Kansas City Chiefs Forecast
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Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)
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(20) Antonio Cromartie, CB. Florida State
(54) Mark Anderson, DE. Alabama
(85) Claude Wroten, DT. LSU
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The Kansas City Chiefs have had an absolute juggernaut offense without a true number one receiver. As tempting as a guy like Santonio Holmes or Chad Jackson would be with their first overall pick, the Chiefs have far more holes on the defensive side of the ball that need filled. Most of all, they need playmakers that not only find the ball but also make the tackle. Up front, the Chiefs could use a playmaker both at defensive end and defensive tackle. A pass rusher to compliment the surprisingly productive rookie, Jared Allen, would make the holes in the Chiefs' secondary seem less prevalent. Adding a dynamic talent in the middle of the defense at tackle would also give the pass rush an added dimension. In the secondary, the Chiefs need to be able to cover two receivers. Sadly, Patrick Surtain can only cover one person at a time. Adding a legitimate cover corner would give the defensive coordinator the flexibility in play calling necessary for the defense to become more dynamic.
(20) Antonio Cromartie, CB. Florida State
The Kansas City Chiefs are in a position where they have to be willing to take calculated gambles when drafting their defensive players. If the Chiefs want to be a championship caliber team, they need to play catch-up with the league defensively and make quick work of it. Antonio Cromartie is the perfect player on which to take such a gamble. Cromartie is one of the most physically gifted athletes in the entire draft. His 6'2"/208 size is beyond ideal for a cornerback. When you combine that size with 4.29 speed (on grass), fluid hips to handle man coverage on an island, and excellent ball skills, Antonio Cromartie may well be the bronze-god mold of the perfect cornerback. Having torn his ACL, Cromartie did not have a chance to play this entire 2005 season. Needing to enter the draft to dispell financial concerns in his family, Cromartie has seen his stock rise from the fourth round to the middle of the first round. Anyone who runs a 4.29 forty and manages to look excellent in positional drills will put memory of an injury on the back burner. Cromartie is a big play waiting to happen; he simply lacks experience. However, he could end up being better than anyone in the entire draft class. His upside is incredible.
(54) Mark Anderson, DE. Alabama
Mark Anderson made himself millions at the combine. Everyone knew that he was an experienced and productive, slightly undersized (6'4"/254) defensive end for one of the best defenses in the country. No one knew that he was just as athletic as he is. At the combine Mark Anderson was either first or second among defensive ends in the forty, the vertical jump, the broad jump, the cone drill, the short shuttle, and the long shuttle. For those of you keeping score at home, that is every measured event at the combine. His 4.61 speed, 42" vertical, and 10'7" board jump suggest that is even more explosive now than he was during football season this fall. A smart, instinctive player, Mark Anderson is the playmaker KC needs to polish off their pass rush.
(85) Claude Wroten, DT. LSU
Keeping with the defensive theme, Calude Wroten would exhibit excellent value to the Chiefs with their third round pick. Claude Wroten is a better prospect than his line-mate Marcus Spears was last year. Spears went 20th overall to the Cowboys. Being arrested for possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute changed Wroten's draft stock considerably. Nevertheless, Wroten is an explosive pass rusher who can get to the quarterback seemingly at will. He is incredibly fast for a defensive tackle in pursuit. He has a nasty demeanor on the field and finishes every play. Needing sure-handed help on defense, Wroten would make sense for Kansas City. He offers them an explosive pass rusher that can dominate games from defensive tackle.
(*) Tamba Hali, DE. Penn State
With their first round pick, the Kansas City Chiefs will have to decide where their values are. As defensive backs begin to fly off the board, the organization may become justly fearful that all the top prospects will be off the board by the second round. At the same time, the team's biggest need is up front on the defensive line. Tamba Hali is a proven commodity that simply gets to the quarterback. At 6'3"/275, he is excellent size to play defensive end in the 4-3. He is an intense competitor that is extremely versatile against the run and the pass. His stock has slipped due to his poor timed speed at 4.86; however, Hali is a dominant player on the field. At the Senior Bowl, he managed two sacks and defensive MVP honors. The Chiefs will have a tough decision in round one. Ultimately, the scarcity of top talent at corner should have them jumping on a defensive back before it is too late.
Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)
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(20) Antonio Cromartie, CB. Florida State
(54) Mark Anderson, DE. Alabama
(85) Claude Wroten, DT. LSU
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The Kansas City Chiefs have had an absolute juggernaut offense without a true number one receiver. As tempting as a guy like Santonio Holmes or Chad Jackson would be with their first overall pick, the Chiefs have far more holes on the defensive side of the ball that need filled. Most of all, they need playmakers that not only find the ball but also make the tackle. Up front, the Chiefs could use a playmaker both at defensive end and defensive tackle. A pass rusher to compliment the surprisingly productive rookie, Jared Allen, would make the holes in the Chiefs' secondary seem less prevalent. Adding a dynamic talent in the middle of the defense at tackle would also give the pass rush an added dimension. In the secondary, the Chiefs need to be able to cover two receivers. Sadly, Patrick Surtain can only cover one person at a time. Adding a legitimate cover corner would give the defensive coordinator the flexibility in play calling necessary for the defense to become more dynamic.
Antonio Cromartie is a playmaker with a
rare blend of size, speed, and athleticism
(20) Antonio Cromartie, CB. Florida State
The Kansas City Chiefs are in a position where they have to be willing to take calculated gambles when drafting their defensive players. If the Chiefs want to be a championship caliber team, they need to play catch-up with the league defensively and make quick work of it. Antonio Cromartie is the perfect player on which to take such a gamble. Cromartie is one of the most physically gifted athletes in the entire draft. His 6'2"/208 size is beyond ideal for a cornerback. When you combine that size with 4.29 speed (on grass), fluid hips to handle man coverage on an island, and excellent ball skills, Antonio Cromartie may well be the bronze-god mold of the perfect cornerback. Having torn his ACL, Cromartie did not have a chance to play this entire 2005 season. Needing to enter the draft to dispell financial concerns in his family, Cromartie has seen his stock rise from the fourth round to the middle of the first round. Anyone who runs a 4.29 forty and manages to look excellent in positional drills will put memory of an injury on the back burner. Cromartie is a big play waiting to happen; he simply lacks experience. However, he could end up being better than anyone in the entire draft class. His upside is incredible.
Mark Anderson is the athletic pass rusher that
would perfectly compliment rising star, Jared Allen
(54) Mark Anderson, DE. Alabama
Mark Anderson made himself millions at the combine. Everyone knew that he was an experienced and productive, slightly undersized (6'4"/254) defensive end for one of the best defenses in the country. No one knew that he was just as athletic as he is. At the combine Mark Anderson was either first or second among defensive ends in the forty, the vertical jump, the broad jump, the cone drill, the short shuttle, and the long shuttle. For those of you keeping score at home, that is every measured event at the combine. His 4.61 speed, 42" vertical, and 10'7" board jump suggest that is even more explosive now than he was during football season this fall. A smart, instinctive player, Mark Anderson is the playmaker KC needs to polish off their pass rush.
(85) Claude Wroten, DT. LSU
Keeping with the defensive theme, Calude Wroten would exhibit excellent value to the Chiefs with their third round pick. Claude Wroten is a better prospect than his line-mate Marcus Spears was last year. Spears went 20th overall to the Cowboys. Being arrested for possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute changed Wroten's draft stock considerably. Nevertheless, Wroten is an explosive pass rusher who can get to the quarterback seemingly at will. He is incredibly fast for a defensive tackle in pursuit. He has a nasty demeanor on the field and finishes every play. Needing sure-handed help on defense, Wroten would make sense for Kansas City. He offers them an explosive pass rusher that can dominate games from defensive tackle.
Tamba Hali has size and athleticism. He is
hard working and can rush the passer well.
(*) Tamba Hali, DE. Penn State
With their first round pick, the Kansas City Chiefs will have to decide where their values are. As defensive backs begin to fly off the board, the organization may become justly fearful that all the top prospects will be off the board by the second round. At the same time, the team's biggest need is up front on the defensive line. Tamba Hali is a proven commodity that simply gets to the quarterback. At 6'3"/275, he is excellent size to play defensive end in the 4-3. He is an intense competitor that is extremely versatile against the run and the pass. His stock has slipped due to his poor timed speed at 4.86; however, Hali is a dominant player on the field. At the Senior Bowl, he managed two sacks and defensive MVP honors. The Chiefs will have a tough decision in round one. Ultimately, the scarcity of top talent at corner should have them jumping on a defensive back before it is too late.