Kansas City Chiefs: A Closer Look At 3 1st-Round Targets
1. Brandon Scherff – OT – Iowa
Jan 2, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; IIowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Brandon Scherff (68) before the start of their game against theTennessee Volunteers in the 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports
Brandon Scherff is probably the least likely of these three to be available if KC stays put in its current draft slot. Many draft sites and experts have Scherff as a top-10 prospect. Scherff is my favorite offensive lineman in this draft (whom I have seen thus far), but I considered taking him off this list based on availability. However, I left him on for one reason: Many experts doubt Scherff’s ability to play left tackle at the professional level.
Scherff is more of a physical mauler, and their is concern that he may not be able to keep up with NFL speed rushers well enough to protect the QB’s blind side. Since top-10 picks are typically reserved for guys whom teams want as their long-term left tackle, that could allow Scherff to slide far enough for KC to trade up for him without having to mortgage its entire slate of draft picks.
I think Scherff could make an excellent RT, and even if his edge protection were to be an issue, I feel confident that the worst-case scenario would be that he becomes a Pro Bowl-caliber guard. In fact, I would LOVE it if KC signed a reliable veteran RT in free agency AND traded up to get Scherff, putting him at LG as a rookie.
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While trading up for a guard may sound silly to some, ask the Dallas Cowboys if they regret spending a mid-first-round pick on Zach Martin last year. KC needs someone to hold the interior of the pocket in place so that Alex Smith can step up and make throws. It would also be nice to have a power guard whom they could confidently run behind on 3rd-and-short.
Regardless, I am not interested in spending a first-round pick on an offensive lineman who lacks the strength, power, and toughness to play in the NFL as a rookie. I don’t need some athletic offensive tackle with great agility and foot speed that simply gets manhandled at the point of attack.
That is why you won’t see guys like Andrus Peat on my wish list.While he may have the upside to be the best LT in this draft class, I don’t see the strength for him to be an effective run-blocking RT, and he certainly doesn’t look like he could bounce inside to guard if needed.
I’m tired of KC being pushed around at the line of scrimmage on offense. I want a lineman that’s going to be a physical presence, like Dontari Poe is on the defense. While there may not be a player of Poe’s freakish nature available, I believe Scherff is the most physically imposing lineman in this class.
So what do you think, Addicts? Do you like these three picks for KC? Are there other players that you like more? Would you be fine with KC dealing some additional picks in order to move up and ensure themselves a starter at one of these key positions? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
As always, thanks for reading and GO CHIEFS!!!!!!
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