Top 50 Picks

Realizing how badly the Dick Vermeil years really screwed up our program, it is now obvious that we are playing catchup. The team gave away top 50 picks almost every year for "has been's," "never were's," and let's not forget for Vermeil himself. We had some good years, but the team was managed with a short term outlook in mind.

Now we find ourselves in a new era. One where we must play catch up for all of the top 50 picks we lost in the Vermeil years. Last year we had three: Dorsey, Albert, and Flowers. Three excellent fixtures for the future. Looking at the other Top 50 picks still on our team from before that, and the list is pretty slim. We have DJ, Hali, LJ, Bowe, and after that you have to fall all the way down to Tony Gonzalez. Great teams have great high-end talent. The Chiefs have not done a good enough job at getting 2-3 picks in that Top 50 every single season.

If you have 10 year pro's at every one of those picks, and you get two picks in the Top 50 every year, that means you will end up with 20 players in the Top 50. Assuming those are all starters, you have filled 20 of 22 starters of every roster with Top 50 talent.

The Chiefs are short on talent, as you can see above we only have eight, and that counts the three from last year. Of the picks I stated above, Vermeil netted two of those eight in five years. Herm Edwards netted five in three years. Vermeil should have netted 9-11 and Herm 5-7. Now we see why we are behind, yes?

This season, Pioli has only one (#3 overall) after trading for Matt Cassel. For this draft to be a success, it is necessary to convert that #3 pick into two picks in the Top 50 this year and add another one close to the Top 50 next season. If we can package Tony Gonzalez and make it three this year and another next year, then that is great.

We have added a good QB to move forward with in Matt Cassell, and a few great hole fillers with intangibles in Mike Vrabel, Zach Thomas, and Bobby Engram. Now we need young, hungry Top 50 talent. I believe Pioli sees the value in this, and I think it is in our best interest to make it happen. Either Denver or Philadelphia could make this happen. Philadelphia has shown interest by interviewing Top 5 offensive tackles in the past couple of weeks. Adding Tony Gonzalez to their receiving corps could give them a legitimate run at the NFC east title this season which would satisfy the fans, Tony Gonzalez, and Donovan McNabb. The Chiefs could get both first round picks and their second rounder for Tony G.

If not, Denver really wants Matt Sanchez, and they are drafting 12 and 18. He won't be there at 12. I wouldn't trade Tony G within the division, but I'd swap picks within it.

We have options, and we're desperate for young high-end talent. I believe Pioli sees this, and all the mocks will be wrong when the Chiefs have dropped below #3 and Curry or Monroe won't be an option. Anyone who thinks that the Chiefs should spend their ONLY Top 50 picks on an ILB (Curry) is insane.

I don't believe Pioli is insane, and I believe he is making the same observations that I am. I'm excited about this draft and management that I trust to make this decision the right way (unlike Vermeil and Carl).