Mock Offseason 2.0

[texaschief]

No point in doing a mock draft if you don't first show who you'd sign in free agency. That being said, here we go:

Signed UFAs:
Stanford Routt-already signed
La'Ron McClain
Wallace Gilberry
Brandon Carr
Dwayne Bowe

Carl Nicks OR Ben Grubbs
Paul Saliai
Peyton Manning- I know every fan base in the league wants this guy. However, few teams present the elite youth and upside, WR corps, and cap space of the Chiefs. A new OC and a front office and coaching staff who are intimately familiar with what Peyton is capable of doesn't hurt either. The Chiefs want to bring in competition for Cassel... well, put your money where your mouth is.

Draft:
Chiefs trade #11 overall and their 5th round pick to the Patriots who want to move up to take Melvin Ingram or Quinton Coples to play DE in their new 4-3. Chiefs get #27 and #31 overall.

Chiefs trade Glenn Dorsey and their 4th round pick to St. Louis for #33 overall.

#27-OT Mike Adams
#31-C Peter Konz
#33-NT Dontari Poe
#44-ILB Vontaze Burfict
#75-DE Jared Crick (replace Dorsey)

Offense:
LT-Albert
LG-Hudson
C-Konz
RG-Nicks/Grubbs
RT-Adams
TE-Moeaki
WR-Bowe, Baldwin, Breaston, McCluster
RB-Charles
FB-McClain
QB-Manning

Defense:
FS-Routt
SS-Berry
CB-Flowers, Carr
ILB-DJ, Burfict
OLB-Hali, Houston
DE-Jackson, Crick
NT-Soliai, Poe, Powe

I'll take that trophy now...

[okikcfan]

Wow impressive.....If only things could be that easy....

[texaschief]

Wow impressive.....If only things could be that easy....

If you took each of those moves independently, none of them are too difficult to accomplish. The Patriots ABSOLUTELY are in DIRE need of a pass rush. The Rams will be looking for some help on the DLine as well. Being that they run a 4-3, Dorsey would be a no-brainer with the #33 overall.

[pojote]

Way too young O-line, I wouldn't place two rookies starting there.

[KCCF]

Manning Carr bowe and nicks. Would we even have enough for all them?

[OPLookn]

Manning Carr bowe and nicks. Would we even have enough for all them?

Short answer...no.

Before anyone gets their panties in a bunch these are just my opinions, I'm not speaking for anyone nor do I think that my opinion is the end all be all.../end disclosure.

Long answer - Let's say Carr goes for cheap and lets us have him for 7 million, Bowe says 9, Nicks says 6 (NO is talking about paying either Nicks or Brees and then franchising the other). That puts us up to 22 million. If we give Manning 5 million a year (dirt cheap) that puts us up to 27 million for just this year alone.

Yes we have a butt load of money for this year but we just signed Routt to 6.3 million a year, Dorsey AND Albert are coming up for contract which actually might lower our payments since I don't think either will end up commanding what they got as rookies. The other thing to consider is that we have a bunch of other guys to resign too as well as drafted players and any other free agents we want to bring in for backup/competition.

I don't think we can shell out that much money to get those four and be able to bring in a more complete team then we did last year. In reality I think we shell out 7 or 8 million per year for 4 or 5 years on Bowe and front load the contract for this year plus a fat signing bonus (something like 5 to 10 million to bring it up to 8-10 mil a year) but there are performance clauses on about 2 or 3 million of his contract.

Manning just flat out isn't coming here. I know people want him but he just isn't the QB that he use to be. His reflexes have gotten slower, he'll have been off for almost a year and a half and the guy is going to be 34 in a month. Can he read the defense and run a tight ship yes but he'd have to learn our offense, get comfortable with everyone and then not get hammered on during the season. Not to mention the last thing he wants to do is come to a new team and have to beat out the starter(Cassel).

Nicks gets resigned with the Saints and Carr hits free agency and is signed with someone else.

Texas, nothing against you but I just can't see the Pats trading up that high and giving up two first rounders. It goes in the opposite direction of everything they've done in the past decade.

The Dorsey to the Rams is an interesting scenario. He's only got one more year on his contract, isn't a prototypical 3-4 DE and it'd give us the #33 which is basically another first round pick. I like it! It sets back our DLine but I don't see Dorsey staying with the Chiefs. He'd want to much money and I think he wants to go to a 4-3 defense. I love the pick of Crick. He was a stud for Nebraska but had a torn pectoral muscle that put him out his entire senior season. So as long as we can make sure that he's 100% good to go, love those events.

