NFL Draft Wishlist: Kansas City Chiefs
By Josh Carter
The Chiefs have been busy this off-season and have made vast improvements to their team for next year. They temporarily solved their QB problem in the signing of Alex Smith. They also now may have one of the most talented defensive backfield in football adding Sean Smith and Dunta Robinson to a secondary that already bolsters a solid Brandon Flowers at the #1 CB spot. Chiefs’ defense seems to be in great shape with Eric Berry, their CBs and a strong defensive line. The Chiefs can draft a linebacker, but should focus on building a solid offense with this draft. The Chiefs need run and pass protection above everything, they must keep Jamaal Charles and Alex Smith safe and productive this season, which is why they likely pickup an offensive lineman with pick #1. The Chiefs have a play-maker in Dwayne Bowe, but that’s all they really have as a weapon for Alex Smith right now.
Feb 21, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Texas A
Round 1 – Luke Joeckel, T, Texas A&M- We all can assume they use this pick on an offensive tackle. The popular pick here would be Joeckel but some people argue that the Chiefs may take Central Michigan’s Eric Fisher. I say Joeckel is safer, we’ve seen him on tape against numerous 1st round defenders in this class and know exactly what we’re getting. Eric Fisher will probably be good too and may even have a higher ceiling but the Chiefs need to make sure to get it right this time.
Feb 23, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish tight end Tyler Eiffert runs the 40 yard dash during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Round 2 – Tyler Eiffert, TE, Notre Dame – Does any team need an early round tight end more than the Chiefs? Since the Bears acquired Martellus Bennett, I can’t think of one (maybe Tennessee? – they have many other needs though). Eiffert can be a good grab at the top of round 2 for the Chiefs, giving them not only some more help blocking but also potentially becoming the 2nd playmaking receiver that Kansas City has been searching for for the last few years. The Chiefs may get lucky and see Eiffert drop just due to teams having more pressing needs in round 1.
Nov 23, 2012; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Cobi Hamilton (11) makes a catch ahead of Louisiana State Tigers cornerback Tharold Simon (24) during the second half at Donald W. Reynolds Stadium. LSU defeated Arkansas 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports
Sleeper – Cobi Hamilton, WR, Arkansas – The brightest spot on a dismal Arkansas team, Hamilton may just be who Kansas City is looking for to take pressure off Bowe. He’s a big bodied receiver at 6’3 209, who can complement the athletic, speedy Bowe well. He has over 1,300 yards receiving, was a 3rd team all-american and still is only being projected as a 5th rounder. Cobi Hamilton can very well turn out to be the gem of this draft. Paired with Bowe, a playmaking tight end in Eiffert and Baldwin and McClustor splitting slot duties, the Chiefs all the sudden seem to have some serious firepower for newcomer, Alex Smith