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The NFL Combine is only a few weeks away, and when it comes will have a massive impact on everybody's big board.
Young men slated to be a third round pick will jump into the first day, while others will slide down because of bad workouts, injury or a bad interview. In essence, everything we know about how the draft looks right now will be turned upside-down in some cases come three weeks from now.
In the mean time, here are some of the more respected mock drafts that have taken place in the last week, and who the experts see the Kansas City Chiefs selected with the 23rd overall pick. We already covered Mel Kiper and Todd McShay's mock drafts, which you can read about here.
Sports Illustrated's Doug Farrar - Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
The Chiefs would be wise to go with defensive reinforcements as their defense collapsed down the stretch as injuries took their toll, but there’s also the need for more targets for Alex Smith in the short term — and the quarterback of the future in Andy Reid’s offense in the long term. Benjamin is a big receiver who uses his impressive wingspan to win battles on fades and other red-zone routes.
SB Nation's Dan Kadar - Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU
In any mocks I've done, this picked has shifted between wide receivers. So why does someone like Beckham get the nod? He's not a superstar athlete like Florida State's Kelvin Benjamin, but he has some of the best hands in the draft. But don't mistake that for Beckham being only a possession receiver. He can run a full route tree, get open in tight spaces and has some speed.
Sporting News' Eric Galko - Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU
Andy Reid certainly wants to upgrade his receiving corps, and Beckham may be the type of high upside receiver that the Chiefs may consider in the first round despite the depth of this receiver class. Beckham isn’t a finished product as a route runner, but he has arguably the highest upside of any receiver in this class.
CSN Philly's Jared Sherman - Zack Martin, OT, Notre Dame
The Chiefs rose from the ashes in 2013 under new coach Andy Reid but face some challenges going into 2014. Starting guard Jon Asamoah and tackles Geoff Schwartz and Branden Albert are free agents. Albert is most likely gone with 2013 first-overall pick Eric Fisher sliding from right to left tackle. Depending on how much Asamoah is asking for, he could be gone, too. Martin played both right and left tackle for the Irish, and despite having shorter-than-ideal arms, he flourished. He is powerful, moves very well and has a nasty demeanor. Martin could slide into the starting guard or right tackle spot depending on what the Chiefs decide to do in free agency.
USA Today's Nate Davis - Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame
Underwhelming starter Tyson Jackson is coming off the books and a replacement is needed to prevent or exploit the double teams NT Dontari Poe is sure to see.
Draftek - Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State
The Seahawks put on a clinic on how to stop Peyton Manning and you can bet the Chiefs were taking notes. The Chiefs have a nice pass rush and a stellar group of Linebackers. Eric Berry is a stud at Strong Safety and will not rotate to Free Safety. The Chiefs could use another good press-man cornerback. However, the most important need is at Free Safety. Should Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix be on the board here, he is a very likely pick. The Chiefs will also be looking hard at Calvin Pryor. If the value is not there for a Free Safety, the Chiefs could easily pick up Justin Gilbert. Gilbert's skill as a man defender is the best in the draft class. This draft is deep at WR and CB. There is a sizeable dropoff in talent at FS after Clinton-Dix and Pryor. Don't be shocked if John Dorsey reaches for Pryor in Round One. He would look to target taller cornerbacks such as Keith McGill and Stanley Jean-Baptiste in Rounds Three or Four.
CBS Sports' Dane Brugler - Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU
Besides Dwayne Bowe, the Chiefs are lacking for impact targets in the passing game downfield. Beckham is a dynamic athlete who will find ways to get open and create after the catch, giving Kansas City a pair of former LSU tigers for Alex Smith to throw to.
CBS Sports' Rob Rang - Hasean Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
Incumbent starter Kendrick Lewis is a pending free agent and while the Chiefs are high on second-year pro Sanders Commings, Clinton-Dix could force the team to re-think their depth chart. A steady open-field tackler with good fluidity and speed in coverage, Clinton-Dix could help the Chiefs' secondary grow less reliant on their fierce pass rush to make big plays on defense.
