Our mock draft continues with the SB Nation Arizona "experts" projecting the selections of the first round of the draft. The Kansas City Chiefs are the next team in the draft. They have needs in several spots on the field, even thought they surprised everyone with their 10-6 AFC West winning season.
Scott Howard picks for the Chiefs:
Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor
The Chiefs grew by leaps and bounds in 2010 - going from league wide laughing stock to 10-6 AFC West division champions in just one year. That's certainly no small feat. Now that they're on people's radars there's no way Todd Haley and company are going to catch anyone by surprise, which means they need to improve.
The big needs for Kansas City are wide reciever, offensive tackle, and a nose tackle for their 3-4 scheme. Since his New England days, Scott Pioli has never been much of an early round guy for wide outs so that possibility is probably out the window. Although there are a few good tackles on the board the Chiefs will select Phil Taylor, defensive tackle from Baylor.
Corey Liuget will probably be a consideration since he managed to fall from his mid-1st round projection to this slot but Taylor is a no-brainer nose tackle while Liuget only has the potential to develop into one. The big 350 pounder should be able to occupy enough blockers to allow the Chiefs linebackers - most notably Tamba Hali (he of 14.5 sacks in 2010) - to cause some damage in opposing backfields
Next up is Peyton Manning and the Colts. I will be selecting for them.
Check out the mock draft on the Arizona Cardinals team blog Revenge of the Birds to see who both the community and the writers are projecting.
2011 SBN AZ Mock Draft recap:
1- Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn (Jess Root)
2- Denver Broncos: Von Miller, OLB, Texas A&M (Cory Williams)
3- Buffalo Bills: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri (Scott Howard)
4- Cincinnati Bengals: AJ Green, WR, Georgia (JR)
5- Arizona Cardinals: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU (CW)
6- Cleveland Browns: Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson (SH)
7- San Francisco 49ers: Robert Quinn, DE, North Carolina (JR)
8- Tennessee Titans: Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn (CW)
9- Dallas Cowboys: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama (SH)
10- Washington Redskins: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama (JR)
11- Houston Texans: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska (CW)
12- Minnesota Vikings: Tyron Smith, OT, USC (SH)
13- Detroit Lions: Cameron Jordan, DE, California (JR)
14- St. Louis Rams: Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue (CW)
15- Miami Dolphins: Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama (SH)
16- Jacksonville Jaguars: Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado (JR)
17- New England Patriots: J.J. Watts, DE, Wisconsin (CW)
18- San Diego Chargers: Nate Solder, OT, Colorado (JR)
19- New York Giants: Mike Pouncey, C, Florida (JR)
20- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College (CW)
21- Kansas City Chiefs: Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor (SH)