Chiefs Draft Thread

[imfletcher]

So the Chiefs grab Tyson Jackson and then trade out of round 2. Saw that coming I am not sure what they are doing in the middle of the country.

They traded out of round 2 a long time ago...got Cassel/Vrabel for the round 2 pick.

Tyson Jackson I can see fitting what they want to do in switching to a 3-4, but was a reach at #3 in my opinion. Apparently they couldn't find a trade partner to move back - or they just really covet Jackson.

[mike]

Damn forgot about that trade. Switching to a 3-4 is going to kill that LB crew going into next year. What is with these guys trying to convert teams into this defense that rarely works.

I really hated everything about the pick when Orakpo looked a lot better.

[imfletcher]

Damn forgot about that trade. Switching to a 3-4 is going to kill that LB crew going into next year. What is with these guys trying to convert teams into this defense that rarely works.

I really hated everything about the pick when Orakpo looked a lot better.

Yeah I like Orakpo too...Jackson is the more typical 3-4 end though, a guy who will be able to free up the linebackers more - allowing them to get to the QB from the outside spots and make tackles, etc....I think they took Jackson to be their version of Richard Seymour.

Jackson is not flashy and won't be a guy that will come in and get 15 sacks - but there probably isn't a more "solid" player to fit the scheme they want to run. I'm not crazy about the pick...I was crossing my fingers for Crabtree (can't believe he slid to 10).

I'm willing to ride out the process of building this into Pioli's type of team though. There are still some guys I really like on the board for day 2...hoping we can grab at least a couple of them.

[hobbs]

yeah at this point in time, I think Pioli still deserves the benefit of the doubt as he retools the team to his purpose. The other thing that struck me was they took Jackson to play with Dorsey...wonder if there is a comfort thing there as they try to reclaim Dorsey from a bad Rookie season?

[Northwoods]

Really thought they'd take Curry. As you guys have said interesting pick with Orakpo on the board.

[imfletcher]

Just a footnote to the draft, switch to 3-4, etc.....

My take on this is that Pioli is clearly all about drafting guys that will fit his system, regardless of whether the "value" fits or not. Which is why he went with Jackson as a five technique end for the 3-4. Now what I'm wondering is how does this ripple through the rest of the defense?

Well he went out and got a couple of old fart linebackers in Vrabel and Thomas - although I actually like this move as these guys are veterans who will help the team as a whole transition to a defense they're not used to playing.

On the D-line...you now have a jumbled mess of players, but I guess it's better to have some guys to choose from. I think the way it plays out is that you'll see Jackson on one end and likely see them try to slide Dorsey to the other end - he's got a motor and can get upfield - and that doesn't fit with him being the tackle in a 3-4. So that probably leaves the huge Tank Tyler to play that role and fill the middle. Then you've also got 3rd round pick Magee (who is more of a tackle but athletic enough to fill in at end) and McBride (also versatile on the line) to fill in and spell guys in the rotation.

Back to the LB crew....I think you now see Derrick Johnson and Thomas in the middle, Vrabel outside, and then probably a mix of a couple of guys at the other outside spot - which will likely include Tamba Hali moving outside as a pass rush specialist. KC also has Demorrio Williams who can fill in on several plays, spelling the older guys and filling in on plays for Hali when he may be out of his element.

Overall...I like what Pioli did here, and think it makes the defensive transition more smooth for everyone involved. I look for Pioli to maybe try and grab one more solid linebacker in the following weeks, and if not, to retool at that position going into 2010 and replace Thomas and probably Vrabel as well.