My alternate to that would be pick up Adams or a RT, then if possible take Poe, Burfict...not my ideal guy but sure and then Crick. All in all very interesting write up, thx for putting it together!

[okikcfan]

Manning just flat out isn't coming here.

Well not to give away my age or anything, but I have been around long enough to say that nothing would surprise me. "Never say Never" Now I'm not a big fan of having Manning come to KC but there was a time when I never dreamed of Joe Montana coming to KC either. To say I was shocked and disappointed at the first news of it is an understatement. A banged up Montana was the last thing I felt we needed. But it worked. He did do well. The game I will never ever forget was what I called the blizzard bowl. John Elway vs Joe Montana, an edge of your seat game all the way to the final seconds. Chiefs won 31-28 at Mile high in a really bad snow storm. Just sayin ya never know what will happen till it's all said and done......:chiefs:

[jason1981]

first why would we replace osomoah or however u spell his name. i dont like any of your mock draft. well its not bad but think ur overdrafting oline when we have osamoah when u have us signing nicks and grubbs and also moving hudson to guard. if anything sign nick or grubbs and draft OT first then best available player after.

lt-albert
lg-nicks or grubb
c-hudson
rg-osamoah
rt-draft pick

i think overdrafting is prolly not a bad thing for depth wise but later picks depending on the draft boards and grades. just dont want to reach. i want ot, then nt in draft. dont know if there is a good nt in draft though so i do hope we get the giy from miami.

[jason1981]

im mobile so its hard to type. forgive all grammer errors.

[Three7s]

I'd want more than just a 2nd rounder for Dorsey. I don't care if it's a very early 2nd. I'm not saying a top 5 pick, but Dorsey has very quietly done his job and done it well since 2010.

[AussieChiefsFan]

No point in doing a mock draft if you don't first show who you'd sign in free agency. That being said, here we go:

Signed UFAs:
Stanford Routt-already signed
La'Ron McClain
Wallace Gilberry
Brandon Carr
Dwayne Bowe

Carl Nicks OR Ben Grubbs
Paul Saliai
Peyton Manning- I know every fan base in the league wants this guy. However, few teams present the elite youth and upside, WR corps, and cap space of the Chiefs. A new OC and a front office and coaching staff who are intimately familiar with what Peyton is capable of doesn't hurt either. The Chiefs want to bring in competition for Cassel... well, put your money where your mouth is.

Draft:
Chiefs trade #11 overall and their 5th round pick to the Patriots who want to move up to take Melvin Ingram or Quinton Coples to play DE in their new 4-3. Chiefs get #27 and #31 overall.

Chiefs trade Glenn Dorsey and their 4th round pick to St. Louis for #33 overall.

#27-OT Mike Adams
#31-C Peter Konz
#33-NT Dontari Poe
#44-ILB Vontaze Burfict
#75-DE Jared Crick (replace Dorsey)

Offense:
LT-Albert
LG-Hudson
C-Konz
RG-Nicks/Grubbs
RT-Adams
TE-Moeaki
WR-Bowe, Baldwin, Breaston, McCluster
RB-Charles
FB-McClain
QB-Manning

Defense:
FS-Routt
SS-Berry
CB-Flowers, Carr
ILB-DJ, Burfict
OLB-Hali, Houston
DE-Jackson, Crick
NT-Soliai, Poe, Powe

I'll take that trophy now...

Looking a lot like a championship team!

[jap1]

I would have to agree with the person who said we don't need a guard AND a center. One or the other should suffice since Hudson can play both positions.

I also am doubtful NE would trade two 1st round picks for one player, then again their window is closing and they have to make a move sooner rather than later.

A more likely trade would possibly be with Cincinatti if they really want Trent Richardson and he drops to us or if the top CB drops to us. We would probably have to give up our 2nd or 3rd and 4th round picks. It depends on what they would be able to negotiate.

