2014 NFL Draft: Kansas City Chiefs Draft Order, Final Mock Draft
By Ben Nielsen
Feb 20, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Zach Martin speaks to the media during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
FIRST ROUND (23): Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame
HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 308
BENCH: 29
Andy Reid loves offensive linemen who can be moved up and down the line. Martin fits the bill as a guy who could start at either right tackle or left guard on day one and fill the role very well. He has advanced technique compared to the other lineman who are expected to be available to the Chiefs, and has very good quickness and strength. His size suggests he is best to play at guard put he’s more than capable of playing either tackle position.
Drafting Marin means the Chiefs would probably move him to start at left guard. This would put two first round picks on the left side of Alex Smith to protect his blind side. Moving Martin to left guard means the Chiefs can flip Jeff Allen to the right side, which is an area that best suits him. Kansas City would be upgrading their offensive line at two spot with one draft pick in this scenario.
Ultimately, whatever the Chiefs can do to get deeper on the offensive line in this draft, the better. Aside from quarterback, Reid and Dorsey seem to believe games are won and lost at the line of scrimmage. The better the Chiefs can get at those areas, the better the Chiefs will be in 2014.