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With the news that the Kansas City Chiefs will be picking third in the first round of the 2009 NFL draft and the college bowl games coming up, we wanted to throw out some defensive players to watch in bowl games this weekend.
I'm taking players from Mike Mayock's twenty top prospects list over at NFL.com. Not all of these players will necessarily be looked at hard by the Chiefs but it's good to be informed anyway, right? Don't worry about jumping into the later rounds just yet. We'll have plenty of time for that.
DE Brian Orakpo
Game: Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Texas v. Ohio State
When: Jan. 5 at 7 PM central
Notes from NFL Draft Dog: Top rated DE; good against the run and the pass; rarely out of position; will have trouble "turning the corner" at the next level.
Living in Austin, I'm constantly coming across Orakpo's face on the local news. He's the main defensive player that gets interviewed before and after the game. He's also one of the de facto spokesman for the team, being a senior.
Check out this 1 min. clip of his highlights against Missouri, a game I actually attended.
Orakpo is a monster in the weight room and this clip from ESPN is worth it just to see what Orakpo looked like when he came to Texas and what he looks like now.
Expect him to get a touch of the "workout warrior" label because of his scary ability in the weight room. That doesn't mean it will stick though.
LB Rey Maualuga
Game: Rose Bowl, USC v. Penn St.
When: Jan. 1 at 4 PM central
Notes from NFL Draft Dog: Big time hitter; good instincts (Love those draft buzz words!); not vocal; temperamental.
Watch these highlights of Maualuga against Illinois in the Rose Bowl last year and be very impressed.
Arguably, a linebacker with Maualuga's pass rushing ability is what the Chiefs' need most. He's a guy, especially in our defensive state, that you would tweak the scheme to cater to his abilities.
LB James Laurinaitis
Game: Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Texas v. Ohio State
When: Jan. 5 at 7 PM central
Notes from NFL Draft Dog: With Maualuga, head and shoulders above any other linebackers in this class; not as stout against the run as Maualuga; highly decorated; pass coverage is a strength.
Check out some of his highlights below. FYI, music plays pretty loudly on this video.
Laurinaitis almost came out of school last year but opted to come back for a senior season. This is Lanier63's boy so watch what you say about him.
DE Michael Johnson
Game: Chick-fil-A Bowl, Georgia Tech v. LSU
When: Dec. 31st at 6:30 PM central
Notes from NFL Draft Dog: good athleticism explosiveness and burst; not very consistent or durable; needs to improve run defense.
Click that link to the NFL Draft Dog site and the first thing you'll notice about that picture of Michael Johnson is that he is so much smaller than Brian Orakpo. He's like a Brodie Croyle at the defensive end position. He is very tall and athletic though, not to knock him too much.
Check out these highlights from the Georgia Tech v. Virginia Tech game from September of this year.So, there are four guys for you to keep an eye on this week. This is your last chance to see some of these prospects in live action, which is something I have to admit I don't get to see enough with a lot of these prospects.
We're going to beat this first round draft pick selection to a pulp over the next few months. But shooting from the hip, who do you like out of these guys? Right now, I'm a Maualuga fan myself. That highlight video sold me.
We'll be talking about the offensive players to watch tomorrow. Add any other bowl bound defensive prospects you'll be checking out this week in the comment section.
1 recs | 53 comments
orakpo, laurinaitis, maualuga
IISaiNtII - December 30, 2008
Johnson
doesn’t appear to a top ten talent by any means. He’s seems to be helped by the hype machine.
Chris Thorman - December 30, 2008
Absolutely agree
Orakpo or Laurinaitis are my top choices. I would actually prefer JL, but it all starts at the line. Hopefully we can get a DE in FA market, and get JL :) He seems to have amazing instincts.
IISaiNtII - December 30, 2008
I almost wish we we needed help at safety
So we could select Taylor Mays out of USC. What a freak of nature.
Joel Thorman - December 30, 2008
I'll say it for you
we seriously need help at the strong safety position
rdub - December 30, 2008
you can't
honestly think that it’s the position we need the most help at. Don’t get me wrong, i’m as done with Pollard as the next guy but we need a pash rusher or even an impact linebacker way more.
Ridiculous Matt - December 30, 2008
Or Even Another Offensive Tackle Before A Safety
We can win with Bernard Pollard in the lineup…we aren’t going to win with our lines and linebacking corps in the shape they’re in.
UCrawford - December 30, 2008
Pollard
was our top tackler by far. That dude was all over the place. He definitely makes up for his shortcomings in my book.
