2012 NFL Offseason: Kansas City Chiefs
Draft Grades, Season Previews, Offseason Needs, Free Agents
Kansas City Chiefs (Last Year: 7-9)
2012 NFL Draft Grade: C
Goals Entering the 2012 NFL Draft: Excluding the obvious hole at quarterback, the Chiefs have two positions of weakness: interior offensive line and nose tackle. Luckily for them, they may have a choice between David DeCastro and Dontari Poe at No. 11. There are also second-round prospects at those positions (Kevin Zeitler, Alameda Ta'amu) who could be available.
2012 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Throughout the entire pre-draft process, my source with the Chiefs continuously tried to convince me that the team would select Dontari Poe, but I stubbornly refused to believe it. How could Scott Pioli, who believes in the Bill Belichick mantra, spend such a high pick on someone who was so mediocre on tape against inferior competition? Belichick would pick David DeCastro to bolster the offensive line, so I thought that's what Pioli would do.
Apparently not. I don't see how anyone can validate selecting Poe so highly. He was a Combine superstar, but so was Mike Mamula. There's no denying his potential, but he did nothing against crappy Conference USA opponents. It's not like Jason Pierre-Paul where the prospect in question didn't have much playing time, and thus was an unknown commodity; Poe was on the field a lot, but did nothing versus players who won't even cut it in the Arena League.
It's also hard to get behind the rest of Kansas City's draft. Jeff Allen is a project, and there were better guards available at No. 44 (Peter Konz). Donald Stephenson, like Poe, also has major potential, but he's really inexperienced. Devon Wylie was a reach in Round 4.
I also have to wonder why the Chiefs didn't obtain a quarterback of some sort. Ricky Stanzi couldn't even beat out Tyler Palko when Matt Cassel went down. A selection should have been used on someone to groom to eventually upgrade the weakest position on the roster.
2012 NFL Draft Individual Grades:
11. Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis: C Grade
Ugh. Does Scott Pioli watch film? How can he spend such a high pick on a Combine star who did absolutely nothing on the field? I won't ignore Dontari Poe's upside, but he has major bust potential. David DeCastro would have been a much better selection.
44. Jeff Allen, G, Illinois: B Grade
I knew the Chiefs were going with an offensive lineman, but I did not expect Jeff Allen at this spot. There are mixed opinions on Allen; some major boards had him in the 70s, while others ranked him in the 40-50 range. Allen needs to be developed, but he has potential to play left tackle. This is important for the Chiefs, who could be losing Branden Albert next year.
(Check update below)
74. Donald Stephenson, OT, Oklahoma: B Grade
Another tackle? Donald Stephenson fits the range and could even emerge as a potential starting left tackle, but then what did Kansas City draft Jeff Allen for? I don't think you take a backup tackle in Day 2.
Update: Just got word that the Chiefs view Jeff Allen as a guard prospect, so this selection makes more sense.
107. Devon Wylie, WR, Fresno State: C- Grade
Devon Wylie is a slight reach here; he was more of a Round 5-6 prospect. The Chiefs were looking for a slot receiver because Steve Breaston probably won't be around following the 2012 season.
146. DeQuan Menzie, CB/S, Alabama: A- Grade
DeQuan Menzie can play both cornerback and safety. Coincidentally, the Chiefs needed depth in both areas, especially the latter, since Romeo Crennel loves having three safeties on the field. Menzie was ranked No. 80 on Mike Mayock's big board, so he provides really good value in Round 5.
182. Cyrus Gray, RB, Texas A&M: A Grade
The Chiefs signed Peyton Hillis, but there's always a chance he could retire to become a CIA agent. They needed a third running back, and Gray could have easily been chosen in Round 3 or 4.
218. Jerome Long, DT, San Diego State: C- Grade
Jerome Long wasn't ranked anywhere. I'm not sure where this pick came from.
238. Junior Hemingway, WR, Michigan: A- Grade
This is not a need, but Junior Hemingway offers solid value in the middle of Round 7. One major big board had him at No. 163, and he was ranked No. 209 on the consensus chart.
*** 2012 NFL OFFSEASON NEEDS BELOW COMMENT BOARD ***
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Greek G
05-15-2012
08:31 pm
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I'm from the West Coast.
I can see Kansas City using Jerome Long as a situational pass rusher - from either DT or DE position. He isn't an every down player, but then again he was selected at pick 218.
Ryan
05-12-2012
10:58 am
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The only reason Stanzi couldn't "beat out" Tyler Palko last season was because Palko and Todd Haley were secret man lovers.
