The Kansas City Chiefs have some major decisions ahead of them in the 2012 NFL Draft's first round. They need some linebacking help as well as some additions at offensive tackle. They could also head toward a quarterback prospect. That's what Walter Football's Charlie Campbell believes the Chiefs will head that direction when they select Oklahoma's Landry Jones. He writes:
A new coach in Kansas City could easily lead to a new signal caller. Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel will turn 30 just after the 2012 NFL Draft. They could groom the new quarterback for a year or two behind him.
There is no doubt that Jones is fortunate to go this high considering his late-season fade, but the demand for quarterbacks will help him to get drafted higher. Jones has the size (6-4, 229) and arm that NFL teams look for. He had another big season throwing to wide outs Ryan Broyles, Kenny Stills and Jaz Reynolds. Broyles is out for the year, and that hurt the Oklahoma signal caller in the final few games. Jones destroyed Texas and Kansas State this season, but had bad games against Baylor and Oklahoma State. For 2011, the junior has completed 63 percent of his passes for 4,302 yards with 28 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Jones is behind the three other top quarterbacks in part because they definitely have the 'it' factor to raise the play of those those around them. The losses against the Bears and the Cowboys bring into question whether or not Jones possesses the 'it' factor to push his team to a win. He started 10 games as a freshman and 14 games in 2010. Jones made big strides as a sophomore, completing 65 percent of his passes for 4,718 yards with 38 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.