Chiefs Draft: Rounds 1-3

Pmulls is likely the only other person who could conceivably care about this, but I'm writing it anyway. I have to do something as I wait for the Chiefs to pick again early in round 4.

Saddled with the 3rd overall pick in the first round after Herm Edwards' disastrous 2-14 season*, the Chiefs were really between a rock and a hard place. Interest from other teams wanting to trade up was less than minimal while this year's draft presented no strong options in the Chiefs most glaring need area, defensive line. The Chiefs' 2008 draft was universally heralded as one of the best in the league and it was full of big names to boot. Don't get me wrong, many of those picks contributed: Branden Albert and the CB Brandons (Flowers and Carr) started most downs. Jamal Charles and Glen Dorsey played numerous snaps. Undrafted free agent Maurice Liggett was a decent nickle back. But they all played on a team that won 2 games. In last year's draft the Chiefs largely went with "chalk." Pioli, Haley, and the rest of the Chiefs' draft team have not followed suit.

Damning the torpedoes with that third pick, Scott Pioli and Todd Haley took LSU defensive end Tyson Jackson, a mountain of a man at nearly 6' 5" and 296lbs. Pundits (and likely fans) were less than thrilled with the pick, as Jackson was a board-riser, but not considered to be a top-5 talent. Here are some extenuating circumstances:
- The Chiefs set the NFL record for fewest team sacks in a season last season. They must improve the defensive front.
- It's obvious that they plan to switch to a 3-4 defense, which requires fewer defensive lineman ... however, it requires larger, harder to find defensive linemen. Jackson was considered this year's absolute best "5 technique," the huge defensive ends needed to successfully operate a 3-4.
- More teams than ever have switched to the 3-4 this offseason, meaning that players like Jackson and #9 overall pick BJ Raji (the best Nose Tackle prospect in this draft) are more in demand than ever.
- Jackson isn't a huge stat guy. He isn't going to "Jared Allen" his way into 15-18 sacks in a season. He isn't a pure pass-rusher. But he is what you need out of your defensive ends in a 3-4: great against the run, tall and heavy and good at getting his hands up to knock down passes, and capable of occupying multiple opposing offensive lineman, allowing the linebackers to run free. This is obvious a picking a player who is both scarce and a glaring need, regardless of draft position.

The Chiefs didn't have a 2nd round pick, as they traded it to New England for Matt Cassel and Mike Vrabel. Right now this looks like a fantastic trade, and we Chiefs fans hope that Cassel alone will be more valuable than any 2nd round player could ever be. However, only time will tell, and it will greatly shape how Chiefs fans view the 2009 draft.

In their next pick, when many expected the Chiefs to take an offensive lineman or maybe a tight end, Pioli continued to beat the defensive-line drum with Alex Magee, a defensive tackle/end from one of my personal alma maters, Purdizzle. I was surprised by the pick, but I do find it intriguing. Magee is another big man, coming in at 6'3" and 298lbs. It's possible that the Chiefs drafted him to be another end in the 3-4 system - however, I'm intrigued by his possibilities as a nose tackle. I'm no expert, but the word on Magee is that he could stand some more weight on his frame. Some think he's too tall for the nose position, but I checked on Pioli's nose tackle in New England, Vince Wilfork, and he's essentially the same height (but 27 lbs heavier). Does drafting Magee and having him put on some weight = nose tackle ? It was widely believed that Raji was the only true nose tackle in the draft, but I'm wondering if the Chiefs see a possible conversion opportunity. Even if they don't, he has the body to play the other end opposite of Tyson Jackson.

The Chiefs have obviously targeted defense early on, and it was this teams glaring weakness last year. I do have to think that their 4th round pick will be offensive line, but Pioli doesn't seem to care about doing what's "expected."

* Sidenote: It shows just how bad the "worst" teams in the NFL were last year when a team goes 2-14 and picks 3rd.