Karl Wain
05-06-2012
01:16 pm
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I like this site, but you need to go deeper into your player analysis... Poe played ALL DOWNS at ALL POSITIONS on the defensive line against mostly quick-throwing spread offenses at Memphis while being double/triple teamed on every single play because he was by far the best player on his defense. How is he supposed to get stats under these circumstances? (Also, name the nose tackles in the NFL that can play all three downs -- hint: the list is very short.)
Also, he had three different coordinators at Memphis... I think Romeo has forgotten more about football than anyone (of course myself included) on this site and if he thinks he can coach Poe up to be a disruptive force, I'm inclined to believe him before labeling this kid a bust before he plays a single down. You label players busts before you've done true research.
David B.
04-30-2012
12:11 pm
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I think the Jeff Allen pick was all about versatility.
In the past Pioli has preferred to keep two backup offensive linemen: one tackle and one for the three interior spots. With the terrible Barry Richardson run out of town on a rail, the only backup tackle on the Chiefs roster is UDFA David Mims. Signing Eric Winston solved the RT problem, but he's a pure RT if Branden Albert went down with an injury i don't think Winston could fill in for him. When Albert was hurt before, LG Brian Waters kicked out to LT and performed admirably. I think the Chiefs were looking for a LG who could also play left tackle in a pinch. Allen backs up Albert, Lilja and Asamoah Asamoah backs Hudson Stephenson backs up Winston and eventually Winston
Walt
04-30-2012
08:10 am
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There is no such thing as a reach in the 4th round.
Poe
04-30-2012
08:09 am
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I watched 4 complete games of him online and I don't know where the "lazy" term comes from. The guy played over 60 snaps in each game and at no point did he not fire off the ball and get a strong push. If you watch the Tulane game for example, they run at him only a couple of times for no success and the rest of the time they are running away from him. It's hard to make a tackle when they are always running away from him. He also did pressure the QB A LOT, just didn't get the sacks. Putting pressure on a QB is important, makes them force balls. Watch the tape fellas and stop listening to people's random opinions. It amazes me how I keep reading Poe shouldn't have been taken at 11! However, in so many mocks they had him 7-15 range and he was ranked in the 20 range even before the combine. DeCastro is not a better prospect as there are many Guards at his size and his ability. There are not very many Poe's in the NFL, and none in this year's draft.
Misconception
04-30-2012
08:04 am
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Stanzi is and was better than Palko. Haley didn't play him because he didn't want him off the bench until he was ready. When Stanzi was drafted, it was known he would be a couple years until he was ready. Why put him out there to get brutalized with the crappy Oline play and no running game? Stanzi is going to be a good QB down the road.
Oz
04-30-2012
01:38 am
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I would give them a B-. I don't think Poe was that overdrafted, but I would have preferred DeCastro, the superior prospect. Actually, I would have preferred that they trade down with Philly, since its been reported that the Chiefs turned down a trade offer. You gotta be willing to take a chance, and I think both would have been there at 15.
The picks of Wylie(explosive but injury-prone, just like Moeaki) and Gray just re-enforces what a bad pick McCluster was since those are the roles he was suppose to fill. I hated that they used a 2nd round pick on him and always felt that he was a luxury item when the Chiefs still had needs, and now looks worse that he hasn't panned out. Pioli 1st round picks: -Tyson Jackson, a consensus reach -Eric Berry, big fan but coming off a serious knee injury -Jonathan Baldwin, don't know what to think after underwhelming year and potential headache -Dontari Poe, big reservations but I'll trust Crennel's eyes when it comes to the DL.
Tee
04-30-2012
12:41 am
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So let me get this straight.
You do not believe Poe deserves to be picked here? Yet you mocked him as 9, 11, 14, 14, 20, 20 in your last 6 mock drafts (probably in the last month)!!! Hmmm, if you did not think he deserves to be here, just put him in the second or third round. Or were you basing your mocks on Mike Mayock big board as you refer to him like 100 times per paragraph? cuz last I checked he had him at 13 overall. Your argument is a fail.
Wait a second
04-29-2012
07:46 pm
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I averaged out all of your individual picks (By using an A as 95, A- as 90 and so on and found the average would be about 81, which is a B-. Yet you give them a C. Get your grades right man, you can't have it both ways.
Sean
04-29-2012
07:31 pm
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Really? Pioli has never missed on a first round defensive lineman?