As far as they Dorsey trade, I am torn. I think he is extremely valuable to us, more than most people would think. My biggest concern is whether we could fill his role with a rookie DE. It took 2-3 hrs for Dorsey, which is pretty common for most DLinemen. I think that would be a huge downgrade for our defense. Now we would be upgrading our NT in your scenario, so we could afford a little downgrade at the DE spot. Also, we could probably get more than the 33rd pick, but I definitely don't think we would have to give up another pick with him to get a low 2nd/high 3rd rounder. I also realize that if we are going to move away from Dorsey, then now is the time to do it, since he is a UFA at the end of the season, and we wouldn't get anything for him. I suspect that is probably why Pioli has drafted a DE in the first 3 rds every year, because he has always planned on trying to dump Dorsey for a cheaper DE who isn't going to get tempted by $$. I wouldn't necessarily agree with this move, but I think it would be a smart move by Pioli.

Also, if we got Soliai, I don't think we would need to draft Poe. Soliai, Powe and maybe Gregg would be a pretty decent rotation IMO. But getting Poe also would give us a lot of depth up front.

I am going to decline to comment on the Manning situation because right now he is a big question mark to me. If he were at 85-90% of his arm strength, that would be the one luxury FA that I would consider. By luxury, I mean a nice to have, but we would be just fine without him.

My draft, assuming the same FAs, without the Pats trade, with the Dorsey trade.

11- Best RT available (Reiff, Martin, then Adams).
33- Best 3-4 DLineman available
44- Best Player available between ILB and TE (a luxury pick, but with Moeaki out we had zero options at TE, also we would have few needs at this point)
75- Best RB available

[Jrudi]

Don't see why we are drafting an OC when we all know Hudson is in line to replace weiggmann.

and to tell you the truth I think the most likely scenario is that RT listed as a higher need than LG right now to Pioli, mainly because he see's Lilja has 1 more year left on his contract (plus if they have plans to attempt a run at manning, Lilja is familiar with manning rather than having a Rookie try to learn a complex system)

so I feel the plan will be to look to draft RT in round 1-2, and find a developmental OG in rounds 2-5 to sit behind Lilja for next season (and come in if Lilja gets hurt) Similar to what we have done with both Asamoah and Hudson.

This makes the most sense cap wise as well...I would love Nicks to come here, but I have heard the Saints are planning to tag him or Brees (whoever they can't get signed first) so I think first priority on the O-line is RT not OC or LG

just my thoughts..

[jason1981]

and why would we move routt to safety when we have lewis and berry. ur basicslly saying lewis was a waisted pick. keep routt at cb for nickel defense. and doersey is under appreciated. he has done nothing but improve and has been good. jackson is the one who needs to step up and take the next step.we seriously need a rt and a ny the most.

[OPLookn]

and why would we move routt to safety when we have lewis and berry. ur basicslly saying lewis was a waisted pick. keep routt at cb for nickel defense. and doersey is under appreciated. he has done nothing but improve and has been good. jackson is the one who needs to step up and take the next step.we seriously need a rt and a ny the most.

I would agree that Dorsey has been under appreciated. However, like jap said he's only got a year left on his contract. He's a hold over from when we were a 4-3 and is best suited for that kind of defense. I can easily see him saying that he wants to go to another team that plays a 4-3 and sign a 3 year contract with them to show how good of a DT he can be and then go for the Haynesworth type money with another 3 year contract or something.

Jap actually it was being talked about trading Dorsey and our 4th rounder for St. Louis' 2nd round pick which is #33. It's all but a first round pick really.

I do think he's better than a 2nd round pick for any team. Packaging a 4th round and Dorsey for the #33 pick is like saying he's the 12th pick in the 2nd round. Which I find very, very cheap. I wouldn't take anything less than a mid to late 1st rounder for Dorsey and a 4th round pick. Mid 1st round is in the 700 pt range and giving up our 4th is 78 pts. That would put Dorsey as a mid to late 1st round pick which is exactly what I think he is. Someone that will come in and play right away and play well. In a 4-3 as a DT I think with a half season of games Dorsey would be tearing it up.

[jason1981]

well i do feel bad for dorsey for playing out of his natural position. he making alot of sacrifices to adapt to our defense when he could be tearing it up in a 4-3. so i would be hsppy for him if he did get traded but theres no guarantee that his replacement will be as good or a bust. so there is risk. aka tyler jackson still up in air. so then we have to unproven ends. not a good combo.

[jason1981]

dorsey woukd be a 1st round or high second round puc for a trade. we dont need to seen a draft pick with him.

