Kansas City Chiefs 2011 NFL Draft Review

The Chiefs began the 2011 Draft with eight picks. They finished the three day player procurement bowl with four on offense and five on defense for a total of nine. Major needs were addressed at wide receiver, the defensive front seven, and the interior of the offensive line. Kansas City traded its original first round pick (21) to Cleveland for a first round (27) and a third round pick (70). Building a team is a process. Last year’s strong draft combined with this group is pouring a solid concrete foundation. Jon Baldwin is a productive big physical receiver who was drafted to level the playing field for Dwayne Bowe and the prolific Chiefs’ running game. He catches the ball and can make a play when he’s covered. He uses his body to screen off a defender. A playmaker with over 20 career receptions of 40 yards or more, including 11 for touchdowns, he has the ability to dominate. He has amazing tools and talent to succeed on Sundays. Rodney Hudson is an athletic four-year starter who projects to center. He was awarded the Jacobs’ Blocking Trophy in both 2009 and 2010 as the best offensive lineman in the ACC Conference. He plays with the speed and agility to pull and be effective on the second level where he seals linebackers by taking good angles. Justin Houston projects to an outside linebacker in the 3- 4. He stood up in 2010 and rushed off the edge. He has a strong upper body and can set the edge if he plays with leverage and technique. He can turn the corner and flatten out down the line. His lateral quickness and change of direction are unusually good for a big man. He fell in the draft due to a failed drug test. Allen Bailey has played linebacker, defensive tackle, and defensive end before settling in at defensive end. Naturally strong, he has long arms and big hands. He plays with intensity, strength, and quickness. A good effort player, he will finish backside pursuit. He played in a 4-3 front scheme. The Chiefs project him as a five technique end where he can two gap. Jalil Brown is a physical and willing tackler and may get a look at safety as well as competing at cornerback. He will be counted on to contribute on all special teams coverage units. He plays best as a press corner. Brown has the ability, but needs the development in his overall game. Ricky Stanzi is a big and strong developmental quarterback who played in a pro style offense. He has a chance to move into the backup role immediately with Brodie Croyle a free agent and Tyler Palko, a career third quarterback. He has a good feel and a sixth sense in the pocket along with good poise and field vision. Gabe Miller brings versatility to the Chiefs. He will get work as an outside 3-4 linebacker and possibly a third tight end and special teams player. He started his career as a tight end. Miller has a medical history where he tore his Achilles tendon twice. His pro day results on 3/11/11 were 6032, 250, 4.63/40, 1.58/10, 33/BP, 36/VJ, 9-6/BJ, 4.12/SS, 6.97/3 cone. Jerrell Powe is built for power with good first step quickness for a big man. He has good strength in his arms and shoulders and is physically tough enough to stack a double team. As a nose tackle he has very good agility and the ability to change directions. He has quick feet, explosiveness, and quick reactions. He presses the pocket with a power rush. Productive and active he will compete with Anthony Toribio at nose tackle. Shane Bannon is a smart height and weight player that the Chiefs came across shortly before the draft. He played in 28 games at Yale. In 2009 he played fullback and was an H-back in 2010. In his career he rushed two times with one touchdown and caught 16 passes for 147 yards with two touchdowns. His pro day results on 3/23/11 were 6014, 265, 4.81/40, 1.81/10, 14/BP, 29/VJ, 9-1/BJ, 4.77/SS, 7.43/3 cone. He is a practice squad candidate. GRADE: ABOVE AVERAGE