The 2010 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft is underway, with each SB Nation blogger making selections for their respective teams. Chris Joel Thorman, lead blogger at SB Nation's Kansas City Chiefs blog, Arrowhead Pride, checks in to make the fifth overall selection in this year's mock. Take it away, sir!
2010 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft: Round 1, Pick 5
With the fifth overall pick in the 2010 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs have selected Rolando McClain, middle linebacker, Alabama.
Chris Joel Thorman says: The fifth overall pick may be a bit of a reach for Alabama LB Rolando McClain, but history shows it fits into the Scott Pioli profile. While in New England, Pioli had top ten draft choices on two occasions. The first time, in 2002, they took Richard Seymour, a 3-4 defensive end. The second time, in 2008, they took LB Jerod Mayo. The Chiefs have a top five pick for the second consecutive year. In 2009 it was spent on, you guessed it, a 3-4 defensive end by the name of Tyson Jackson. Continuing the theme, the Chiefs will select Rolando McClain.
McClain has a couple of things going for him that make Kansas City a reasonable destination. First, McClain comes from a familiar defense. Pioli and Nick Saban have worked together, and Pioli usually doesn't stray far from what he knows. Second, McClain is the quarterback of the defense, so to speak, and the Chiefs place a premium on cerebral players who understand not just their position, but the entire defense. Third, McClain has experience in a similar type of defense the Chiefs are trying to run.
Add those up and the Chiefs selecting McClain with the fifth overall pick makes sense.
Mocking Dan reacts: At this point, the choice for Kansas City appears to be either McClain or Tennessee safety Eric Berry. Both would help the Chiefs’ weak defense. It also may not be a shock to see the Chiefs take defensive tackle Dan Williams to accelerate the 3-4 defense completion.
But McClain would not only make an immediate impact, but he'll give the defense a tougher mentality. Rey Maualuga didn't have the best statistical season for the Bengals, but he gave their defense a nastier demeanor. McClain can do the same – and he's a far better player.
Mocking the Draft’s Top 5 remaining prospects: 1 - Eric Berry/S/Tennessee, 2 - C.J. Spiller/RB/Clemson, 3 - Derrick Morgan/DE/Georgia Tech, 4 - Dez Bryant/WR/Oklahoma State, 5 - Joe Haden/CB/Florida
Sound off, SB Nation! Was the selection of McClain a wise choice? Please be sure to check out Arrowhead Pride for all of your Chiefs needs.
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