[whackojacko58]

would dorsey really enjoy switching positions again? he finally looks comfy in a 3/4 switching at this point in his career again idk how id feel about it if it was me, i agree dorsey has sacrificed to be apart of this defense thats why i don't see the chiefs letting him go, hes a pioli/ chiefs guy (yes i know pioli didn't draft him). but hes the type of guy pioli has wanted to bring in and keep here

[OPLookn]

would dorsey really enjoy switching positions again? he finally looks comfy in a 3/4 switching at this point in his career again idk how id feel about it if it was me, i agree dorsey has sacrificed to be apart of this defense thats why i don't see the chiefs letting him go, hes a pioli/ chiefs guy (yes i know pioli didn't draft him). but hes the type of guy pioli has wanted to bring in and keep here

Agreed, but if you knew you get more visibility at another job and because of that visibility eventually get paid more wouldn't you want to do that? In the end though it's not up to Dorsey if we do trade him.

Here's a interesting thought. Texas had us trading Dorsey and a 4th to St. Louis to get their #33. I'm going to one up him and throw this out there just to get the pot stirring.

RG3 is going to meet with the Chiefs...it's on arrowhead pride. Robert Griffin III Will Meet With The Kansas City Chiefs - Arrowhead Pride (http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2012/2/24/2821963/robert-griffin-iii-will-meet-with-the-kansas-city-chiefs)

How's this sound for a trade? Our 1st, Dorsey and maybe a 3rd rounder for RG3, 1250 (1st round) + say 1100 for Dorsey (1st round 14th pick) + 260 (3rd round) = 2610(2600 pts for 2nd). Then pick up Zebrie Sanders with our 2nd to replace Richardson. Sign Nicks or a LG and away we go. Would like to get Crick to split time with Gilberry and eventually/hopefully move into the full time RDE but not sure if he'd be there in the 4th. At that point we're set except for a NT and hopefully we could find one in free agency or a 5th round draft pick??

1st round - RG3
2nd round - Zebrie Sanders
3rd round - part of trade to STL
4th - Crick or RDE successor
5th, 6th and 7th - talk amongst yourselves.... lol

I think that's an extremely interesting and a realistic trade...thoughts?

[jason1981]

no way we trade up to get rg3. dont like givingbup that much.

[Jrudi]

Agreed, but if you knew you get more visibility at another job and because of that visibility eventually get paid more wouldn't you want to do that? In the end though it's not up to Dorsey if we do trade him.

Here's a interesting thought. Texas had us trading Dorsey and a 4th to St. Louis to get their #33. I'm going to one up him and throw this out there just to get the pot stirring.

RG3 is going to meet with the Chiefs...it's on arrowhead pride. Robert Griffin III Will Meet With The Kansas City Chiefs - Arrowhead Pride (http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2012/2/24/2821963/robert-griffin-iii-will-meet-with-the-kansas-city-chiefs)

How's this sound for a trade? Our 1st, Dorsey and maybe a 3rd rounder for RG3, 1250 (1st round) + say 1100 for Dorsey (1st round 14th pick) + 260 (3rd round) = 2610(2600 pts for 2nd). Then pick up Zebrie Sanders with our 2nd to replace Richardson. Sign Nicks or a LG and away we go. Would like to get Crick to split time with Gilberry and eventually/hopefully move into the full time RDE but not sure if he'd be there in the 4th. At that point we're set except for a NT and hopefully we could find one in free agency or a 5th round draft pick??

1st round - RG3
2nd round - Zebrie Sanders
3rd round - part of trade to STL
4th - Crick or RDE successor
5th, 6th and 7th - talk amongst yourselves.... lol

I think that's an extremely interesting and a realistic trade...thoughts?

Would be cool...But I think I agree that Dorsey is a Pioli guy (even though he didn't draft him) Pioli made sure to get rid of all the leftovers he didn't want on this team ex:Pollard and Page, and made it well known of the ones he wanted to keep, Flowers, Hali, DJ, Charles etc.

I think Pioli will find it important to keep Dorseyt around.. Dorsey and Albert are the only two important players on our Team that are FA's after next season, and I think we will see a move to get both resigned. They are part of the core group that makes up this chiefs team, and getting rid of Dorsey would just create a problem/hole that we don't need to try and fill at the moment.

If we can focus on the few positions of need we do have, it will make it much easier, rather than creating another hole to fill

[texaschief]

I'm drafting/signing OL early and often is because lack of depth is a key reason why the Chiefs had a wasted 2011. I'd much rather see Grubbs/Nicks on the starting O-line than Asomoah or Hudson. Besides, with my O-line, I'm trying to protect Peyton Manning... not RGIII who could deal with 4 rookie or 2nd year players protecting him.

