Currently, the Chiefs have two defensive ends on the roster - Tamba Hali and Turk McBride. Hali will obviously anchor the opposite side of what used to be Jared Allen's end, leaving the other end spot open for competition.
As it stands, the Kansas City Chiefs do not have a clear cut starter ready to step into place. McBride had a slow time adjusting to the NFL last year and I don't believe he is ready to step into a full time starting role at defensive end. This could change as the off season and training camp go on but it's hard for me to believe that the Chiefs have penciled in McBride as the starting left end.
With free agency virtually over, the Chiefs will be quickly turning to the draft this weekend for their defensive end needs. Here's a look at the top rated defensive ends, courtesy of NFL Draft Countdown.
| 1. | Chris Long | Virginia |
| 2. | Vernon Gholston | Ohio St. |
| 3. | Derrick Harvey | Florida |
| 4. |
Philip Merling |
Clemson |
| 5. | Calais Campbell | Miami |
| 6. | Lawrence Jackson |
USC |
So, is it going to be Chris Long or Vernon Gholston? I would be happy with either one of those although I doubt Chris Long makes to to the Chiefs at #5.
If not there, do the Chiefs target who the Vikings were targeting with their #17 pick before they traded it to KC -- Derrick Harvey out of Florida?
Or are the Chiefs willing to delve much deeper in the draft and develop a defensive end they feel has value and potential?
I have to admit that my knowledge of this year's defensive ends is limited. I wasn't expecting us to have to address this position in the draft. Anyone have any suggestions?
0 recs | 18 comments
Don't want a DE with our 1st pick
B/c then it just seems like we traded a proven DE for an unproven one with not much difference in money.
Joel Thorman - April 23, 2008
Agreed
But if not a defensive end with the first pick, then who?
I bet we trade down, out of the #5 pick and add to our stockpile of draft choices. The rumblings about the Saints wanting to trade up are getting louder.
Chris Thorman - April 23, 2008
I'm all for trading down
At some point I see us totally owning the last round with at least 20 picks.
sir eccles - April 23, 2008
Do you realize
how many 7th rounders one 1st rounder will get you?
Amazing!
Chris Thorman - April 23, 2008
umm
more than one I hope :-)
sir eccles - April 23, 2008
Defensive Tackle With First Pick...
...for the 17th pick I’m okay with Derrick Harvey. Or even trading up a bit (by maybe tossing in one of our 3rd rounders) if we could snag Otah, Clady, Williams, etc. at OT. I’m hoping that at least one of those players slips a bit, though, so a trade won’t be necessary.
UCrawford - April 23, 2008
RE
I recently saw some video of Sedrick Ellis and the guy looks flat out scary. He was HUGE!
Chris Thorman - April 23, 2008
let's be honest
someone will line up in Allen’s position. But there is no way the Chiefs get 15 sacks out of that position next year, or any time in the near future.
Anyone want to bet that rush end just became our new black hole that is never filled, going beside quarterback, speed wide receiver and defensive tackle?
sm7600 - April 23, 2008
Hopefully that bet doesn't come true
I’m watching Sportscenter now and they’re showing a ton of Allen clips. He was an awesome Chief.
I’m legitimately down about this.
Chris Thorman - April 23, 2008
I wouldn't sweat it
Peterson’s gone in two years, max. He’s the reason those black holes always lasted so long. If we get even an average evaluator of talent in the GM chair we’ll be better off.
UCrawford - April 23, 2008
Also...
...pass rushing defensive ends, while not overly common, are also not a rarity. I also have some faith in Gunther Cunningham’s ability to adapt his defensive strategy to his personnel somewhat (I just wouldn’t put him in charge of picking his own players).
UCrawford - April 23, 2008
Marty
I would be happy with him as GM…is that silly?
PVChiefsfan - April 23, 2008
Prediction
Obviously, if Long falls to us, he is the BPA and we’ll grab him (which we might have done if he fell to us even without trading Allen)...if he doesn’t, and we don’t trade down, I am guessing we’ll grab a DT at #5, and a DE at #17 – Since I was picking for the hated Vi-queens in the mock, I researched both Harvey and Merling, and ended up going with Merling (who several sites had ranked ahead of Harvey)
Someone mentioned grabbing Gholston, but that he was too much of a “tweener” and would be better in a 3-4… but he’s only like 5 pounds lighter than Allen, and I would bet, quite a bit faster. Why would we not be able to use him at RE in a 4-3? He looks like a rare athletic specimen.
Final question – Is Hali faster than Allen? (i.e. could he benefit from moving to RE? everybody always said he was too small to play LE)
PVChiefsfan - April 23, 2008
Sedrick Ellis
5 isn’t too high for Sedrick Ellis. Based on relative value of DT vs DE, I think we need to go DT if we keep the pick.However, I hope we trade down and make someone pay us handsomely to move into the #5 spot. I like Chris’ idea about the Saints; the Bungles also chronically need D-line help. Even the Patriots are staring down contract years for Wilfork and Seymour, although I shudder to think how badly Pioli and Belichick would hornswaggle Crap Leterson if a deal was consummated.
chiefstatnut - April 23, 2008
Harvey won't be there at #17
I think I’ve made abundantly clear already my mancrush on Derrick Harvey…
but the Lions (#15) have already stated they will take him if he’s available :(
If we don’t trade down…
I really hope we take the best available player, whether it be Dorsey, Long, Gholston, or McFadden
If we can trade down…
take Harvey at #10 (assuming it’s the Saints)
and, either way, take the best available OL at #17 (Clady, Albert, Otah, or Williams)
stag - April 23, 2008
At Pick 17
I think Clady, Albert, Otah, and Williams are all projected to be gone. Cherilus should still be available, though, and I don’t think he’s too much of a reach for us. I’d be okay if the Chiefs tried to trade up. But I’ll be upset if they lose that #5 pick. Those are some excellent defensive line prospects who’ll be available there…much better than any we’ve had access to in the first round for a long time. I’d love to see Ellis, Dorsey or Long anchoring our line for the next four or five years. Particularly Long, because I know it would gall the hell out of Al Davis :)
UCrawford - April 23, 2008
Albert could probably be there
The only other team I’ve seen him going to is the Steelers and they pick like 23 or something.
I have no idea why Kiper (and subsequently Todd McShay) decided to move Albert up to the #5 spot 2 weeks before the draft. It’s insane. They don’t know more than anyone else.
Joel Thorman - April 24, 2008
Long as a Chief
would be hilarious, but I don’t think Davis would let it happen – if St. Louis doesn’t take Long, I am almost sure that Oakland will.
PVChiefsfan - April 25, 2008
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