The Kansas City Chiefs were one of the biggest surprises in the National Football League last season. Finishing with a 11-5 record and earning a trip to the postseason, Kansas City now looks to improve on that and overtake the Denver Broncos in what has suddenly become a really good AFC West.
Without a second-round pick due to the Alex Smith deal, Kansas City will have to make sure that it hits on its first two selections with high-impact performers. Here is our final Chiefs 2013 NFL draft preview.
Major Needs
Wide Receiver: With Donnie Avery, A.J. Jenkins and Junior Hemingway as the Chiefs top-three receivers after Dwayne Bowe, it's pretty obvious that this is a position of need. Bowe, who didn't live up to expectations last season, might not have a long-term future in Kansas City. Not only do the Chiefs need to get a receiver, they need a No. 1 type on the outside.
Guard: Jeff Allen and Jeff Linkenbach are Kansas City's two starting guards right now. They are backed up by Rishaw Johnson and Rokevious Watkins. That's not necessarily the best interior line the AFC West has to offer. In order to continue protecting Alex Smith from the interior of the line and open up holes for Jamaal Charles in the ground game, the Chiefs are going to have to get an immediate fix here.
Defensive End: With Tyson Jackson now gone, Kansas City could very well be in the market for another starting defensive end. Allen Bailey is replacing him along the left side of the line, but he leaves a lot to be desired in terms of putting pressure on the guarterback. After that, the Chiefs have Vance Walker, who they signed away from the Oakland Raiders in the offseason.
Inside Linebacker: I am not too entirely sure that the Chiefs are sold on Nico Johnson as a starter at this point. He's still quite a bit raw and struggles in coverage. The upside really isn't there. If the Chiefs decide to go inside linebacker in the first round, it would likely by quick faller C.J. Mosley, which doesn't seem to make a ton of sense. Expect them to get a mid-round guy to compete with Johnson.
Free Safety: Eric Berry is one of the best all-around safeties in the NFL, but he is going to need a running partner in the not-so-distant future. Husain Abdullah just isn't a long-term fix.
Day-One Targets
Marqise Lee: At 6'0" and 192, Lee would be the perfect complement to Bowe in the passing game. He's elusive after the catch, can make plays on crossing routes and is hard to cover when he hits the secondary because of above-average athleticism. Not a traditional No. 1, but a perfect complementary player. Lee would be a safe pick in the first.
Allen Robinson: Unlike Lee, this Penn State product would be more of a long-term replacement for Bowe, but could team up with the Chiefs' top receiver out of the gate. He boasts great route-running ability, does a tremendous job utilizing his frame and can get up over the top of defensive back. He'll be an immediate red-zone target.
Brandin Cooks: More in the form of a Tavon Austin, Cooks is someone that will come in and provide a ton of help over the top. He's not going to be a tradition No. 1 receiver, but can help take the lid off the defense. Higher upside than Lee, but also a lower floor.
Kony Ealy: As I mentioned above, Kansas City is in need of a starting defensive end. At 6'4" and 273, Ealy has enough bulk to play defensive end in a 3-4. He's a better pass rusher at this point, but can utilize above-average strength to be a solid run stuffer.
Stephon Tuitt: A prototypical 3-4 defensive end, Tuitt has seen his stock drop a bit during the draft process, but he'd make for an awesome fit in Kansas City. More of a run defender than a pass-rush threat, Tuitt comes into the NFL in the mold of the new big-bodied exterior players on basic 3-4 defensive fronts.
Xavier Su'a-Filo: Pretty much the consensus No. 1 guard in the draft, unless you ask me, Su'a-Filo will likely be drafted in the first round. He's better in pass protection right now, but boasts the upside to be a better run blocker moving forward.
Day-Two Targets
Ed Reynolds: A true free safety in every sense of the term, Reynolds would be a perfect complement to Berry at safety. His range is among the best in the draft, but he's not going to go out there and hit...that would be left up for Berry. Without a second-round pick, Kansas City has to hope he falls to the back end of the third.
Terrence Brooks: Brooks is climbing up draft boards and may actually find himself drafted somewhere in the second round. In the off chance that he is available at the bottom of the third, Kansas City would have to jump on him. A better all-around safety than Reynolds.
Paul Richardson: Take the top off the defense. This is the type of player the smallish Colorado product is. He will struggle against press at the next level, but can be a home-run hitter at the next level.
Bruce Ellington: I am higher on Elllington than most. He boasts a solid set of hands and actually plays bigger than his smallish frame suggests. A perfect slot receiver in Kansas City's offense.
Day-Three Targets
Arthur Lynch: More of a blocking tight end, Lynch didn't have many opportunities to run routes at Georgia. He does, however, boast some decent hands and can utilize his strength to beat defenders at the point of contact.
Aaron Murray: It remains to be seen whether the Chiefs will go after a project quarterback at some point in the draft, but if the do this is going to be an intriguing option. If it wasn't for a torn ACL suffered as a senior at Georgia, Murray probably would have found himself as a late Day 2 pick.
Dakota Dozier: Yet another fast riser, Dozier's tape is pretty darn impressive. He's more athletic than given credit for and boasts the necessary frame to be a solid guard in the NFL.
Final Seven-Round Mock Draft
1. Marqise Lee, Wide Receiver, Southern California
3. Ed Reynolds, Safety, Stanford
4. Arthur Lynch, Tight End, Georgia
5. Ethan Wesbrooks, Defensive End, West Texas A&M
6. Chris Watt, Guard, Notre Dame
6. Howard Jones, Linebacker, Shephard