2012 NFL Draft: Chiefs Work Out Another Offensive Tackle

When speaking to the media yesterday, Kansas City Chiefs GM Scott Pioli was asked about the possibility of moving left tackle Branden Albert to guard. He said:

"Not right now. Is this your mock draft? Mock drafts now include depth chart changes. No. I think Branden Albert's a pretty solid tackle in the league. I know he played guard in college, but there were some pretty good tackles on that team. I think he's a solid player where he is."

Coincidentally, the Chiefs yesterday hosted for a visit a player who could potentially take Albert's spot at left tackle (not guard) one day. According to Aaron Wilson of Scout.com, the Chiefs visited with Iowa State offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele.

NFL Draft Scout rates Osemele as the seventh best offensive tackle in the draft. He played left tackle at Iowa State. He's projected as a second round pick.

While some players use a strong base and others rely on a powerful upper body, Osemele has both. He has incredible reach (35¼-inch arms and an 85½-inch wingspan) and massive hands (10 3/8 inches) that make him hard to escape. He seems to enjoy using that strength most on run blocking, where he overwhelms defenders. He is a bit more tentative as a pass blocker and must work on recognizing what is happening there.

He also made the Honor Roll at Iowa State and was All-Big 12 First Team last season. He played in a whopping 49 games and started 43 of them. He's coming off of an ankle injury last season.

I've brought up the idea of drafting a left tackle instead of extending Albert, who is entering the final year of his contract. I think the Chiefs need to think long and hard about that possibility, whether it's with the 11th or 44th pick.