Everyone Else is Talking About the Draft...

Everyone else seems to be putting up draft predictions, so I decided I'd jump on the bandwagon.

Here's the guys I think we should target in the first three rounds..

Eric Berry – S:  Tennessee

While my first instinct is to get the best OL available, passing on a talent like Eric Berry is just too hard. Russell Okung isn’t Jake Long or Joe Thomas, and tackles of his caliber come out every year. Guys with Berry’s playmaking ability come out once every 5 or 10 years.

Berry shows just how far the strong safety position has evolved over the years. Gone are the safeties that squat near the line of scrimmage acting as another linebacker. Guys like former Cowboy and current Bengal Roy Williams just aren’t in demand anymore. Berry is the epitome of a playmaker in the secondary; he can lay somebody out as well as getting the crucial interception, and be effective at either safety position.

Adding to the possible choice for this pick, as you guys know Jarrad Page was placed on IR Wednesday, ending his season, and maybe his stint with the Chiefs

If Berry happens to be off the board by the time the chiefs pick, the best OT (now Russell Okung) should be taken.

Sam Young – OT:  Notre Dame

Pioli made a big deal over the summer about bringing in the "right 53" players to the Kansas City Chiefs, and Young could be one of those guys. He has been extremely durable through the years, as he has started every game of his career at Notre Dame, which is the first time in its history.

Young is a big time tackle in every sense of the word. He’s 6’7" and 320 lbs, and could immediately step in as right tackle for this team.

It was reported on AP earlier this week that Scott Pioli himself was at the Notre Dame practice scouting players, and this was more than likely one of two players he is really considering drafting this April (WR Golden Tate is the other one). There is a very good chance the Chiefs will grab him with their first pick in the second round.

Dezmon Briscoe –WR:  Kansas

Coming into this year, it was predicted by some that if Briscoe had another year like last year, he’d be a first round pick. Unfortunately for KU fans, he’s not having as productive of a year, and the KU team as a whole is struggling. Because of this, he is not in the limelight and his draft stock will slip because of it.

Does that mean that he’s going to be less of a player in the NFL? No. Does it mean whoever ends up drafting him will get a better value? Absolutely. Instead of being a late first round pick, it’s looking more and more likely that he’ll be a late second round pick (ESPN’s Scouts Inc. oddly enough doesn’t even have him on their long list of draft eligible WRs)

He is a big, imposing wide receiver at 6′3″, 210 lbs., and can beat press coverage with ease. He, like Dwayne Bowe, is not a burner down field, but is deceptively fast and can get over the top of coverage when given the chance.

Briscoe displays excellent body control when going up for a reception, able to contort his body which ever way is needed to make the catch. He also does a very good job of timing his jump and high-pointing the ball (pic) much in the same way Larry Fitzgerald does (pic). Last year, he set school records in both receiving yards (1407) and touchdowns (15) for a season.

Nabbing him in the latter part of the second round (where the Atlanta pick will more than likely be) would be a steal for this organization and will help Matt Cassel tremendously. If the Chiefs don’t get Eric Berry with the first pick, I wouldn’t be opposed to picking up another KU kid here, safety Darrell Stuckey.

Zane Beadles – OG/OT:  Utah

Beadles, like Young, is a very smart football player; for the past two years, he has been academic all-MWC and made the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll. He played right guard his freshman year before switching to left tackle for the past three years and has missed one game thus far in his career. At 6'4" and 305 lbs, he's the ideal size for either tackle or guard, but could be especially effective inside at guard.

Being smart is very advantageous for a lineman – he can recognize stunts and blitzes and can pick up protection schemes very easily. What you wouldn’t realize from talking to the kid or reading his quotes, is that he’s a monster on the field. He’s got a nasty attitude on the field and pushes guys around whenever he wants. He’s very adept at both pass and run blocking, and would immediately be a huge upgrade over Mike past-his-prime Goff.

Being able to get him in the third round of April’s draft would drastically improve this team, and give Cassel more time in the backfield to locate his receivers.

TJ Gerrity

Fanhuddle.com/KansasCityChiefs