowd.com/forums/images/imported/2011/01/80.jpg Mel Kiper, Jr.
Paea a force in the middle (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2011/insider/news/story?page=KiperMockDraft1.0)
"Among personnel people, I find a wide range of opinion on Paea. Some think he's an anchor on the defensive line, a force that could go much higher. Others see some inconsistency and believe he could fall to the second round. He'll be a guy to watch during the draft process. Still, what he can do is immediately strengthen a rush defense. He occupies blocks with great leverage and big-time strength. Paea will do a number on the bench-press. Not a great penetrator but he frees up tacklers and fits this system."
http://www.chiefscrowd.com/forums/images/imported/2011/01/81.jpg Todd McShay
Smith a nice complement to Hali (http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2011/insider/news/story?id=6036153)
"Kansas City needs a pass-rusher opposite Tamba Hali (http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=9606) and Smith is one of the more underrated players in this draft. He's a little undersized for a 4-3 end but is a perfect fit at outside linebacker in the Chiefs' 3-4 defense."