After addressing their greatest need by taking nose tackle Dontari Poe at No. 11, the Kansas City Chiefs added offensive beef at pick No. 44 by taking Illinois’ Jeff Allen.
He played both tackle spots in college, but he projects as a guard in college. He will push Ryan Lilja. Allen is set to team with former college teammate Jon Asamoah, a starting guard for the Chiefs who was a third-round pick two years ago.
The Chiefs are going to be very young in the interior of the offensive line. Rodney Hudson, a second-round pick last season, is expected to take over at center.
Allen is a tough, big, gritty player who appears NFL ready. This pick helps solidify Kansas City’s offense.
Once again, the Chiefs chose to enhance quarterback Matt Cassel instead of replace him. Allen was taken over several players, including Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins. He could still end up with the Chiefs later in the draft, but the Allen pick shows the Chiefs are bent on giving Cassel the best possible offense he can have. Allen is known as an outstanding pass protector.