2015 NFL Draft grades: Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs came into the 2015 NFL Draft with 10 picks and a few holes on the roster to fill. After two years on the job, general manager John Dorsey was looking to put some finishing touches on a team that is expected to compete for the AFC West title in 2015.
Kansas City desperately needed to add depth in the cornerback spot, along with wide receiver, center, inside linebacker and tight end. Dorsey was able to hit all of these positions, in some cases taking multiple players to hedge his bets and create competition.
Below is a list of all the Chiefs’ selections (they made nine after trading one to the Minnesota Vikings).
Round 1 – Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
Round 2 – Mitch Morse, C, Missouri
Round 3 – Chris Conley, WR, Georgia
Round 3 – Steven Nelson, CB, Oregon State
Round 4 – Ramik Wilson, ILB, Georgia
Round 5 – D.J. Alexander, ILB, Oregon State
Round 5 – James O’Shaughnessy, TE, Illinois State
Round 6 – Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DE, Southern Miss
Round 7 – Da’Ron Brown, WR, Southern Illinois
Peters is perhaps the most talented player to come into the draft, but had problems in college which forced him to slide to the 18th-overall pick in the first round. Peters was kicked off of Chris Peterson’s Washington team in November after multiple verbal clashes with the coaching staff. However, Peters is a perfect fit for Kansas City defensive coordinator Bob Sutton’s press-man coverage style.
In the second round, Morse will provide competition for the starting center job alongside third-year man Eric Kush. Morse can play all five positions on the offensive line, helping to fortify Kansas City’s front. Kush is slated to replace Rodney Hudson, who left via free agency for the Oakland Raiders.
Conley and Nelson were Dorsey’s third-round picks. Conley turned heads at the NFL Combine in his 6’2, 213-pound frame. The Georgia star was best in his position with a 40-yard dash time of 4.35 seconds, along with 18 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press, a 45-inch vertical jump and an 139-inch broad jump. Nelson comes in with the idea that he could fit as a slot corner and help immediately on special teams. Nelson is a physical corner who competes at the line, but doesn’t have ideal size at 5’10.
The following pair of picks were Wilson and Alexander, both inside linebackers who are complete opposites in style. Wilson is a thumper, a player who should have a role in the run game. Alexander isn’t as physical but is a speedster, able to drop into coverage and range from sideline to sideline. Both will compete for time with James-Michael Johnson and Josh Mauga.
Tight end James O’Shaughnessy could be a sleeper. The Illinois State tight end caught nine touchdowns last season at the small-school program, showing athleticism. O’Shaughnessy could fit into Reid’s love for two-tight end schemes along with star Travis Kelce.
The final two picks of Nunez-Roches and Brown are both going to fight for a roster spot, but could be on the outside looking in. Nunez-Roches will likely start on the practice squad with men like Dontari Poe, Mike DeVito, Allen Bailey and Jaye Howard sitting ahead of him. Brown has a shot to make the Week 1 roster, but will have his work cut out for him.
Grade: B
Overall, the Chiefs filled all their needs but might have reached on Morse, knocking the grade down a touch. Peters is a home-run, though, so Dorsey and Reid should be thrilled with that pick. Reid has a long history of working with players who are rough around the edges, so the concern should be minimal. Conley is also an intriguing prospect, and could see time right away.