A team is only as good as its quarterback in today’s NFL, but those quarterbacks must be taken care of or else a team finds itself starting a back-up or even a third-stringer. The Minnesota Vikings, Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs all rolled with at least two quarterbacks last season in significant playing time, so it stands to reason that all three will be very concerned about protecting the position. Enter the offensive tackles for the 2012 NFL Draft.
Ryan Van Bibber’s latest mock over at SB Nation has the Vikings, Dolphins and Chiefs taking the first three offensive tackles off the board before the first half of the first round is even finished. That shows just how valuable the position is. After the Vikes take Matt Kalil and the Dolphins grab Riley Reiff of Iowa, the Chiefs turn to Jonathan Martin:
Martin is another prospect who could earn way more attention after this week. Attention or not, he is a talented prospect that would upgrade the Chiefs offensive line. An improved front five would also help the team bluff its way through one more year of Matt Cassel at quarterback.
He’s likely going to end up on the right side as Branden Albert has the left side pretty much locked down. That could change if the Chiefs also land another veteran tackle of starting caliber in free agency. At that point, Albert could move inside. Either way, upgrading Barry Richardson’s former spot at right tackle will work wonders for the Chiefs offense in 2012.