Kansas City Chiefs 2014 NFL Draft: The Players, The Picks, the Fit
By Ben Natan
Dee Ford, OLB, Auburn
6’2″, 252 LBs.
The Player
Ford was a productive speed rusher in college who has great snap anticipation, short area quickness and a relentless motor. However, he is a bit of a one trick pony and has significant strength issues, allowing himself to get washed out in the run game on a consistent basis.
The Pick
This pick is a bit of a headscratcher. To be fair, the Chiefs were in desperate need of a pass rush at times last year when Justin Houston went down and a team can never have too many pass rushers. That being said there were plenty of other guys like Demarcus Lawrence and Jeremiah Attoachu who could have been the pick. Also, there is a significant need at safety that could have been filled by Jimmie Ward at this point. I agree that having depth at pass rusher is important, but not only did the Chiefs take a luxury pick when they really shouldn’t have, they didn’t take the best guy.
The Fit
Ford probably comes into camp as the third or fourth outside linebacker on the depth chart and will likely see most of his snaps on passing downs and let him do what he does best. Hopefully he can develop better playing strength and make an expensive Tamba Hali cuttable down the line.
Phillip Gaines, CB, Rice
6′, 193 lbs.
The Player
Gaines is a good pure cover corner, but I really dislike his lack of phsyciallity. If he can use his hands better at the line of scrimmage and become a better tackler, he can become one hell of a well rounded corner.
The Pick
I think the Chiefs may have gotten a steal with Gaines this late.
The Fit
With the Chiefs’ mediocre talent at corner, I expect Gaines to push for a starting job in training camp.
De’Anthony Thomas, RB, Oregon
5’9″, 174 lbs.
The Player
Thomas has great straight line speed and acceleration and is a hard runner for a guy his size. However, he is still tiny and he is more of a guy your force touches to instead of he creating his own.
The Pick
Thought this was a reach, but speed…
The Fit
Thomas will likely get a few carries a game but will see more action as a receiver and could be a very productive special teams player.
Aaron Murray, QB, UGA
6’1″, 207 lbs.
The Player
He has some size, strength and injury concerns, but Murray is a hell of a player. He is tough, climbs the pocket really nicely, has a very accurate arm and he makes good decisions.
The Pick
I really like murray and think the Chiefs got a good football player.
The Fit
With Alex Smith’s contract looming, Murray could start down the road. He is perfect for Andy Reid’s offense and I think he could be good in it.
Zach Fulton, OG, Tennessee
6’5″, 316 lbs.
The Player
Fulton is just a big body. Not much there athletically or technically.
The Pick
This is basically a throw away pick.
The Fit
Andy Reid loves big line men, but I don’t think Fulton sticks around.
Lauren Duvernay Tardif, OT, McGill
6’5″, 321 lbs.
The Player
Tardif is incredibly raw, but he has incredible upside all over the place. He is also an incredibly smart player who is close to becoming a doctor.
The Pick
Andy Reid loves linemen and Tardif is a raw guy Reid could try to mold. Good pick.
The Fit
Not a player Reid would start right away, but a guy who can be molded into a very good player.