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2007 NFL
Draft Predictions2007
Kansas City Chiefs NFL Draft Predictions
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2008 NFL draft needs for
the Kansas City Chiefs!
The Chiefs have to improve offensively and return to the scoring threat that
they once were. They played well enough defensively to beat Indianapolis in the
playoffs, but not scoring in double digits gave them no chance. They have two
major areas to address on the offensive side of the ball. General Manager Carl
Peterson and coach Harm Edwards will focus their draft around wide receivers and
the offensive line. Larry Johnson is one of the best running backs in the league
and the Chiefs will want to use him to his full potentials by opening lanes for
him to run through.
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The Chiefs don't have game-breaking wide receivers. While
tight end Tony Gonzalez can make the key third-down catch and stretch the
defense, the wide receivers can't be counted on to do the same. Eddie
Kennison is 34, while Samie Parker and Dante Hall will never be even average
receivers in this league. Hall is speedy and can make big plays in the
return game, but he can't take a hit. Parker is undersized and also doesn't
like going over the middle.
A receiver for the future will most likely be targeted in the draft. If
either USC's Dwayne Jarrett or Ted Ginn Jr. of Ohio State is still available
for the 23rd overall pick, it is very likely that Peterson will be left with
a smile on his face as he pulls the trigger. Jarrett is the more
accomplished of the two prospects, but Ginn has the kind of breakaway speed
the Chiefs have always lacked in that position.
Larry Johnson has the potential to be a 2,000-yard back one year, but has
yet to do so. There are several deficiencies on the offensive line for the
chiefs, particularly at tackle. Kevin Sampson began the year as the starter
at right tackle, but eventually joined the injured-reserve list. Kyle Turley
started the season at left tackle, but was too small and lacked durability.
Jordan Black was inconsistent at Guard and John Welbourn sat out a six-game
suspension after violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing
drugs. Right guard Will Shields will be 36 years old by the start of the
season. Look for multiple picks in the later rounds by the Chiefs to address
the long list of problems on the offensive line.
The Chiefs have very promising news at the defensive end positions with
Jared Allen and Tamba Hali as long-term fixtures in Kansas City. Allen had
7.5 sacks and forced three fumbles last year and stuffed the run better than
average. Hali had eight sacks as a rookie and is very athletic, he just has
to work on being able to fight off double teams. Defensive Tackles Ron
Edwards and James Reed have not performed at the level the Chiefs had
envisioned. Reed is too small and Edwards is barely an average player.
Drafting a defensive tackle like Tennessee's Justin Harrell or DeMarcus
Tyler of N.C. State on the first day would be a smart move for the Chiefs.
Their first priority has to be improving at the wideout position to help
Damon Huard be as efficient as possible in the passing game. Don't be
surprised if a wide receiver like Robert Meachem from Tennessee ends up on
the Chiefs' roster when the 2007 NFL Draft is over.
Updated April 27th, 2007
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