Here’s the second half of TheFootballEducator.com Guest Blogger Randy Schwimmer‘s take on the AFC West‘s performance in the 2012 NFL Draft. Schwimmer covered the Denver Broncos & San Diego Chargers in an earlier post.
Kansas City Chiefs:
2012 NFL Draft – Best Pick: Round 1 pick 11, Dontari Poe, NT, Memphis: Lots of people criticized the Chiefs for making this the 11th pick in the draft, but the Chiefs needed a nose tackle. Specifically, one that would be the foundation of their defense for the next decade. Poe looks to be that guy. When anyone analyzes a nose tackle, you cannot use stats to tell the story of the player. The nose tackle eats up blocks and allows the athletic linebackers to swarm the ball carrier, or the quarterback.
2012 NFL Draft - Worst Pick: Round 2 pick 44, Jeff Allen, G, Illinois: The Chiefs needed a home run with their second round pick. One strong suit for the Chiefs the past few seasons has been the offensive line. A not so obvious weakness is their safety position. Eric Berry is a young stud and could potentially become one of the best in the league, but who can mirror the productivity and fear that Berry brings to the team to fill the other safety position? Their corner situation is great and they have good depth with quality starters. Harrison Smith would have added the much needed support in the free safety department for the KC Chiefs, even if a move-up would have been needed.
Going through the Raiders picks were hard. This regime is coming into a mess. Al Davis, with all due respect, completely destroyed this team. From the head coach to the towel boy, this team was, and is, a complete disaster.
2012 NFL Draft - Best Pick: Round 5 Pick 168, Juron Criner, WR, Arizona: Criner flew under the radar throughout most of the draft. He has soft hands, and possesses good route running. I predict Criner will flourish under the arm of Carson Palmer. Note, Criner was Nick Folk‘s favorite target, and might just become Oakland’s favorite target… whoever the QB might be.
2012 NFL Draft - Worst Pick: Round 6 Pick 189, Christo Bilukidi, DT, Georgia State: With Forster still on the board and many other options for defensive line help, this pick is a head scratcher. It seems a little bit like Al had a strangle hold on McKenzie, and Reggie decided to please his boss from above.
Thank you for reading. Please feel free to share your thoughts and/or questions on this topic.
Follow me on Twitter: @randyschwimmer7
Another good dissection. The Broncos really should run away with this division.
Thank you again Ryan. With Peyton under center, and able to utilize the talents of Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, Joel Dreesen, Jacob Tamme, Jason Hill, and Brandon Stokley, I have a feeling the Broncos are going to be a FORCE to deal with this year. The division race will be tight with Denver and San Diego, as it always is. The Chargers just don’t have enough fire power now after losing VJAX. Look for the Broncos to go 12-4 en route to the AFC Championship.
I enjoyed this “part 2″ as well. I agree with a lot of what was written. Again,nice to see an amateur writer know his stuff.
I’m personally finding that the so called “amateurs” know as much as the experts, and more often do do their homework. Very nice piece Randy. Look forward to more…. This is the EXACT reason why The Football Educator has reached out to new opinions and perspectives.