KCCD Editor: Jinx Allessio
While analyzing the back end of the Chiefs draft class you can see a pattern of developing players who have clear roles like Nose Tackle, Full Back, Quarterback and Outside Linebacker. Yes, some of those players can contribute on special teams but those are positions that, well, you play that position and that’s it. The next set of members of that draft class may have defined roles due to their abilities and what they did in college and will have defined roles on this roster in 2012 and for years to come. Scott Pioli went away from scheme diverse players in the later rounds off this draft, selecting players with defined roles who can also contribute on special teams. The same trend occurred in the early rounds, players who have a short term/long term role with the Chiefs.
The University of Colorado has struggled for quite sometime in the Big 12, often finding themselves near the bottom of the rankings for the half dozen seasons. Going in to the 2011 draft the Buffalos had a few draftable players and donned one of the best cornerback duo’s in the country. Jimmy Smith was a highly regarded corner who possessed some of the best pure man coverage skills seen by a CB in the last few years. He gained most of the notoriety even though had several off the field transgressions. He was rarely tested his final year at CU and he counterpart was the victim(at times, eg. AJ Green). Jalil Brown was that other guy, often the player most teams threw at fearing the highly talented Smith.
As a prospect Jalil possessed some skills that scouts salivate for, ability to recover and fluid hips were two that I had listed as pros. He needs to strengthen his upper body so he can jam larger receivers off the line to become an RCB that I had him projected to become during the evaluation process. I was very high on him and thought he also performed quite well at the Senior Bowl.
Stuck behind Flowers and Carr, Brown’s rookie year was mainly used to get him adjusted to speed of the game. He adjusted well and ended up with the 2nd most special teams tackles in 2011. He was rarely used in defensive situations seeing only 31 snaps lined up at CB. The 2012 season will be a crucial for Jalil, but it’s crucial for every second year player. Jalil will need to step up during the few opportunities he may have. He is the only young player on the roster who is suited to play on the outside where as Javier Arenas and Dequan Menzie are solely slot CB’s. He will be one of the best special team players yet needs to do more. But will he get the chance? I loved the signing of Routt knowing their was zero chance of re-signing Carr. This gives the Chiefs a chance to evaluate Jalil and bring him along. He really has two years to show his worth and prove if he can be the guy opposite of of Flowers.
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Tags: 2011 NFL Draft, Allen Bailey, Jalil Brown, Rodney Hudson
