Kansas City Chiefs 2010 NFL Draft Grade

KANSAS CITY

1.05 Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Berry is the best safety in this class, and he has that rare ability to effect the entire defense from center field. Some think he’s the best overall player from 2010, so getting him at fifth is great value. Yeah, he’s a safety, and they don’t have the best track record this high in the draft, but they needed one in a bad way, and if he becomes the next Ed Reed, as prophesized, then he’ll have been the right call. Hard not to like him here. GRADE: A

2.36 Dexter McCluster, RB, Ole Miss
McCluster is an amazing weapon, and one of my favorite players in the draft, who can form a deadly backfield with Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones or line up in the slot. Todd Haley wanted to get sure-handed pass catchers in Kansas City, and Dex can play some receiver. Philadelphia would’ve taken him next, so they had to pull the trigger. GRADE: A

2.50 Javier Arenas, CB, Alabama
Javier Arenas is largely underrated, with return skills to burn. That’s an area that needed a shot in the arm. His coverage skills have gone unnoticed after failing to break 4.5 or 5′10″, but that’s a mistake. I think he can be a nickel early on because of his football IQ and work ethic. GRADE: B

3.68 Jon Asamoah, OG, Illinois
If they really think that Branden Albert improved enough to be trusted with their investment at QB, then getting him some help up front in one of the top rated guards was a fine move. They needed to address the O line at some point, and this is a guy who could start early enough. GRADE: B

3.93 Tony Moeaki, TE, Iowa
Tony Moeaki was one of my sleepers. He’ll fill a hole at tight end and give Cassel another reliable target. He’s a solid in-line blocker who really seems to find the holes in a defense and can catch fire before anyone notices he’s on the field (see Bowl, Orange). GRADE: B+

3ROUND GRADE: A

5.136 Kendrick Lewis, S, Ole Miss
Another safety spot addressed. Lewis is a guy that didn’t get any press this offseason, but he’s really an aware player with good ball skills and smarts. He could be a real surprise from this class, and he’ll get a chance to win a role early. GRADE: C

5.142 Cameron Sheffield, OLB, Troy
The Chiefs really needed to find a pass rusher opposite Tamba Hali, and they might have found an underrated gem in Sheffield. He ran a very poor 40, but has some intriguing pass rushing skills that might earn him some playing time. GRADE: C-

Best Pick: Eric Berry
Worst Pick: Cameron Sheffield
Sleeper Pick: Tony Moeaki

FINAL ANALYSIS
The Chiefs didn’t have many picks in this draft, and they did a pretty good job of just drafting the best player available with each of their picks. Sure, an offensive tackle would have filled a need at fifth overall, but they honestly think Branden Albert can play left tackle. If they’re right, Berry will be an excellent addition to this defense. And they need electrifying playmakers all over, so Dexter McCluster makes sense. Todd Haley was pretty open about believing there was a serious need for better pass catchers, so Tony Moeaki makes a lot of sense, and I really think he could surprise.

Of course, Haley also said that he believes Glenn Dorsey can be an effective 5-tech, and that might be why they ignored the defensive line with every pick. I was really surprised that they never went after Cam Thomas, who fell to the fourth, especially with five picks on the first two days. Asamoah was a good pickup, but they really seemed like a team that would have prioritized the O line. Instead, they used only one selection there. It’s hard to argue with the need-filling nabs of Lewis and Sheffield and Arenas, but outside of Javier, neither player is special. They’ll be solid at their peak, and practice squad bound at their worst.

A lot of people will call this an A+ class, but that’s based pretty largely on a safety taken in the top five. History ain’t on their side. I don’t think the dynamic abilities of McCluster and Arenas, and the value of Moeaki can’t be ignored, but I wonder how far this defense can go without a nose to run the point. There were options at that spot throughout the first two days.

FINAL GRADE: B

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