Chiefs' Peterson Plays Down Link Between Possible J. Allen Trade, Plans for Fifth Pick
The Kansas City Chiefs have the fifth overall choice in the NFL draft Saturday and could add another first-round pick if they trade defensive end Jared Allen, the league's leader in sacks last season.
The Minnesota Vikings, who have the 17th overall selection, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have the 20th choice, reportedly are interested in Allen, who was given the Chiefs' franchise player tag in February.
The Chiefs perhaps could trade Allen and replace him by using the No. 5 choice on Ohio State's Vernon Gholston or Virginia's Chris Long if either of those highly regarded defensive ends remains available Saturday. But in a telephone conversation Monday evening, Chiefs President Carl Peterson played down any link between a possible trade of Allen and the club's plans for its early selection.
"I wouldn't think that would change anything with the fifth pick," Peterson said.
Some draft speculation has linked the Chiefs to Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan. Peterson heaped praise on Ryan.
"We went to his workout, and I was very impressed," Peterson said. "He's a talented young man. He's got great measurables, and he's got the intangibles. He's going to do very, very well in this league. I know a lot of quarterbacks taken with high first-round picks haven't been successful, but usually that's a guy going to a team that has a problem with its offensive line."
But Peterson said he believes there's a strong chance that Ryan will go to the Atlanta Falcons on the third overall choice.
"He's the best quarterback in the draft," Peterson said. "Is he worthy of that type of pick? It's those types of questions that we're all looking at."
Peterson said it's a unique draft because of all the speculation about what teams will do, beginning with the Miami Dolphins and the top pick. But he said he's not expecting any club below the Chiefs in the draft order to trade for one of the top four choices.
"History tells us it won't happen," Peterson said. "It's cost prohibitive for those teams that might want to move up, not only in terms of cash but also in what you have to give up. I don't think it's the way the system was intended, but it's the way it is. We're paying and guaranteeing these players a great deal of money, and nobody really wants to be drafting in the top 10. You have a chance to get a heck of a player if you're right. But if you're wrong, it's costing you a great deal."
By Mark Maske |
April 22, 2008; 10:34 AM ET
| Category:
Chiefs
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Posted by: Jimmis | April 22, 2008 12:31 PM
yea? well I bet he knows how to spell 'Peterson'!
Posted by: CurtMerzFan | April 22, 2008 12:56 PM
As a die hard Jet fan. I'm so sorry that you guys ended up with the tandem of Peterson/ Edwards. Good luck with this draft! I'm sure they'll blow it!
Posted by: Mike | April 22, 2008 1:55 PM
kc needs an offensive line. They have done squat to address this in the last three years as we have seen our once great o-line retire and be traded off. If we draft Ryan he will spend every down running for his life. Use the first and second round picks on o-line third round on a corner & do what it takes to keep Allen.
Posted by: justin*kcfan | April 22, 2008 2:27 PM
Can we trade King Carl or Herm Edwards? They are AWFUL. The Jets are still trying to recover from Herm's stupidity and Carl uses Clark Hunt as his puppet. Move to the new stadium in L.A. and let the K.C fans have a team come to this city who is half-way smart and want to win instead of just filling the seats; BTW wich won't happen this year.
Posted by: Chief | April 22, 2008 2:41 PM
Allen at least walks the walk before he talks. Peterson gives you four bucketloads of arrogance, unsupported by anything other than mediocrity. We're not renewing our season tickets - giving them up after almost twenty years. We're done with the Chiefs until they're done with Carl.
Posted by: Gyrfalcon | April 22, 2008 3:37 PM
Carl Peterson is the worst GM in all of sports. All he cares about is making money for himself and the suits. The Chiefs haven't done anything in the post-season since he has been there. He has drafted terrible and wont go out and get any good free agents. He is arrogant and retarded. Until he is gone, KC won't be a contender!
Posted by: Petersonisterrible | April 22, 2008 4:30 PM
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Pederson's an idiot!