Dorsey as a player IS worth more than what I have him valued... but unless you get sign and trade him, his ONE year left under team control devalues what a team will be willing to give up for him. In actuality, my trade probably has the Chiefs package overvalued.

No, the Lewis pick and/or Routt signing wouldn't be a waste... again, putting Routt at safety creates positional depth. If you resign Carr, like I suggest, you're either supplanting Lewis at safety or Arenas at nickel... I'd rather have one of the fastest guys in the league at FS than trying to put him at nickel where quickness is more of an asset than pure speed. The reason Arenas is so good at nickel and punt returning is because he can change direction quickly which is what is needed to cover slot receivers.

You have to try and not get tunnel vision and just plug holes. Drafting and signing for positional depth is something this team needs desperately.

[jason1981]

well why draft players if u aint going to play them and rather bring in FA's. ur whole thing doesnt make since and very unrealistic. seems ur the one with tunnel vision and set on what u likeyou want to get rid of dorsey for an unproven guy we draft. when we already have tyler jackson on the other side who is borderline already. your just creating more hes or questions. you are one that undervalues him. and if u want to get depth draft ol in later rounds. ot first round then depth later. org in second rou.d to replace lilja. oh and ur center konz just did one of the worst bench reps at like 18 i think. so ur boy is already in hot water.

[texaschief]

well why draft players if u aint going to play them and rather bring in FA's. ur whole thing doesnt make since and very unrealistic. seems ur the one with tunnel vision and set on what u likeyou want to get rid of dorsey for an unproven guy we draft. when we already have tyler jackson on the other side who is borderline already. your just creating more hes or questions. you are one that undervalues him. and if u want to get depth draft ol in later rounds. ot first round then depth later. org in second rou.d to replace lilja. oh and ur center konz just did one of the worst bench reps at like 18 i think. so ur boy is already in hot water.

Disqualifying statement. Go away.

[jap1]

First, I think someone misinterpreted what I said about trading Dorsey. I think we could get a mid to late first rounder for him. He is probably worth a mid 1st, but we would be willing to give him up for a late 1st. As far as his contract is concerned, I don't think that would be a huge issue, since I think most teams renegotiate contracts after a trade. Also, I think dropping to a late 1st would satisfy the trade partner.

As far as the people saying that it would leave 2 holes on the DL, I guess people don't realize that TJ and Dorsey are both considered top 5 3-4 DEs. Also, looking at our roster, we do have Bailey, Gilberry and Gordon did a decent job in sub packages, and them along with a 3rd rounder may be in Pioli's plan. Again, I don't like losing Dorsey, but I'd rather lose him this year and get something worthwhile for him than lose him next year. Best case scenario, we would have to tag him or Albert if we couldn't get a long term deal done.

[texaschief]

First, I think someone misinterpreted what I said about trading Dorsey. I think we could get a mid to late first rounder for him. He is probably worth a mid 1st, but we would be willing to give him up for a late 1st. As far as his contract is concerned, I don't think that would be a huge issue, since I think most teams renegotiate contracts after a trade. Also, I think dropping to a late 1st would satisfy the trade partner.

As far as the people saying that it would leave 2 holes on the DL, I guess people don't realize that TJ and Dorsey are both considered top 5 3-4 DEs. Also, looking at our roster, we do have Bailey, Gilberry and Gordon did a decent job in sub packages, and them along with a 3rd rounder may be in Pioli's plan. Again, I don't like losing Dorsey, but I'd rather lose him this year and get something worthwhile for him than lose him next year. Best case scenario, we would have to tag him or Albert if we couldn't get a long term deal done.

How bout keeping #11 overall and trading to NE for #27? It's only 6 picks higher than 33, but it's your late first for Dorsey... plus we keep #11. My goal with the trades was to get 4 of the first 44 players off the board. NE is desperate for DL help and would have serious interest in the top 4-3 DEs in the draft as well as Dorsey.

[jason1981]

why be so offensive just because i dont see ur logic of drafting players if we dont play them? and yes my typing sucks cuz im doing this on my cell. i just think we under estimate dorsey value. new england needs more pass rusbing de and cb more than a dt though it would be good to see him got to a good team if he does leave. i woukd think if we dont resign carr new england will snatch him up. we might be better of franchise carr and trade him to NE If we cant resign him thay is. id rather keep him than anything though.

