Evaluating the Draft: Part 1

Now that the dust has settled from the last three days of the NFL draft, it's time to start evaluating the Chiefs selections with a clear head and an analytic approach. I know that not everyone is a fan of the Chiefs decisions, but let's go through each pick and see how they can help the Chiefs now or in the future.

Grades will be assigned for each pick as well.

1st Round - Dontari Poe
The nose tackle out of Memphis will go down as one of the most controversial picks the Chiefs have made in a long time. Not only because of the player that Poe is, but because of the unprecedented trade activity in this draft that the Chiefs chose not to take part in. Scott Pioli said that they had two willing trade partners, but that Poe wouldn't have been available that late in the draft.

Although many fans fumed at this selection (while others might have been experiencing different emotions ...), it addressed the only glaring need on the team. If you looked at any other position on the Chiefs roster, there is not one that could use a bigger upgrade than NT. I'm well aware that drafting high picks based on need is dangerous, but it's also sometimes necessary. And if you're concerned about Poe's lack of stats at Memphis, Pioli might set your mind at ease with this reasoning.

Grade: B-

2nd Round - Jeff Allen
Allen has played his entire college career at the offensive tackle position - 38 at left tackle and 9 at right tackle - but his best chance to crack the starting lineup will be at guard. Standing 6-4 and weighing 306 lbs., Allen is slightly undersized to be an NFL tackle, but is the perfect size to be a guard.

While selecting an offensive lineman in the first two rounds is an unsexy pick, they can help bolster an offensive line, and a strong offensive line will make the entire offense better. And Allen will help make it better. "He's a natural pass protector, who I think is a Day 1 starter. For Kansas City, I think he's a left guard, which is fine because he's got the skill set to do so" said Mike Mayock of NFL Network. And while I think Allen won't see the starting lineup until 2013, it's nice to have a guard learning the ropes for a season.

Grade: B+

3rd Round - Donald Stephenson
The second offensive tackle draft pick of the night by the Chiefs, Stephenson will actually stay at that position with the team, offering a viable swing tackle. Stephenson started at left tackle for two seasons with the Sooners, and it seems everyone likes to attach two descriptions with Stephenson: "high upside" and "developmental."

Both the above phrases are some of the oldest cliches in the book, but if they are accurate, then Stephenson will be a good pick up. I doubt Stephenson ever sees the field on the starting offensive line this season with Branden Albert and Eric Winston manning the edges, but Albert could be gone after the 2012 season, so drafting a potential replacement that can take the year to refine his skills and learn the system is a good idea. Plus Stephenson is one of those feel-good stories, considering he is from the KC area and is a lifelong Chiefs fan.

Grade: B