Chiefs take research-heavy approach to NFL Draft preparation

While previewing the NFL Draft on Friday, general manager John Dorsey repeatedly said the Chiefs would be thorough in their yearly quest to find players.

That means, of course, doing their due diligence on players’ character and intangibles.

“I think that’s important,” Dorsey said. “I think all along, we as an organization have done a really nice job of saying ‘You know what,’ if you get guys that really like football and have a degree of character within their person, I think that goes a long way toward sustaining a high level of success.”

While finding players with high football character is crucial, the research process may reveal some of those players may have issues off the field. Dorsey, however, said that doesn’t necessarily eliminate possible draft choices — it just means more background work is needed.

“When you do your research, you vet every player that you bring in here and try to get the best assessment you can,” Dorsey said. “We’ve always taken that approach.”

Conventional football wisdom states it’s not a bad thing if a team has a few players who play with an edge or some attitude — as long as a team can manage that player on the field and he doesn’t cause problems off it.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid noted the background work on such players is crucial.

“You’ve got to see what the individual is, do your homework on him,” Reid said. “Then you make the evaluation. You’ve got to get what’s real and not real.”

But while Reid said last year’s team was not lacking in players with attitude, it could always upgrade.

“I thought we had enough edge last year and we’ve added to it,” Reid said. “We have guys who, again, like to play the game. They’ve played hard, they’ve played aggressive. I’ve grown to appreciate that. Are you always looking to upgrade and create competition? Absolutely.”

The Chiefs have, specifically, fostered competition in the middle of their offensive line by trading for veteran guard Ben Grubbs and signing guard Paul Fanaika. They also added Tyvon Branch, whose physicality and toughness from the safety position prior to two injury-marred seasons the last two years could only add to that quotient.

Like Reid, Dorsey is comfortable with the amount of chippy, competitive guys they’ve added to the roster, though he added you’re always looking for more.

“I like the energy that’s in the building this week,” Dorsey said. “You know (those players) are around, that’s for sure. The players that are here are truly professional, in terms of the new guys that we’ve added.

“I’ve got a chance to meet them and watch them interact with their peers and they’ve naturally gravitated toward their respective groups. I like the direction we’re headed as a team, and if we can put some more players within that puzzle through the draft, then that’s even more exciting.”

▪ Dorsey also said Friday that defensive end Mike Catapano is up to 295 pounds. Catapano missed all of last season because of a concussion and gastrointestinal virus.

This story was originally published April 24, 2015 at 8:26 PM with the headline "Chiefs take research-heavy approach to NFL Draft preparation."