Chiefs Seven Round Draft

With the start of the NFL Draft beginning on Thursday evening, it's time for me to do my best in predicting all the Chiefs picks through all seven rounds. Last year, I attempted to do the same thing, which I will admit was complicated by the lack of free agency, and went a stunning 0-9 (I did have the Chiefs trading down in the first round for an additional mid-round pick, so I guess that is a positive). But alas, I am not deterred from attempting it again.

Here we go.

1st Round: 11th Overall
Since I've already done my 1st round mock draft, I'll just leave the pick the same and go with Luke Kuechly, ILB from Boston College. I really think that the Chiefs trade back in this scenario to gather more picks, but I just don't know who the Chiefs would take later in the first round. I'm aware that Kuechly hasn't visited with the Chiefs and Scott Pioli has yet to draft a player in the first round that he hasn't visited with beforehand, so I'm not feeling very confident in this pick but it would be best-player-available if the Chiefs stay at 11 and pick Kuechly.

2nd Round: 44th Overall
I know a lot of people have brought into question the importance of a nose tackle in the pass-happy league that the NFL has turned in to, but I still believe in the importance that a giant in the middle of a defensive line can have. That's why I'm going with Alameda Ta'amu, NT from Washington. Some draft experts have projected a third round grade on Ta'amu, but much like QBs, good nose tackles are usually gone by the end of the second round. Ta'amu, measuring in at 6-3, 348 lbs, is believed by some to be the best pure 3-4 NT available, so this pick would make sense to me unless Pioli has decided that Jerrell Powe, last year's 6th round selection for the Chiefs, is the future at that position.

3rd Round: 74th Overall
Quite a few fans and analysts alike have been picking David DeCastro to go to the Chiefs in the first round. The purpose would be to eventually or immediately replace Ryan Lilja on the left side of the line. But what many fans don't realize is that Lilja is, statistically, a good guard. Replacing him immediately wouldn't help the Chiefs offensive line all that much. Besides, it's been in Pioli's history to find guards on the second day of the draft. Enter Brandon Brooks, OG from Miami (Ohio). The Chiefs have already visited with the 6-5, 346 lbs. Brooks, and he is regarded as  one of the top-five guards in the draft. He could serve as an eventual replacement for Lilja much like Jon Asamoah did for Brian Waters.

4th Round: 107th Overall
In this round, I have the Chiefs taking Chase Minnifield, CB from Virginia. Cornerback isn't a huge need for the Chiefs - they signed Stanford Routt this offseason, and have drafted Javier Arenas (2nd Round) and Jalil Brown (4th Round) in consecutive years. But the talent of the 5-10, 183 lbs. Minnifield would be too good to pass up in the 4th round. Minnifield has the pedigree of a NFL cornerback - his dad was a Pro Bowl CB and played in the league from 1984-92 - and played well as a starter over the last two seasons for the Cavaliers. I personally see a lot of upside to Minnifield's game, and think he's a much better prospect than Brown and comparable to Arenas.


5th Round: 146th Overall
On the last day of the draft, teams are just hoping to grab players that will provide some depth in needy positions. And the biggest depth issue the Chiefs have is at safety. Last season, after Eric Berry went down with a torn ACL, Chiefs fans got to see a committee approach to the position with Jon McGraw and Sabby Piscitelli getting a lot of playing time. With both these players still unsigned, I have to believe that the Chiefs will pick up a safety in the draft, specifically Brandon Taylor, SS from LSU. Taylor, 5-11, 209 lbs., has had a visit with the Chiefs, and while many experts are undecided about his round projection, if he does fall to the 5th round, the Chiefs will surely jump at him.

6th Round: 182nd Overall
Another area of depth that the Chiefs could use is at the wide receiver position. Between Dwayne Bowe (who has yet to sign his franchise tender), Steve Breaston and last year's first round pick Jonathan Baldwin, the thing the Chiefs could use from their wide receiver corps is speed. While the elite speed guys are going to be off the board by the 6th round, look for the Chiefs to target Jarius Wright, WR from Arkansas. Wright, 5-10, 182 lbs., was a deep threat at Arkansas and lead the Hogs in receiving in 2011. He also averaged 18.8 yards per catch and 16.9 ypc over his last two seasons respectively. The thing keeping this 4.42 receiver down in the draft is his smaller stature and his tendency to not look the ball into his hands, causing drops.

7th Round: 218th Overall
With the signing of Kevin Boss and the return of Tony Moeaki, the Chiefs look to be sat at tight end. But, like last year, you never know when someone is going to go down with injury and I'd rather not have to rely on Jake O'Connell again. That's why I have James Hanna, TE from Oklahoma, going to the Chiefs. Hanna, 6-4, 252 lbs., wasn't getting a lot of press after his senior season for the Sooners, where he had only 381 yards and 2 TDs in his senior campaign. But after Hanna's combine performance, where Hanna put up some of the most impressive numbers of all tight end invites, he's been getting plenty of publicity and has even visited with the Chiefs. The downside to Hanna's game is that he's a developmental prospect and needs to work on route running. That's what the 7th round is for, and he would be a welcomed addition to the team.

7th Round: 238th Overall
With the Chiefs final selection, I have them taking Alfred Morris, RB from FAU. Projected as either a 7th round or undrafted free agent guy, Morris has met with the Chiefs and would help replace Jackie Battle if the Chiefs choose not to bring him back. The team will have Jamaal Charles returning from injury this year, and also signed Peyton Hillis in the offseason to a one-year deal, but grabbing the 5-10, 219 lbs. Hilltopper wouldn't be a bad idea.

I'll be honest, doing a seven round mock draft is a crap-shoot, but let me know what you think.