SOME QUICK NOTES & IT'S ON TO ROUND THREE OF MY DRAFT ANALYSIS FOR THE CHIEFS
When the new Orleans Saints, a team in real turmoil right now, open their facilities to their veteran players to begin their off-season workouts, quarterback Drew Brees will not be among them. The Saints' franchise player has yet to sign his tender & talks on a new contract are progressing at a snails' pace. Brees said without that deal, he won't be a part of the OTA's(organized team activities i.e. weight room work, classroom etc), mini camps & the like. Brees is the unquestioned leader of this franchise & with Sean Payton's season-long suspension beginning today, having Brees around the facility regularly should be management's #1 priority.
The NFL competition committee suggested moving the kickoff from the 30-yardline to the 35 in hopes of creating more touchbacks & reducing full-speed collisions resulting in concussions. It worked & Giants owner John Mara made it quite clear the league wants to eliminate the kickoff altogether. With 416 touchbacks in 2010 & 1,120 last season, I think the league got the desired result. I hate to see the play go away, but just like the Saints' bounty program, the league will eventually have to defend itself in what figures to be countless lawsuits from concussion sufferers. Right now, 1,184 former players have joined a lawsuit against the NFL for not providing a safe enough work environment. Don't get me started on personal accountability & lawyers, but the league is going to do even more as time goes on in an effort to reduce head trauma in it's players. Mara's point about kickoffs is very real & I think you will see this happening within 5-years at the most.
The Chiefs added Alabama nose tackle Josh Chapman to their personal workout schedule. The 6' 1" 316-pound Chapman played much of the past season with a torn meniscus & ACL. More on him below.
As the draft is quickly approaching, a week from Thursday, the 26th, I will continue my series on possible Chiefs' draft picks thru the end of the week.
Round Three
There's always the possibility of an extra pick in this round due to a trade down in the first round. Since that's unlikely to happen anytime before the Chiefs are on the clock at #11, my predictions at the end of the round-by-round analysis will be limited to one selection in this round.
3. Josh Chapman--nose tackle--Alabama--23 yrs old--6' 1" 316
Played on two BCS Championship teams, started the past two seasons. Played with a torn meniscus & ACL his senior year sustained in early October, so toughness isn't a question. Thickly built, strong with massive hands that deliver a powerful punch. Sheds blocks well & is very quick in a small area. A real grinder who understands he's not playing a glamorous position & accepts his blue-collar type of responsibility.
3A. Brandon Taylor--safety--LSU--23 yrs old--5' 11" 209
Signal caller in the Tiger secondary the past two years & a 3-year starter. Very physical player who plays the run extremely well & is a sound, dependable tackler. Only average speed at 4.58 & limited athleticism, Taylor is an exceptional leader & excellent football player. Playing deep centerfield might be a problem, but he did everything else you expect in a safety very well at the collegiate level.
3B. Brandon Brooks--guard--Miami of Ohio--23 yrs old--6' 5" 353
Massive O-lineman who has played both guard spots & right tackle. Bulldozer run blocker, long arms & superior strength just engulf defenders. Ran 4.98, did 36 bench press reps & his 4.52 short shuttle was best among all of the combine linemen. His pro day consisted of 4 different pro line coaches putting him thru their workout, it lasted 80-minutes & Brooks wasn't even breathing hard. He has quite a chip on his shoulder since he wasn't invited to the combine. Needs to play with more of an edge, not quite as mean as you'd like, but Brooks has plenty of upside with his athleticism, strength & versatility.
3C. Trumaine Johnson--cornerback--Montana--22 yrs old--6' 2" 205
Huge for a corner, excellent at jamming receivers with long powerful arms. Good short area quickness, but his deep speed just isn't there. Good cover-2 or zone corner, recruited as a receiver, plays the ball in the air as good as anyone in this draft. Hasn't played against top-flight receivers at Montana. Excellent tackler & readily supports against the run. Has had a couple of minor off-field issues. Might eventually be moved to safety.
3D. Josh Norman--cornerback--Coastal Carolina--23 yrs old--6' 197
Very athletic, strong with long arms & soft hands for interceptions. Plays the ball very aggressively when it's in the air. Played mediocre competition in college but stepped up big in post-season all-star games. Might have a little too much swagger, was a big fish in a very small pond the past four years.
3E. Marvin McNutt--wide receiver--Iowa--23 yrs old--6' 3" 216
This is one of my favorites the past two years. Some of the best hands & sideline feet in this or any other draft. He's a possession receiver even with 4.56 speed, he builds as he goes. He is deadly outside the hashmarks but only average over the middle. Uses his big frame to screen DB's from the ball. Blocking is abysmal, poor technique & even worse effort. Still, an excellent outside route runner who catches everything he can touch & is fearless going up for the ball.
3F. Jamell Fleming--cornerback--Oklahoma--23 yrs old--5' 11" 206
For a guy who only clocked 4.53 at the combine, I never saw anyone run away from Fleming. He plays man coverage exceptionally well. Very physical when going for the ball & is a very solid tackler vs. the run. Takes too many chances in zone & gets caught peeking into the backfield. But in man, this kid can play. Good special teamer too.
