However, I think players will start to think differently now that Matt Cassel is the QB. But the Chiefs need to go after some of these free agent O-linemen. We can't build a team just from the draft.
Now I hope Sanchez is the 1st pick
it's a good day to be a chiefs fan.
Dream Scenario:
1. Chiefs trade Dorsey/Thigpen for Julius Peppers and a mid round pick.
2. Chiefs trade down in first round with Jax or TB. They get a 1st and 2nd or 3rd pick. Possbly taking Raji or the best LB on the board. Getting a RT in the 2nd or 3rd.
3. Chiefs trade LJ for a 4th rd pick
1. We can't trade Dorsey. It would be a $20M cap hit this year if we trade him prior to June 1. We might be able to stomach it, but I don't see Pioli doing it. Thigpen and Waters for Peppers and a pick is a whole lot more possible.
2. I think Raji goes top-6. I don't see us getting him past the Bengals. Heck, I could see Seattle getting him at 4.
3. If we can do that deal, we defintely do that deal.
I have to say Cassell and Vrabel for a 2nd round draft pick is an absolute steal, yes Cassell has only had one big season statistically but considering what Cassell was thought to be originally going for on his own i wouldn't complain. Massive credit to Pioli on this one. It'll be very interesting to see what we do with this no.3 overall pick now.
I really can't make an honest assessment to the draft till free agency plays out a bit more. Pending on who we can still sign/trade for can still really alter who we pick at #3 (if we are still at 3 by April). We still don't know (for sure) what defensive scheme we are running or who our Def.-Coord. is yet as well.
There are still a lot of under the radar solid O-Linemen left and a few notable LBs/D-Linemen out there as well. With the emergence of Cassel to the Chiefs you can mark off QB from the Chiefs needs.
I could see the Chiefs drafting any number of players. In no particular order of preference:
1. B.J. Raji, DT (if the Chiefs switch 3-4 they need that NT presence)
2. Aaron Curry, LB (If the Chiefs decide he is the best player on the board at that point he could fill in that empty position with Vrabel, DJ, and a FA [Boley would be nice].
3. Jason Smith, OT (Offensive line has been a priority that hasn't been asessed by this team in years)
Those are about the only players that the Chiefs can take that would make a significant impact (I.e. starting in 09) in the upcoming season. Each addresses a need. Luxury picks such as Crabtree are nice to dream about but in reality have no place in being drafted when the core of your team needs help the most.
EDIT: Just think if the Chiefs got Boley to come to KC and managed to pick up Curry. A 3-4 LB core consisting of Mike Vrabel, Derrick Jonson, Micheal Boley, and Aaron Curry!? That'd be insane. Yet Raji makes the most sense if you're looking for defensive impact immdiately. Its the NT thats the focal point of the front seven in 3-4