Summarizing
and grading the Chiefs' draft
4/21/2002
by CK Rairden
Landmark columnist
Summarizing—and grading—the Chiefs' draft:
The Picks:
1-6 overall (From Dallas) Sims, Ryan DT 6-4 311
North Carolina
2-43 overall Freeman, Eddie DT 6-5 310 Alabama-Birmingham
4-107 overall Easy, Omar RB 6-1 244 Penn State
5-143 overall Fujita, Scott OLB 6-5 248 California
7-221overall Rodriguez, Maurice OLB 6-1 239 Fresno
State
Dick Vermeil put it very well, “I am not a guy that
gets all fired up about this is the greatest draft and
this is the greatest first round pick we’ve ever
had in our lives, and you can’t wait until you see
him on the field. Hey, only time will tell.”
Indeed.
But it’s time to take a look at just what the Chiefs
accomplished with this attempt at player acquisitions
to aid a team that finished a disappointing 6-10 in 2001.
Day One Evaluation:
KC got the defensive tackle they coveted in Ryan Sims.
I had him rated as the best defensive lineman in the draft
(yes ahead of Julius Peppers). But all of this came at
a price. The Chiefs made a late trade with Dallas to move
up from the number eight spot to number six.
It cost the team their third round pick and made for
a very short first day.
Sims can make an immediate impact. He should be a starter
against Cleveland in game one. He has few weaknesses and
can provide a much-needed potential superstar in the middle
of the defensive line. He is the best choice the Chiefs
could have made once QB Joey Harrington went to Detroit.
A big time selection.
With the number two pick KC went after another defensive
lineman Eddie Freeman. Freeman played inside at
Alabama-Birmingham but the Chiefs may have the idea to
shift him to defensive end. He was a four-year starter
and could be a great pick. Athletic, strong and able to
provide a pass rush. This guy finds the ball and pursues.
Day One Grade: A-
******
Day Two Evaluation:
Only three selections left for the Chiefs as their sixth
round selection was traded away last season for project
QB Joe Germaine.
In round four KC took a RB/FB out of Penn State named
Omar Easy. He is big and fast and the Chiefs see
him as a backup and insurance policy for FB Tony Richardson.
No way to understand this pick without being inside the
Chiefs war room. A big reach.
Round five was a nice selection. Scott Fujita
is a LB that played at Tony Gonzalez’ alma mater,
Cal. He could be the sleeper of the draft for the Chiefs.
He’s a hard worker and intelligent and will need
to be signed early. If he does, he may make an impact
this season. Great selection.
Round seven saw another LB selected, Maurice Rodriguez.
This is a stretch. He likely would have fallen off the
board and could have been picked up as an undrafted free
agent.
Day Two Grade: C-
******
The Chiefs defense was a need. They made a conscious
attempt to fill that void with nearly every selection
in the draft.
Three of these guys may actually contribute this year.
As Vermeil stated, “Only time will tell.”
2002 Draft Grade: B-
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