SB Nation Writers Mock Draft: Round 1, Pick #3

Mar 25, 2009, 10:00 PM UTC

No. 3

KANSAS CITY
CHIEFS
Pick by Arrowhead Pride

Eugene Monroe
Offensive tackle
Virginia

Finishing off the first day of the SB Nation mock draft is Chris, the point man at the wildly popular Arrowhead Pride.

As Chiefs fans have discussed the 2009 NFL draft this off season, one fact has become increasingly clear- the Chiefs can go a lot of different ways with this No. 3 pick.

The team has an aging linebacking corp with a very short window of opportunity, which would have made linebacker Aaron Curry a great pick if he was available. With the Chiefs contemplating a fusion of 3-4/4-3 defensive formations in the upcoming year, a LB/DE combo like Florida State’s Everette Brown may be a solid option here as well.

New head coach Todd Haley may not be ready to give up the power of having two star wide receivers and draft Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree to play opposite Dwayne Bowe. Or, with the 2007 season’s 78 rushing yards a game average still fresh in their minds and a new quarterback in Matt Cassel to protect, the Chiefs could easily draft on the offensive line.

Offensive line is the direction I think that Haley and Scott Pioli will go with their first pick this year. It is the safest, most reliable position to draft at No. 3 overall. With this pick, you want a player who is going to be with your team for 10-plus years and Eugene Monroe can be that player.

Jason Smith and Monroe are the top two tackle prospects in this year’s draft and I personally like Monroe over Smith, which is irrelevant since Smith is already off the board. Monroe started more games, is less of an unknown and comes from a program that has a solid history of sending good offensive linemen to the NFL.

Last year’s 15th pick overall, Branden Albert, performed magically in his rookie season, making Chiefs fans forget about the dismal state of the ‘07 offensive line. Adding in Albert’s former teammate Monroe gives the Chiefs franchise bookends at the tackle position, helping solidify one of the most fundamental positions in football.

Cassel was the most-sacked quarterback in the NFL last year. This was due to a combination of the Patriot’s declining offensive line and to a lack of agility and experience on Cassel’s part. The scrambling Tyler Thigpen played well behind last year’s offensive line. Cassel would not have. If Cassel is indeed the future franchise quarterback in Kansas City, the team needs to protect him.

The Chiefs need Eugene Monroe to help stabilize their entire offense.

MTD thoughts: Another quality pick, given the offseason moves made by the Chiefs. The only thing making this questionable is putting Monroe on the right side. He played so well at left tackle at Virginia it pushed current Chiefs left tackle Branden Albert to guard. Monroe might not have the physicality to handle the strong side. Everette Brown is a possibility here, but this could be a little early.