Tyson Jackson.
Joey
04-29-2012
04:26 pm
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I agree w a lot of ur points (Poe over decastro, Allen over Konz) but think that I'd give the draft about a B- w potential of jumping to a B+ depending on Poe. I would have loved to have gotten Brandon Taylor in the 3rd n gotten Stephenson in the 4th, but overall I think that the draft was really what the team needed. With our stars coming back and the fact that we killed it in FA, I think that the draft improved us at many of the spots we needed.
Michael
04-29-2012
03:48 pm
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Posting in threads about NFL Draft Grades is almost as useless as NFL draft grades themselves......
JMC
04-29-2012
03:44 pm
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Walt, imagine that you had to do all of your work in collaboration with Emmitt Smith on your website, being forced by Fox Sports to let Emmitt write 75% of the stories, and then you having to spend most of your time correcting Emmitt's Enggish & gammar. Your own work would probably be crap as a result...
This is the story of Dontari Poe, with Emmitt being the rest of that terrible Memphis program. Also, Pioli has never missed on a first round DL.
Walt
04-29-2012
12:47 pm
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@BMH He has a big fat contract that is why.
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Season Summary:
What Romeo Crennel did at the end of the year was pretty impressive. In two of the final three weeks, he shut down Aaron Rodgers and Tim Tebow. Not that those quarterbacks are close to one another, but the latter did go on and defeat the Steelers seven days afterward. With numerous key players coming back from injury, the Chiefs will be a playoff contender in 2012. Unfortunately, their quarterback situation will prevent them from ever being ranked among the league's elite.
Offseason Moves:
Offseason Needs:
- Quarterback: It's a shame the Chiefs couldn't hire Josh McDaniels to work with Matt Cassel again. Cassel will be the starter next year, but he's very mediocre. He doesn't have the physical tools to consistently lead his team deep into the playoffs. Ricky Stanzi, a fifth-round pick in 2011, isn't much of a ray of hope, given that he couldn't unseat Tyler Palko as the starter once Cassel went down. Signed Brady Quinn
- Right Tackle: Barry Richardson was one of the worst starting linemen in the NFL last year. I'm sure the Chiefs would love to land Riley Reiff with the 11th-overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft. Jonathan Martin would work as well. Signed Eric Winston
- Nose Tackle: Kelly Gregg turns 36 this year. Jerrell Powe, drafted in the sixth round last April, barely played. If Kansas City isn't too optimistic about Powe, it could use its second-rounder on Dontari Poe.
- Cornerback: Brandon Flowers, bastard of Highgarden, was re-signed to a big contract in September. The Chiefs will also have to lock up free-agent Brandon Carr. If he leaves, they'll need a new starting cornerback. Signed Stanford Routt
- Guard/Center: Casey Wiegmann will turn 39 in July. He's mulling retirement, so if he follows through, the Chiefs will need an interior offensive lineman, depending on where they want to utilize 2011 second-rounder Rodney Hudson.
- Tight End: Tony Moeaki was injury-prone at Iowa, so it wasn't a surprise to see him tear his ACL in the preseason. Moeaki is talented, but unreliable. A mid-round pick could be used on a tight end. Signed Kevin Boss
- Running Back: Jamaal Charles will be back from a torn ACL. There were already questions about his ability to carry the load, so the Chiefs should find another capable back to split carries with him. If Trent Richardson isn't available at No. 11 overall, a mid-round pick could be used on a complement. Signed Peyton Hillis
- Rush Linebacker Depth: Justin Houston really came on at the end of last season, but the Chiefs won't have much of a pass rush if either he or Tamba Hali goes down with an injury next year.
- Inside Linebacker Depth: Kansas City is also thin in this area.
2012 NFL Free Agent Signings:
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Eric Winston, OT, Texans. Age: 28. 
Signed with Chiefs
Eric Winston is a talented right tackle who would be a great fit for any team running a zone-blocking system. He surrendered seven sacks in 2011, but four came when T.J. Yates was inserted into the lineup, so that number is inflated. Winston's best trait is his reliability; he hasn't missed a start since 2006.
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Stanford Routt, CB, Raiders. Age: 29.
Signed with Chiefs (3 years, $19.6 million; $4 million signing bonus)
One of the most overrated players in the NFL, Stanford Routt is often discussed as a Pro Bowl-caliber cornerback, but he definitely shouldn't be. Routt has good coverage skills, but is often penalized. He was whistled for 17 infractions in 2011 alone (it easily could have been a lot more), which led all players at his position.