ChiefsDude - December 30, 2008
that alone is why I think he could move to linebacker
Lanier63 - December 30, 2008
We've
got to stop the run, so I like Rey out of USC. Our offense can put up 24 pts per game, so If we can get stops, WE CAN WIN ! Plus he will make DJ much better. IMO.
GHOST OF DT - December 30, 2008
We need to stop the pass
way more than we need to stop the run. We need to stop the run, too, but Dorsey showed that his biggest impact may be stuffing running lanes. Conversely, we set the freaking record for fewest sacks. Orakpo is the exact type of player we need. Fast, athletic, tough, has a mean-streak, and is a top-line, impact player as opposed to the mid-level “quality” picks we’ve taken on the line in years past. None of the linebackers impress me. I love the idea of Orakpo if we don’t get Bradford.
Ridiculous Matt - December 30, 2008
If
we’re still a Tampa 2 defense next year… and I hope we’re not unless we somehow recruit Monte Kiffin… then yeah, I’d agree that Orakpo is a must have. But talent wise, I believe we’re most deficient at the linebacker spot.
ChiefsDude - December 30, 2008
Couldn't disagree with you more.
Did you see the Buffalo game? The Miami game? FatDale White?
Official Arrowhead Pride Parade - December 30, 2008
We still like Orakpo though too.
But a big time DE is a luxury when your cover 2 has the structural integrity of a a Rolo.
Official Arrowhead Pride Parade - December 30, 2008
"Right now, I'm a Maualuga fan myself. That highlight video sold me."
I don’t know, that Laurinitis rock music really swayed me.
RoyalsRetro - December 30, 2008
I want Maualuga simply because...
he beat the hell out of meat gazing Rudy Carpenter.
HIV 2 Elway - December 30, 2008
I Think Maualuga
Is going to be the second coming of Junior Seau…so I don’t think he’d be a reach at #3. The guy’s a beast.
UCrawford - December 30, 2008
Agree
RoyalsRetro - December 30, 2008
Thirded
Official Arrowhead Pride Parade - December 30, 2008
with our coaches
he’d be the second coming of Derrick Johnson
Lanier63 - December 30, 2008
Our Coaches Aren't Coming Back
So all things are possible. :)
UCrawford - December 30, 2008
That's still better
than the first coming of Rocky Boiman or Demorrio Williams =)
PVChiefsfan - December 30, 2008
Hard to get excited about any of these guys at #3
Trade down or take an o-lineman.
HIV 2 Elway - December 30, 2008
You can't trade down in our team state
Most teams that trade down are teams who are competitive.
cmpotter - December 30, 2008
Well it makes sense for us to trade down
We need help in a LOT of places, while the good teams are usually only a couple players away.
That said, I don’t see any trying to trade into the top 5 of this draft.
Joel Thorman - December 30, 2008
What about Aaron Curry
This guy is an amazing talent. He would also be an instant starter. He isn’t MLB but we can get one. Also the Chiefs need to spend the big money and go after Haynesworth. Tennessee can’t franchise him due to him making the pro bowl. There is a clause in his contract and that is why they are negotiating with him now. As soon as they are out of the playoffs he is free to walk.
cmpotter - December 30, 2008
Haynesworth
Wasn’t much of a player until the last 2 years – both contract years. I’d be pretty leery of that alone.
Joel Thorman - December 30, 2008
We need somebody there.
We have nobody that gets push up the middle. We need a legit DT.
cmpotter - December 30, 2008
Agreed
I’m just not ready to give up on Dorsey yet. Having 2 DTs, like Dorsey and Haynesworth, would be a luxury on a team that is still missing a dozen starters.
Joel Thorman - December 30, 2008
I still think Dorsey will be good
But to run the Tampa 2 you need two good DTs. Sapp and MacFarland come to mind. They were the driving force behind it.
cmpotter - December 30, 2008
I'd rather throw a ton of money at Suggs.
HIV 2 Elway - December 30, 2008
or even Peppers or Bart Scott
cmpotter - December 30, 2008
Peppers will be franchised
If he doesn’t get a long-term deal. The Panthers announced that in November.
Joel Thorman - December 30, 2008
Curry
He may not have a Bowl game for us to watch but I really like him. From what I am seeing and hearing about him Curry should be our pick at the 3rd spot. You have to love a LB who they struggle to find holes in his game. He can cover, pass rush, breakdown plays, takes on and sheds blockers easily (DJ’s biggest flaw) – everything you need from a top LB. If we don’t go lineman then he should be our pick.
tevans96 - December 30, 2008
Highlights
Some links to the Butkus award winning best LB in College.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDNfp6S11Sk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1waonOFv20
tevans96 - December 30, 2008
He played in the first bowl game of the year
He had an off game in my opinion. I want to see him in the Senior Bowl.
