It was only appropriate that former Kansas City Chief Will Shields announced this pick.
The Kansas City Chiefs have made Illinois OT Jeff Allen the No. 44 pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. It is the Chiefs' second pick of the draft, after selecting Memphis DT Dontari Poe with the No. 11 pick.
Allen, like Poe, was a team captain in his senior year. He was also teammates with current Chiefs' offensive lineman Jon Asamoah at Illinois. Mocking the Draft had this to say on Allen:
Jeff Allen, Illinois
Height: 6'4, Weight: 306 poundsStrengths: A team captain with a lot of experience playing right and left tackle and can play either side. Good athleticism and quickness for the position. When his technique is sound, Allen uses his hands nicely.
Weaknesses: Doesn't always play physical and will need to be motivated on the field by coaches. Seems to absorb contact instead of being the person initiating it.
The Chiefs now have a solid swing tackle in place to assure themselves of some depth in case of injury to Branden Albert and Eric Winston. They've also got some insurance for Albert, who is heading into the final year of his contract. Allen could also potentially play guard.
Jeff Allen was not on our Chiefs draft interests table. Quick reactions to the Chiefs' second pick?
Full round two draft results are here. The Chiefs' next pick is currently No. 74.