Nov 29, 2014; Manhattan, KS; Kansas State wide receiver Tyler Lockett (16) scores a touchdown against the Kansas Jayhawks at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Chiefs filled a need with the selection of cornerback Marcus Peters in the first round, and can now shift attention to other areas on the roster.
One area could be wide receiver, a position group that saw six prospects go off the board on Day One of the NFL Draft: Amari Cooper to the Raiders, Kevin White to the Bears, DeVante Parker to the Dolphins, Nelson Agholor to the Eagles, Breshad Perriman to the Ravens and Phillip Dorsett to the Colts.
But even with the top wide receivers off the board, that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of viable options available for the Chiefs.
“Actually we were just talking about that upstairs and I was looking at the list of receivers,” general manager John Dorsey said Thursday night following the conclusion of the first round. “I’m going ‘Hmm. There are some receivers still there.’”
Would Dorsey tell who the Chiefs are looking at?
“No,” Dorsey said with a grin. “Maybe tomorrow night.”
Of note, Ohio State’s Devin Smith, Kansas State’s Tyler Lockett, Oklahoma’s Dorial Green-Beckham, Arizona State’s Jaelen Strong, among others, are available entering the second round.
TRADE TALK
Dorsey revealed the Chiefs entertained trade offers prior to making the selection of Peters with the 18th overall pick.
“Actually, we had one call to move up and three calls about going down,” Dorsey said. “I find it fascinating at 18 there were – as we were on the clock – there were a lot of teams calling. I know what they were calling to get up to.”
The general manager, of course, didn’t reveal the specific nature of the inquiries.
With no deal in place, the Chiefs selected Peters, who appears an ideal fit for the team’s defensive scheme.
“He can be very physical in press,” Dorsey said. “He can instinctively turn and mirror routes with receivers. On run support, nice strong run support, sheds the receiver’s blocks. He’s a square tackler. I just like the way he plays the game of football.”
LOOMING BATTLES
The Chiefs will face the top-two wide receivers from the draft during the 2015 regular season.
The Raiders selected Amari Cooper out of Alabama with the fourth overall pick and play the Chiefs in Week 13 at Oakland and in Week 17 at Arrowhead Stadium.
The Bears selected Kevin White out of West Virginia with the seventh overall pick and play the Chiefs in Week 5 at Arrowhead Stadium.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs ranked second against the pass in 2014, allowing 203.2 yards through the air per game). The Chiefs also didn’t allow a 300-yard passer.
THE DRAFT CONTINUES
Day Two of the NFL Draft kicks off Friday with the second and third rounds at 6 p.m. CT.
Here is how the selections stand barring a trade:
|
Round |
Pick | Player |
Overall |
|
1 |
18 |
CB Marcus Peters |
|
|
2 |
17 |
49 |
|
|
3 |
16 |
80 |
|
|
3 |
34 |
98 * |
|
|
4 |
19 |
118 |
|
|
5 |
36 |
172 * |
|
|
5 |
37 |
173 * |
|
|
6 |
17 |
192 |
|
|
6 |
42 |
217 * |
|
|
7 |
16 |
223 |
* Compensatory
