The Kansas City Chiefs look to get faster and more aggressive through the draft.
Last season, the Kansas City Chiefs were an offside penalty away from a Super Bowl appearance. But with a porous defense against the run and defensive backs that were constantly out of position and not fast enough in man-to-man coverage, the defense was the weak spot in the team’s game.
The Chiefs intend to change that. This past Monday was the first time they have returned to Arrowhead Drive since that loss and from all those who spoke at the press conferences, the one thing in common was that there is one goal in mind. That is a Super Bowl Championship.
The Chiefs have work that’s been done but there is plenty more to come. The draft is but one week away and the Chiefs are making the last few days count.
At every position, they have a standard they want.
Defensive ends, 6-foot-4 and around 260 pounds.
Linebackers who can stop the run and blitz as needed.
Defensive backs that can “fly to the ball!”
They are going to do all they can to find that in the draft. Mock drafts from all over have players listed for the Chiefs in the first round from safety to a center, from Alabama to Central Michigan.
But those who know best are positioned inside the War Room of the Chiefs, and even with that, it all depends on how the cards fall with the picks first 28 selections.
A fast defense that plays smart and can stop the run will go a long way to making the Chiefs accomplish their goal. Most likely, the best player available will be the one selected. The Chiefs’ defense is a lot closer to being complete than most people believe. Bret Veach believes the guys already on the roster and the change to the 4-3 will make them much better.
Defense in the upper half of the NFL ranks and Patrick Mahomes under center can lead them there. Looking at the schedule released yesterday, the Chiefs can, should, and will repeat last year’s regular season by going 13-3. If that will be good enough for home field advantage throughout the playoffs waits to be seen.
One thing is certain, though: we all want to see Clark Hunt raise his father’s trophy at Arrowhead and hear the Kingdom erupt after all the years of waiting.
They need to get out the decibel meter for that because it will be deafening.