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With the draft two months away but the NFL Combine behind us, the focus will begin to shift toward free agency in full force. Still, we here at Arrowhead Pride are going to keep you draft geeks updated on what other people with questionable credentials think of the Kansas City Chiefs pick at No. 23.
For the most part, we have seen a ton of Odell Beckham Jr. to this point. Maybe it is because Donnie Avery is the second receiver on the roster. Maybe it is because the Chiefs take a ton of SEC players and Beckham Jr. attends LSU. Maybe, it's because one guy mocked Beckham Jr. to the land of barbeque and people are lazy, and just decided it sounded nice so they copied it.
I can't remember a team drafting so late in the first round that was mocked the same player by literally every analyst on the planet. If Beckham Jr. isn't the pick come May, I want an apology for being insanely wrong.
Let's see what these characters are saying this week:
CBS Sports' Rob Rang: Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU
In guiding the Chiefs to an 11-5 record and a return to the playoffs, quarterback Alex Smith proved worthy of the trade to acquire him from the 49ers. He's a classic game-manager, however, who needs complementary playmakers around him to be at his best. Beckham is a dynamic athlete capable of providing the big plays necessary for the Chiefs to take the next step.
CBS Sports' Dane Brugler: Marqise Lee, WR, USC
Besides Dwayne Bowe, the Chiefs are lacking for impact targets in the passing game downfield. Lee is explosive down the field and if he stays healthy, he'll provide a productive option for Alex Smith opposite Dwayne Bowe.
CBS Sports' Pat Kirwan: Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU
This is the first time I've put Beckham in the first round, but after interviewing him this week and hearing SEC defensive players tell me he was the best they faced, it was time.
NFL.com's Bucky Brooks: Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU
The Chiefs need more speed and explosiveness on the perimeter. Beckham is a speed merchant with a polished overall game.
NFL.com's Matt Smith: Brandin Cooks, WR, Oregon State
Solidified himself as a first-rounder at the combine. Need plus talent makes it a perfect fit.
NFL.com's Charles Davis: Aaron Donald, DL, Pittsburgh
What a season, Senior Bowl and combine for the former Pitt Panther. Now squarely in first-round discussion.
Sports Illustrated's Doug Farrar: Odell Beckham Jr., WR, LSU
Though Andy Reid has always preferred West Coast concepts as the driving force behind his offenses, he also wants a deep vertical threat to take the top off of coverage. And from start to finish, there’s no better and more versatile speed receiver in this class than Beckham. He tore it up at the scouting combine, running a 4.43 40 and nailing it in all the drills. Add in his value as a return man, and Beckham could redefine Reid’s offense sooner than later.
Draftek: Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State
This DRAFTSIM is not setting up well for the Chiefs. Talented Defensive Backs Justin Gilbert, Hasean Clinton-Dix, and Calvin Pryor are all off the board. Wide Receiver targets Mike Evans, Marquise Lee, and Odell Beckhan Jr. are also gone. If the NFL Draft unfolds this way, look for the Chiefs to be very open to trading down. Picking here, the Chiefs would consider Kelvin Benjamin, Jordan Matthews, Brandin Cooks and Stephon Tuitt. You can make a legitimate case for any of those players, so why Benjamin?
The Chiefs have been looking hard at every big-bodied receiver in the draft. At 6' 5", 235 lbs, they don't get much more big-bodied than Benjamin. He is raw with his route running; however, his athletic skills are off the charts. John Dorsey rolls the die here. He hopes he grabs the next Calvin Johnson and not the next Jonathan Baldwin.
Yahoo's Shaun King: C.J. Mosley, ILB, Alabama
The Chiefs already have an elite group in their front seven. Mosley gets them over the hump. Some will say go wide receiver here, but putting Mosley next to Derrick Johnson makes them better in the long run. It's a deep draft at receiver and they can grab one later.