With each pick of the FanHouse mock draft, we get into the head of an NFL general manager and let you know who he'll pick and why.It's no secret that the Kansas City Chiefs are in desperate need of some offensive lineman, and although it won't be flashy, they have to draft accordingly. With Jake Long already off the board, Kansas City is really only left with one choice: draft offensive tackle Ryan Clady.
Although most draft experts consider Long to be the premier offensive tackle in this draft, there are a few that believe Clady is the cream of the crop. And while his Wonderlic score left a little to be desired, there is no questioning Clady's supreme athletic ability.
Whether or not he's actually more talented than Long is still up for debate, but at this point, it's irrelevant anyway. With the fifth pick in the draft, the Chiefs have to do whatever they can to get better. And by drafting a 6'6'', 309 pound tackle with light feet and impressive mobility for his size, they do exactly that.
Clady will have to improve as a run blocker in the NFL, especially on a team like the Chiefs, but that shouldn't be much of a concern for Kansas City. Clady has earned a reputation as an extremely hard-worker and under a player's coach like Herm Edwards, there is little doubt that he'll continue to do exactly that.
It may take a year or two, but Clady will eventually become a top-notch NFL offensive lineman. He appears to be one of the few "can't misses" in this year's NFL Draft.
The Skinny:
Team needs - OT, OG, C, WR, CB, K
Player Selected - Ryan Clady, OT, Boise St.
Also Considered - Branden Albert, OG, Virginia; Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Tennessee St.
Next Pick:
No. 6 - New York Jets
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-02-2008 @ 11:44AM
Chris said...
With offensive tackle being a deep position this year, I don't see the Chiefs reaching for one in the first round.
The Chiefs ended '07 ranked 28th in rush defense. USC DT Sedrick Ellis will probably garner a lot of thought here.
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4-02-2008 @ 5:32PM
JL said...
IMO, Long and Clady are not reaches and the glaring need is the O-line.
Chiefs Defense of 2007 is ranked like this... Run/28th, Passing/5th, Sacks/9th, Total yds/13th, Interceptions/23rd.
Offense ranking...Run/32nd, Passing/20th, Total Yds/31st, TD's/31st, Scoring/31st.
With those numbers, if they don't draft a Tackle in the 1st round, and a Guard or Center within the first 3 rounds, it will be a Huge mistake.
I'm hoping they draft a Tackle, Guard and CB in the first 3 rounds. Can't wait for Draft Day!!
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4-21-2008 @ 5:49AM
odendin said...
MIA will take Dorsey/Gholston, STL will take Jake, ATL will take Dorsery/Ryan, OAK will take Gholston/McFadden -- leaving Chris Long at 5. If KC trades Allen/MIN (17p,47p) then theyll take him (Chris) here and pick up Glady/Albert at 17 and maybe Pollack/Nicks at 47, with a CB/WR at their 35. Otherwise, they will trade down (NE talks 1st/3rd) to pick up Ellis at 7 and Porter with 3rd Rnd, or CAR (13p, 44p) if Ryan is still on the board and take Glady/Albert at 13, Kelly at 35 and Cason/King at 44.
Now if KC could trade Allen, but Chris/Jake was gone at 5, leaving Gholston/or/Ryan - and then made the NE/or/CAR trade, that would be awesome. It'd be like Christmas in Kansas City.
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