April 3 . Adam Teicher article. Needs.

[Chiefswinitall 60]

..http://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/273043/heres-where-chiefs-need-and-dont-need-help-from-the-draft

 

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Here's where Chiefs need -- and don't need -- help from the draft

Apr 3, 2018

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  Adam TeicherESPN Staff Writer

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The Kansas City Chiefs have eight picks in the upcoming draft, and they need to make every one count after an offseason in which they lost six starters plus some other key players.

But each of those eight picks will count differently, depending on the position. The Chiefs look fully stocked at some spots where a rookie might have to be a high pick or outperform his draft round to make the roster. At other positions, the Chiefs can use bodies to at least fill out the depth chart.

Here’s a look at which positions make the most sense for the Chiefs to draft and which ones don’t:

Cornerback: Six corners played a significant number of snaps last season, but only one -- Steven Nelson -- is back. The Chiefs traded for Kendall Fuller and signed David Amerson but still don’t have the depth they would prefer, so it’ll be an upset if they don’t draft at least one corner.

Safety: The Chiefs are in a similar situation here. Daniel Sorensen and Eric Murray are back, and Eric Berry will return after missing most of last season. But the Chiefs released Ron Parker, so they need help at safety, as well.

The Chiefs should be concerned that they don't have much in the way of receiving options at tight end beyond Travis Kelce. Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Defensive line: The Chiefs don’t need a lot of players at these positions because they are so often in their sub packages. The starting lineup of Chris Jones, Allen Bailey and Xavier Williams seems set. But the Chiefs don’t have much proven depth, and Williams has been a backup for most of his career, so adding a capable player into the rotation would be a good idea. Also, Bailey’s contract will be up after next season, and it’s not too early to think about drafting his eventual replacement.

Tight end: The Chiefs don’t have much in the way of receiving options at tight end beyond Travis Kelce. That should be of concern given the way their offense collapsed in the second half of last season’s playoff game without the injured Kelce. The Chiefs seem concerned because they recently discussed a contract with veteran Benjamin Watson before he signed with the Saints.

2018 NFL DRAFTWhen: April 26-28

Where: Arlington, Texas
NFL draft coverage » | Full order: 1-256 »

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• Kiper's Big Board » | McShay's Top 32 »
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•Kiper: Re-grading 2017 NFL draft »

Linebacker: On the outside, Justin Houston is still an effective player, but he’s 29. Dee Ford is headed into the final season of his contract. The Chiefs have last year’s second-round draft pick, Tanoh Kpassagnon, and whether or not they draft a linebacker in an early round could be a reflection on what they think of his chances for developing into a productive player. In the past year, the Chiefs turned over their inside linebackers by trading for Reggie Ragland, signing free agent Anthony Hitchens and drafting Ukeme Eligwe.

Offensive line: Eight of the nine linemen who played at least one snap for the Chiefs last season are back, so there isn’t a lot of room for new roster additions here. If the Chiefs need help anywhere, it’s at the interior positions. One guard, Parker Ehinger, played little last season after injuring his knee in 2016. Starting center Mitch Morse’s contract is up after next season. Remember that the Chiefs invested a 2018 fifth-round pick in a lineman last year when they traded for Cam Erving.

Wide receiver: In Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins, Chris Conley and Demarcus Robinson, the Chiefs appear to have their top four receivers. So they shouldn’t invest heavily here unless it’s with a player, or players, they really like.

Quarterback: Last week’s signing of third-stringer Matt McGloin greatly alleviates the need for the Chiefs to draft a quarterback. They want to go into training camp with four QBs, though, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if they picked one in a later round.

Running back: The Chiefs appear to be concerned about whether Spencer Ware, who injured his knee last year in the preseason, will be back in time to start the season. But that’s why they signed another big back in Damien Williams. Counting Kareem Hunt Charcandrick West and Akeem Hunt, the Chiefs are otherwise set.

 

 

[Fmbl2187 2,279]

I am not so sure that our TE position is that desperate, even if Kelce goes out with another concussion.  For a couple of years, i have despised the fact that we have kept Demetrius Harris. He is a drop machine.  But looking at it more closely, all of his drops come when he gets great separation or curls,  and then is expected to stop and wait for the ball, and then tries to receive it as it comes into his body.  When he has to stretch for it and catch it in his hands, his drops become rare.  This is not surprising also, because he was a basketball player and is used to catching a much bigger ball and holds his hands too wide apart.  But his ability to muscle guys away gives him quite an advantage.  Although I could be crazy, I am wondering if Mahomes won't lead him more instead of throwing straight to his body. Harris is really good when stretching his arms out for a pass away from his body.  Just a thought.  One thing is certain - he is a hell of an athlete.

[Adamixoye 604]

^I've thought the same thing about Harris, I don't know if the stats bear it out, but never have I seen a player with such stone hands if he has time to think about it, but velcro if it's a tough catch.

[the Warparty 69]

Don't want to get rid of Harris, but he really needs to be our THIRD te

[sith13 1,746]

We could use a veteran TE IMO. It's a need but we won't be drafting high enough to find a solid guy right away so the rookie could be better suited to play the #3 role with a veteran rotating with Kelce. 

 

I like Harris as an athlete and he has good fundamentals but those hands are just terrible. TEs are supposed to be sure hands as they can already get separation due to sheer size advantage but as long as the guy cannot catch there's no point in keeping the guy. 

[kkuenn 3,607]

Gesicki, PSU, in rounds 3 or 4. Fumagali in rounds 5 or 6 from Wisconsin. Good size, speed, routes and they both seemed to high point the ball Should I means good red zone and mismatches.

[liquidfriend 1,151]

Gesicki is going Round 2 I think and don't like Fumagali.  Very limited athletically and really didn't have a good finish to his career at Wis and Senior Bowl.

 

He's one of those guys destined to be that guy people are arm waving about as he slides down the board in Day 3.  Would rather gamble with someone that has a bigger ceiling.

[kkuenn 3,607]

Gesicki is going Round 2 I think and don't like Fumagali. Very limited athletically and really didn't have a good finish to his career at Wis and Senior Bowl.

 

He's one of those guys destined to be that guy people are arm waving about as he slides down the board in Day 3. Would rather gamble with someone that has a bigger ceiling.

This is what Walter site said.... I think they slip a bit and Fumagali slipped do to the spreasding of the ball by Wisconsin. They got better and did not have to rely on him as much but he still is a good threat plus knows how to block.