Mock Draft: Terez A. Paylor, KC Star Release First Mock

Feb 23, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; USC Trojans wide receiver

participates in a pass catching drill during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Tomorrow marks the one month date on the countdown clock until the Houston Texans are required to turn in their card for the first overall pick. Time is flying, folks.

To help get us in the draft mood, Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star released his first mock draft a month ahead of the NFL Draft. Paylor’s pick is not too surprising, but there is a nugget in there worth reading into.

With the 23rd pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Paylor believe the Chiefs will select Marqise Lee, a wide receiver from USC. Here’s what he wrote about the pick.

"Yes, Lee has durability concerns, and yes, Chiefs coach Andy Reid and general manager John Dorsey may prefer to spend their first-round pick on another position. But after striking out on Emmanuel Sanders — and with the top tight end (Ebron), interior offensive lineman (Martin) and safeties (Clinton-Dix and Pryor) all off the board — they might be hard-pressed to pass on Lee, an explosive talent whose production and experience in a West Coast offense makes him a strong fit in Kansas City."

Did you catch that?

“Chiefs coach Andy Reid and general manager John Dorsey may prefer to spend their first-round pick on another position.”

This is a curious thing to write given Paylor’s connection to the team. This isn’t to say Paylor thinks wide receiver is not an option as he just selected one for the Chiefs in his mock draft, but it does speak to the vibe around One Arrowhead Drive. It would seem to suggest the Chiefs are not as locked into selecting a wide receiver as other mock drafts would suggest.

Of course, that’s reading into one half of one sentence in one mock draft. Make of this what you will.