If you have questions or comments please send them via email at rich@richsfootbalreport.com or by using the comment section here on the site. I'll preview my round four prospects tomorrow.
The NFL competition committee suggested moving the kickoff from the 30-yardline to the 35 in hopes of creating more touchbacks & reducing full-speed collisions resulting in concussions. It worked & Giants owner John Mara made it quite clear the league wants to eliminate the kickoff altogether. With 416 touchbacks in 2010 & 1,120 last season, I think the league got the desired result. I hate to see the play go away, but just like the Saints' bounty program, the league will eventually have to defend itself in what figures to be countless lawsuits from concussion sufferers. Right now, 1,184 former players have joined a lawsuit against the NFL for not providing a safe enough work environment. Don't get me started on personal accountability & lawyers, but the league is going to do even more as time goes on in an effort to reduce head trauma in it's players. Mara's point about kickoffs is very real & I think you will see this happening within 5-years at the most.
The Chiefs added Alabama nose tackle Josh Chapman to their personal workout schedule. The 6' 1" 316-pound Chapman played much of the past season with a torn meniscus & ACL. More on him below.
As the draft is quickly approaching, a week from Thursday, the 26th, I will continue my series on possible Chiefs' draft picks thru the end of the week.
Round Three
There's always the possibility of an extra pick in this round due to a trade down in the first round. Since that's unlikely to happen anytime before the Chiefs are on the clock at #11, my predictions at the end of the round-by-round analysis will be limited to one selection in this round.
3. Josh Chapman--nose tackle--Alabama--23 yrs old--6' 1" 316
Played on two BCS Championship teams, started the past two seasons. Played with a torn meniscus & ACL his senior year sustained in early October, so toughness isn't a question. Thickly built, strong with massive hands that deliver a powerful punch. Sheds blocks well & is very quick in a small area. A real grinder who understands he's not playing a glamorous position & accepts his blue-collar type of responsibility.
3A. Brandon Taylor--safety--LSU--23 yrs old--5' 11" 209
Signal caller in the Tiger secondary the past two years & a 3-year starter. Very physical player who plays the run extremely well & is a sound, dependable tackler. Only average speed at 4.58 & limited athleticism, Taylor is an exceptional leader & excellent football player. Playing deep centerfield might be a problem, but he did everything else you expect in a safety very well at the collegiate level.
3B. Brandon Brooks--guard--Miami of Ohio--23 yrs old--6' 5" 353
Massive O-lineman who has played both guard spots & right tackle. Bulldozer run blocker, long arms & superior strength just engulf defenders. Ran 4.98, did 36 bench press reps & his 4.52 short shuttle was best among all of the combine linemen. His pro day consisted of 4 different pro line coaches putting him thru their workout, it lasted 80-minutes & Brooks wasn't even breathing hard. He has quite a chip on his shoulder since he wasn't invited to the combine. Needs to play with more of an edge, not quite as mean as you'd like, but Brooks has plenty of upside with his athleticism, strength & versatility.
3C. Trumaine Johnson--cornerback--Montana--22 yrs old--6' 2" 205
Huge for a corner, excellent at jamming receivers with long powerful arms. Good short area quickness, but his deep speed just isn't there. Good cover-2 or zone corner, recruited as a receiver, plays the ball in the air as good as anyone in this draft. Hasn't played against top-flight receivers at Montana. Excellent tackler & readily supports against the run. Has had a couple of minor off-field issues. Might eventually be moved to safety.
3D. Josh Norman--cornerback--Coastal Carolina--23 yrs old--6' 197
Very athletic, strong with long arms & soft hands for interceptions. Plays the ball very aggressively when it's in the air. Played mediocre competition in college but stepped up big in post-season all-star games. Might have a little too much swagger, was a big fish in a very small pond the past four years.
3E. Marvin McNutt--wide receiver--Iowa--23 yrs old--6' 3" 216
This is one of my favorites the past two years. Some of the best hands & sideline feet in this or any other draft. He's a possession receiver even with 4.56 speed, he builds as he goes. He is deadly outside the hashmarks but only average over the middle. Uses his big frame to screen DB's from the ball. Blocking is abysmal, poor technique & even worse effort. Still, an excellent outside route runner who catches everything he can touch & is fearless going up for the ball.
3F. Jamell Fleming--cornerback--Oklahoma--23 yrs old--5' 11" 206
For a guy who only clocked 4.53 at the combine, I never saw anyone run away from Fleming. He plays man coverage exceptionally well. Very physical when going for the ball & is a very solid tackler vs. the run. Takes too many chances in zone & gets caught peeking into the backfield. But in man, this kid can play. Good special teamer too.
If you have questions or comments please send them via email at rich@richsfootbalreport.com or by using the comment section here on the site. I'll preview my round four prospects tomorrow.
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