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NFL Draft 2015: Kansas City Chiefs should target inside linebacker

By Matt Verderame

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The Kansas City Chiefs began the 2015 NFL Draft by bolstering the defense. General manager John Dorsey decided to snag Washington Huskies corner Marcus Peters at 18th-overall, and now sees plenty of other high-profile prospects still available going into Day Two.

With Derrick Johnson coming off a torn Achilles and at 32 years old, along with a suspect Josh Mauga, getting an inside linebacker should be a priority. The Chiefs were lucky to see a litany of quality fall at that position, with Benardrick McKinney, Eric Kendricks, Denzel Perryman and Paul Dawson still available. In fact, only one inside linebacker, Stephone Anthony, was taken in the first round.

Sitting with the 49th overall pick, Kansas City has the opportunity to improve up the middle. Considering Dontari Poe is anchoring the front and Justin Houston and Tamba Hali are on the outside, bringing another playmaker in between the hashmarks would be a beautiful thing.

Another factor to consider is Johnson’s contract. After the 2015 season, Johnson is slated to hit free agency and is going to be 33 years old. At some point, regardless of Johnson’s production this year, the Chiefs have to accept the run might be over. Getting a quality replacement in line will make the transition much easier to deal with, especially on a team that is looking to compete at the highest level for the next handful of years.

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    • Personally, I will be hyperventilating if Kansas City lands Kendricks or Perryman in the second round. Kendricks is a tackling machine and has terrific sideline-to-sideline speed. He’s also able to drop back into coverage and wipe a tight end off the board. Perryman is the opposite type of player. He’s a thumper with good instincts who will get some sacks.

    Either way, I would be thrilled. What say you, Addicts? Who do you want in the second round?

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