 | Mark Schremmer is a major contributor to KPREPS.com, a website dedicated to covering Kansas high school football. A Pittsburg native and Pittsburg State University graduate, he is assistant news editor at The Topeka Capital-Journal and has covered sports in Kansas since 2000. |
Sports
2012-06-01 08:42:43
Was the 2012 NFL Draft a success for the Kansas City Chiefs?
Q: How would you grade the 2012 draft class of the Kansas City Chiefs?
A: The Kansas City Chiefs had eight selections in the 2012 NFL Draft, but the final grade will ultimately depend on the development of first-round pick Dontari Poe.
Poe, a nose tackle out of Memphis who the Chiefs made the No. 11 overall pick, is a gamble. He is a classic Al Davis/Oakland Raiders-type pick as he wows onlookers in the gym with his impressive size, strength and speed numbers but has failed to translate those abilities on the field.
He is an imposing figure at nearly 6-4 and 350 pounds. Poe’s scouting combine numbers were among the best for defensive tackles as he led the group with 44 repetitions on the bench press. He also posted a sub-five-second 40-yard dash time despite his bulky build.
However, Poe’s results on the field are what create some concerns. Despite playing in a relatively weak Conference USA, Poe was only second-team all-conference with 33 tackles. While the production wasn’t terrible, he didn’t dominate in the way you would expect from the No. 11 pick overall. Scouts say Poe tends to stand up after initial contact and often struggles with blockers who are smaller and weaker.
It will be up to Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel and the rest of the Chiefs’ staff to harness Poe’s talent. Crennel is credited with helping develop Pro Bowl defensive linemen Vince Wilfork and Shaun Rogers when he was at New England and Cleveland. Crennel’s tenure will be judged by wins and losses, but he also will be evaluated for his ability to develop Poe into a star. There’s no doubt it will be a difficult challenge, but Crennel is probably more prepared to accomplish the task than any other coach.
The Chiefs selected offensive linemen Jeff Allen and Donald Stephenson in the second and third rounds, respectively. Allen, a tackle from Illinois, is projected to get a chance at guard for the Chiefs. He is lauded for his football intelligence and versatility. However, Allen’s toughness and fitness have been questioned. Stephenson, a tackle from Oklahoma, could be a long-term project at left tackle. He finished his prep career at Blue Springs High School and grew up a Chiefs fan. Stephenson is athletic, but he needs to improve his technique and be more physical.
In the fourth round, the Chiefs selected Fresno State wide receiver Devon Wylie. The 5-9, 187-pound receiver has been compared to Wes Welker and is projected to help out on special teams. Wylie will need to improve his route running and work on not being out muscled for the ball.
The Chiefs grabbed Alabama defensive back DeQuan Menzie, Texas A&M running back Cyrus Gray, San Diego State defensive lineman Jerome Long and Michigan wide receiver Junior Hemingway in the later rounds. Menzie could provide depth in the secondary, while Gray could pan out as a third-down back with his pass-catching ability. Long and Hemingway will fight to make the roster.
Chiefs draft grade: C.
While Poe was a bit of a reach at No. 11, this draft could turn into an A if Poe develops and some of the picks in the later rounds become key contributors.