[texaschief]

why be so offensive just because i dont see ur logic of drafting players if we dont play them? and yes my typing sucks cuz im doing this on my cell. i just think we under estimate dorsey value. new england needs more pass rusbing de and cb more than a dt though it would be good to see him got to a good team if he does leave. i woukd think if we dont resign carr new england will snatch him up. we might be better of franchise carr and trade him to NE If we cant resign him thay is. id rather keep him than anything though.

Discounting not playing players immediately drafted in the first or second round is basically saying rookies don't need time to develop. Like Rogers sitting behind Favre or Flynn behind Rogers, Charles behind LJ, and countless other first and second round picks who wait a season or two to play does nothing to help them.

Drafting for depth in the first 3 rounds ensures QUALITY depth. When you rely on 6th rounders to provide depth, you end up with Richardson at RT... just saying.

[jason1981]

well that might be true in the past but i believe these athletes are more ready to play coming out in these days. in the first round that is. but still they can only gain experience by playing snd thats what they need. we need to feel our holes before he fill our depth. but id rather play our draft picks that has been playing slready and gsined experience such as hudson and osomoah and lewis and keep routt at cb.

[jap1]

How bout keeping #11 overall and trading to NE for #27? It's only 6 picks higher than 33, but it's your late first for Dorsey... plus we keep #11. My goal with the trades was to get 4 of the first 44 players off the board. NE is desperate for DL help and would have serious interest in the top 4-3 DEs in the draft as well as Dorsey.

That would definitely be much more tempting, and plausible.

[wolfpack]

one thing that might happen is we sign D. Bell from bills to play at RT and draft either Poe or that ILBer from BC in 1st. Draft best T in 2nd.
If we are going to sign Manning,going with flow, then Bell would bring more vet time to oline.

[GarH]

Burfict- NO!! NO!! NO!! NO!!!!!!!!! ABSOLUTELY NO!!!!!!!!!
That headcase is absolutely the LAST player I want to see on the Chiefs. No way Pioli would pick that mental case. That's a cancer no one wants to see on their team.

[texaschief]

Burfict- NO!! NO!! NO!! NO!!!!!!!!! ABSOLUTELY NO!!!!!!!!!
That headcase is absolutely the LAST player I want to see on the Chiefs. No way Pioli would pick that mental case. That's a cancer no one wants to see on their team.

Where are you getting this from? I haven't heard anything about him being a bad character guy... just that he had a few personal foul calls against him that had to be investigated. The subsequent investigation led to the suspensions and firings of several PAC10 officials because they were targeting him unfairly. Everything I've read about him in the locker room is that he's a quiet and good teammate.

However, I did watch him perform at the combine and I've cooled on him some... he looked more like a 3rd to 4th rounder to me after what I saw at the combine. But still... what I saw in game film has me wanting him on this team.

[Jrudi]

Where are you getting this from? I haven't heard anything about him being a bad character guy... just that he had a few personal foul calls against him that had to be investigated. The subsequent investigation led to the suspensions and firings of several PAC10 officials because they were targeting him unfairly. Everything I've read about him in the locker room is that he's a quiet and good teammate.

However, I did watch him perform at the combine and I've cooled on him some... he looked more like a 3rd to 4th rounder to me after what I saw at the combine. But still... what I saw in game film has me wanting him on this team.

The guy does not belong on this team. He sounds like a guy that thought he was all high and mighty, and could ride his skills to get away with whatever he wanted. doesn't have a good work ethic and has put on weight and slowed him down. (was THE SLOWEST LB that participated in the 40 at the combine with a 5.09 40 time, the ONLY LB to post a +5second 40 time for that matter)

Here's his scouting report from NFL.COM:

Overview
Burflict had a fairly inconsistent career at Arizona State, where he was the Pac-10 Defensive Freshman of the Year, went on to be the consensus top linebacker in the country as a sophomore, and then really fell off as a Junior, much like the entire ASU program. A final season of turmoil, weight issues, discipline issues, and general friction between Burflict and his coaches doesn't leave him in the most favorable position entering the draft, but talent alone should be enough for Burflict to be picked early.

Strengths
Burflict has been a fierce, punishing competitor throughout his career. He is capable of providing a serious physical presence, and likely an upgrade, to the middle of any defense in the NFL. When he is in shape, Burflict can fly from sideline to sideline and cover tight ends well sufficiently in the pass game. He really excels as a pass rusher and inside tackler, where he can meet nearly any RB in the hole and provide a punishing blow that sends the ball carrier backwards. He is savvy and plays instinctually, and he is able to read blocks well to get to the ball. In the right scheme with a support staff in place, Burflict has the capability to be a leading tackler in the NFL.