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Peyton Hillis, RB, Browns. Age: 26.
Signed with Chiefs (1 year, $3 million)
Peyton Hillis is a tough runner with good pass-catching ability when healthy, but the problem is that he's always banged up. He's just way too unreliable, and his fumbling issues don't help.
Update: Hillis reportedly has thought about quitting football to become a CIA agent. Umm... what? Teams will definitely question his dedication.
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Kevin Boss, TE, Raiders. Age: 28.
Signed with Chiefs (3 years, $9 million)
Kevin Boss is a decent end zone target (16 TDs last three years with Giants) and a solid blocker.
- Brady Quinn, QB, Broncos. Age: 27. -- Signed with Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs Free Agents:
Salary Cap: TBA.
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Dwayne Bowe, WR, Chiefs. Age: 27.
Franchised by Chiefs
Dwayne Bowe is a dynamic talent and one of the better receivers in the NFL. His production is remarkable considering the mediocre quarterbacks he's worked with throughout his professional career.
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Brandon Carr, CB, Chiefs. Age: 26.
Signed with Cowboys (5 years, $50.1 million)
Brandon Carr allowed a completion percentage of 49.4 in 2011. He is a No. 1-caliber cornerback who will be rewarded with a big contract this offseason.
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Jovan Belcher (RFA), ILB, Chiefs. Age: 25.
Re-signed with Chiefs (1 year, $1.927 million)
Jovan Belcher is a very underrated player. He's a slight liability in coverage sometimes, but he's terrific in run support.
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Le'Ron McClain, FB, Chiefs. Age: 27.
Signed with Chargers (3 years)
Le'Ron McClain is only a decent run-blocker. He barely got any carries last year despite the injury to Jamaal Charles.
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Casey Wiegmann, C, Chiefs. Age: 39.
The Chiefs will welcome back Casey Wiegmann if he still wants to play, but at 39, his performance could fall off at any point without warning.
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Kyle Orton, QB, Chiefs. Age: 29.
Signed with Cowboys (3 years)
Kyle Orton has proven that he can be a solid game-manager when surrounded by a quality supporting cast. That's all he is though.
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Kelly Gregg, NT, Chiefs. Age: 35.
Kelly Gregg did a great job stuffing the run early, but wore down as the season went on. He'll be 36 in November.
- Barry Richardson, OT, Chiefs. Age: 26. -- Signed with Rams
- Wallace Gilberry, DE, Chiefs. Age: 27.
- Amon Gordon, NT, Chiefs. Age: 30. -- Re-signed with Chiefs (2 years)
- Jon McGraw, S, Chiefs. Age: 33.
- Jackie Battle, RB, Chiefs. Age: 28.
- Travis Daniels, CB, Chiefs. Age: 29. -- Re-signed with Chiefs
- Leonard Pope, TE, Chiefs. Age: 28. -- Signed with Steelers
- Demorrio Williams, ILB, Chiefs. Age: 32. -- Signed with Chargers (1 year)
- Thomas Jones, RB, Chiefs. Age: 34.
- Anthony Becht, TE, Chiefs. Age: 35.
- Sabby Piscitelli, S, Chiefs. Age: 29.
- Jerheme Urban, WR, Chiefs. Age: 31.
- Jake O'Connell (RFA), TE, Chiefs. Age: 26. -- Re-signed with Chiefs (1 year)
2012 NFL Free Agent Rankings Coming Soon
Divisional Rival History:
Denver Broncos: The home team always wins. Well, it used to anyway. The host claimed 16 of the previous 20 matchups prior to 2011. The road team captured both victories last season. Oakland Raiders: The road team has somehow won nine of the previous 10 meetings. Aren't Arrowhead and the Black Hole supposed to be intimidating places to play? San Diego Chargers: The host has been victorious in 21 of the previous 28 battles. San Diego has won seven of the past nine matchups - and it would have been eight out of nine if Philip Rivers hadn't botched a routine snap in Arrowhead.
Features to be Posted This Offseason:
- 2012 NFL Draft Grades (Pick-by-Pick NFL Draft Grades as well - Live on Draft Day!)
- Detailed season preview
- Fantasy football projections
- Positional rankings
- Daily updates on free-agent signings
2012 NFL Offseason Pages
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings - May 25
2013 NFL Mock Draft - May 22
Charlie's 2013 NFL Mock Draft - May 21
2012 NBA Mock Draft - May 19
2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 7
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