With the 23rd Pick in the 2007 BP Mock Draft ...
the KC Chiefs Choose CB Leon Hall out of Michigan.
How did we arrive at this point?
Intriguing position for the Chiefs. If any of you heard Herm being interviewed in the stands during the combines one thing was clear - KC has needs across the board. When asked what they were looking Herm responded, "Good players," which position-free answer makes sense when you consider the following needs.
Defensive Line (Primarily Tackle as long as we can ink Jared Allen to a deal) - Our defensive line had less penetration than a sex-education film last year. Ryan Sims continues to disappoint at the tackle spot, a replacement at this point in the draft would be a huge piece of the puzzle. The top 2 choices, and solid 1st rounders, have been taken off the board in the form of Alan Branch and Okoye. Pitcock, Harrell and Tyler remain available. Pitcock's stock took a hit in the eyes of some scouts, but there is no doubting his versatility. Harrell and Tyler are good players all right, but do they merit 1st round money? We are betting one or more of those three is still available in round 2. Probably our most striking need, but the most striking players to fill that need in round one are already headed elsewhere.
Offensive Tackle - age and performance concerns demanded action to shore up the front line. In fact KC could ideally add two or more players along the Offensive line. One was added yesterday by signing Damion McIntosh, now entering his 8th year. He will shore up the left tackle position. Added help at any the right tackle or either guard spot would be a good choice. Both bona fide 1st rounders Thomas and Brown are off the board. The leavings have some quality, with Staley, Sears and Ugoh still available. Of these we were most disappointed by Staley's decision to not work out at the combine. For Sears and Ugoh it is that whole question of 1st round money once again. We look for them to still be there in round 2.
Wide receiver - This was a glaring need last year. Intriguing prospects still on the board that could help give a legit #1 target include Dwayne Bowe and Sidney Rice, the all-around performance put in by Ohio State's Anthony Gonzalez raised his profile on our board. (Though he may be more of a possession receiver than a #1 target in our offense and he and other good wideouts may still be there in round 2).
Cornerback - we have two good players in the form of Law and Surtain, though both are really getting up there in age. We are also considering this route as the top CB talent went quickly (and expensively this year) in the FA market. Though intriguing speedy prospect Chris Houston went to the Bengals that still leaves the class headed by the surprisingly fast (sub 4.4 40) Leon Hall. The thought of a veteran Wolverine (Law) pushing a rookie (Hall) in fall practice does amuse some round here. Still, you don't take a 1st rounder just for shits and giggles. Another option is Darrelle Revis out of Pitt, though he did not show the speed of Hall in the 40 yard dash (4.50) and is a tad unpolished as a junior prospect.
Of the positions of need we feel the top players available meriting 1st round money are Hall or Revis at CB, and at WR Dwayne Bowe or Rice. Both WRs remain on board more so, in our view, because of less than stellar though solid 40-yd time in Indianapolis (4.51, 4.53) than for any other reason.
The board rankings by our scouts of the wideouts fall a little short of where we place the available CB talent. Of the top two we favor bringing Hall into the Chief's fold. His 40 time shows that some of the negative talk about speed has more to do with refinement of his technique than getting Leon a set of hot wheels. We look for veterans Law and Surtain to help Hall improve his technique so that Leon can make the best use of his physical talents.