It’s starting to be mock draft season.
There have been several early efforts, including this one from Fox Sports.
I enjoy looking at mocks to see if I agree with the thinking for each AFC West team. Sometimes, I’m surprised by the selection and other times, I’m simply fascinated by the choices.
Fascination was the word when I scrolled down and saw who Fox Sports had penciled in for the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 11 -- Alabama running back Trent Richardson. If Richardson is the pick of the Chiefs (who will take part in a coin flip for the No. 11 or No. 12 pick with Seattle next month), it will be the story of the draft for the AFC West.
Richardson is considered a potentially game-changing tailback.
The first question is could Richardson tumble to No. 11. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., in an Insider piece,
put out his first mock draft Wednesday. He has Richardson going to Tampa Bay at No. 5. Richardson is considered a top-flight prospect, so seeing him falling to No. 11 could be a stretch. However, we have seen running backs fall past their value spot because running backs aren’t often taken in the top 10.
If Richardson is available when the Chiefs pick, would they take him?
Kansas City has needs on the defensive line and on the offensive line. Jamaal Charles, who was the second leading rusher in the NFL in 2010, is expected to be healthy this season. He was lost for the season when he tore the ACL in his knee in Week 2.
Richardson would be a luxury pick in Kansas City. However, a backfield featuring Richardson and Charles would be one of the most dangerous running-back tandems in the NFL. It would also take immense pressure of quarterback Matt Cassel and an underrated passing game in Kansas City.
What do you think? Do you think Kansas City should take Richardson if he falls to him, or do you think the Chiefs have too many other pressing needs? Fill up the comment section below with your thoughts.