Weaknesses
You would be hard-pressed to find a player whose on-field discipline issues had such a negative effect on draft status as Burflict's have affected him this year. He is capable of being the physical inside presence for an NFL defense, but not many coaches are going to have the patience to deal with personal foul penalties like the coaches did at ASU where, frankly, Burflict was the only option inside. He has put on weight within the last year that has really slowed him down, and while that size has boded well for players like Brandon Spikes of New England, it has really inhibited Burflict's athleticism and ability to get sideline to sideline.


No Thank you sir...

[GarH]

Punching a teammate in the locker room. In a recent interview he takes no ownership of his problems. Everything is the fault of his coaches, the media and the refs. He is a Raiders type player. He would assure them of leading the league in personal fouls.

[GarH]

From yellow flags to red
Community - CBSSports.com (http://bruce-feldman.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/view/31626208)

Another article
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/2012/02/27/20120227nfl-scouting-combine-vontaze-burfict.html

[texaschief]

Punching a teammate in the locker room. In a recent interview he takes no ownership of his problems. Everything is the fault of his coaches, the media and the refs. He is a Raiders type player. He would assure them of leading the league in personal fouls.

Lol... nobody had an issue with Thomas Jones doing this to our first round pick 7 months ago...

[TopekaRoy]

Lol... nobody had an issue with Thomas Jones doing this to our first round pick 7 months ago...

Seriously? You are going to compare a player who imposed team discipline on one of his own team mates to a player whose on-field lack of discipline has had more of a negative effect on his draft status than any other player in the draft? You really don't see any difference!?

And the fact that he has put on enough weight to become the slowest LB in the draft, in the one year where he has a chance to become an NFL player and make a small fortune doesn't concern you at all?

And you want to draft him because, why?

[jap1]

Burfict also blamed his coaches for a drop in performance in media interviews.

Walterfootball.com is predicting after his combine that he would go 4th-undrafted, unless he has a good pro day.

[texaschief]

Burfict also blamed his coaches for a drop in performance in media interviews.

Walterfootball.com is predicting after his combine that he would go 4th-undrafted, unless he has a good pro day.

Like I said, after watching him at the combine, I've cooled on him quite a bit. He has elite 1st round talent. Definitely worth the risk if he falls past the 4th round.

[KCCF]

Like I said, after watching him at the combine, I've cooled on him quite a bit. He has elite 1st round talent. Definitely worth the risk if he falls past the 4th round.


He is for sure a cancer. And from pioli (who's past few drafts have been focused around player chemistry) I don't see him drafting him
!

[Jrudi]

Like I said, after watching him at the combine, I've cooled on him quite a bit. He has elite 1st round talent. Definitely worth the risk if he falls past the 4th round.

I'm not sure he's worth the risk at all...I've seen these types of guys, they don't work out

He may not have a history of run-ins with the law yet, but the On-Feild and locker room issues mirror that of who he is as a person off the field.

This is one of those guys who thinks he is on top of the world, and no one can touch him. I can almost bet you anything he will #1.) not produce on field at the NFL level (or he will have 1 big season and be a guy that holds out for more money, and then never repeat's) and #2.) It's a matter of time before he has an image worse than PacMan Jones...

Guy's like this don't understand the reality of life, and the consequences that come with bad decisions. He's not a Chief even if he goes UN-drafted.

[jap1]

Like I said, after watching him at the combine, I've cooled on him quite a bit. He has elite 1st round talent. Definitely worth the risk if he falls past the 4th round.

I agree, he may be similar to Houston, whose character questions caused him to drop. Supposedly on film, he looks like a stud. I can see us taking him in a later round for some depth at LB. Right now we have DJ, Belcher, and Siler. I could see him as DJ's back-up and a star performer on special teams.

Im interested to see how he performs on his pro-day. Some analysts say it looks like he hasnt been working out since the end of the season, which to me is a red flag.

[GarH]

He ballooned up to 260 lbs this last year at ASU. Sometimes he took plays off and basically stood around. At best he was average this last year. I really can't see him anywhere but Oakland. He is the absolute last player I'd like to see the Chiefs draft. I'm not worried though, there is no chance Pioli will draft him.