Lanier63 - December 30, 2008
the draft all depends on what happens in free agency
obviously we need a good pass rusher and probably a couple of linebackers but depending on who (if anybody with credibility) we sign in free agency, will determine our draft. we know what positions need to be filled badly but did anybody else seee todd mcshay’s mock draft the other day where he projects us to draft stafford even though he hasnt declared yet? i dont think we should draft a qb in the 1st round
chiefs8288 - December 30, 2008
How do you all rate Zach Potter...
Defensive End from Nebraska…6’7", 280lbs. He had a pretty good season….43 total tackles; 14 of those were tackles for losses; 5.5 sacks; 2 interceptions; 1 forced fumble; 3 blocked kicks.
Ducky22 - December 30, 2008
It seems the Rey
Is going to be a hard hitting beast and Laurinitis looks like the more all around MLB. It really depends on what defense we are going to run. Laurinitis fits the defense we have now, but who knows what defense we are running next season.
cmpotter - December 30, 2008
Chiefs need a leader on D
With that said I have to go with Brian Orakpo over Rey.
According to the scouting report it says Rey is “not vocal; temperamental.” Sounds like another DJ to me. We need someone vocal that’s going to hold people accountable on D. I see that being Orakpo since they talk about his leadership quality and the one that addresses the media after all the games.
If only we could get both of them : (
AK_47 - December 30, 2008
Orakpo is definitely a leader
And I agree that the Chiefs need one on defense.
Chris Thorman - December 30, 2008
so is James 'L' (no way am I typing his name a bazillion times between now and April) =)
the same goes for Rey ‘M’
PVChiefsfan - December 30, 2008
i have wanted to draft orakpo to our team all season long
so naturally i like that idea
chiefs8288 - December 30, 2008
Just from watching those clips
against the run, ‘L’ takes better angles than ‘M’ …
PVChiefsfan - December 30, 2008
I agree
JL is a much better all around player than RM IMHO. That’s not to say you couldn’t coach that into RM, but JL seems to be a more solid player now than RM is.
IISaiNtII - December 30, 2008
Free agency
Like it was said up there it all depends on free agency. And that all depends on who our new coach and gm is. I personally would like to see Jonathan Vilma become a chief. He will not be signed unless the saints want to give up a 1st rounder for him. Then it depends on what we want DJ to do. Orakpo is my choice if no bradford. NO one is talking about Sean Weatherspoon doubt he wont come out this year but I think he’ll be a top rated LB next year.
NakedDave - December 30, 2008
Again, based on the clip
Johnson doesn’t really impress me – the big sack he made in that clip was a pretty easy one – the LT and HB stretched him out and I’m sure they thought he would run behind the QB – they had no way of knowing the push up the middle forced the QB back that far.
PVChiefsfan - December 30, 2008
Johnson has been falling all season
He has been surpassed by at least 2 other DEs, I don’t think he should even be in the conversation at the 3rd pick.
tevans96 - December 30, 2008
It wouldn't shock me if had a fall like Merling of Clemson did last year.
He was projected top 15 but fell to the 2nd round to Miami. I’d take him 2nd round for sure.
KCScuba - December 30, 2008
I have a gut feeling
that Johnson is going to end up being the best DE out of the class when all is said and done. He’s got every physical tool in the book, and he’s got drive. Orakpo is probably going to be better his first few years, but I think Johnson will have a better career. Just a gut feeling.
My only concern with Muauluga is that he’s the Sam Bradford of the defensive prospects. Yeah, he looks like a man among men on the field, but how much of that is because just about every position on that team is absolutely loaded? Half of those sacks he was unblocked because of double teams on linemen.
JayrodT - December 30, 2008
Good point on Muauluga
I don’t think that is the case with him but most of us thought Sims was a great player when he came out. But it ended up being that he was just freed up because he played next to a monster. It is a little unsettling that all 3 of the LBs M plays with are rated high. Are they really that good or just never have to take on O-linemen?
tevans96 - December 30, 2008
You can make that statement just about every player
who’s team is in the top ten.
cmpotter - December 30, 2008
Let's draft Rey Maualuga.....
because he wears number 58…. :)….brings CHIEFS good luck
ali_djoo - December 30, 2008
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