There aren't a lot of guys that haven't been linked to the Kansas City Chiefs at the No. 11 pick at this point in the process leading up to the NFL draft. I mean, we've been talking about the draft for the last couple of months and we're still a month away. One of the names though that has been brought up before for the Chiefs is starting to make more and more sense as we get closer. That player is LSU defensive lineman Michael Brockers.
It might not be the biggest need for the Chiefs right now, considering nose tackle, inside linebacker and interior offensive line depth are pieces of the puzzle that still need to be addressed. But Scott Pioli has shown a habit over the years as investing heavily on the defensive line and you can never have too much elite talent at that position.
Bring on as much beef as possible, as far as I'm concerned.
The National Football Post has Brockers listed at No. 5 on their big board. They had some pretty positive things to say about him that translate well to the NFL game. Via National Football Post:
Plays the run game about as well as any 6-6 prospect I have seen inside. Is able to keep his pad level down, gain leverage and sit into his stance. Showcases the ability to anchor vs. the double team as well, despite his size and is a bear to move off the football.
He's an instinctive kid who finds the football. That tells me he puts in the work, has a passion for the game and will continue to get better.
If Brockers already has the ability at 6'6" to come in and play well against the run in the Chiefs base 3/4 defense, then he's basically what we have right now in Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson. Both of those guys also come from LSU and took a year or two to develop into the run-stuffers that they are right now.
Many people would argue that the Chiefs don't need to take another DE as high as No. 11 because it's immediately drafting for depth and not as a starter. Many of those people are looking towards Stanford guard David DeCastro. While DeCastro could most likely come in and play right away as a rookie, there just isn't any way of knowing how far the gap is between DeCastro and the next guard that could be available in the second round in Pioli's eyes. At least when you compare to the next DE that would be available.
When speaking philosophical on the importance of 3/4 DE's and offensive guards, it's always going to side on the defensive line. It seems like a place that Pioli believes in surrounding with top talent and it wouldn't surprise anyone if he went that route again with Brockers. Many would question the pick, but Pioli has had a pretty good track record thus far in Kansas City and we'd be wise to let it play out before we rush to judgement, no matter who the pick becomes.