Kansas City Chiefs 2012 NFL Draft: Trading Down Should Not Be Considered

It is still unknown whether the NFL lockout last offseason was the direct source as to why the Kansas City Chiefs decided to play the free agent market timidly heading into the 2011 season.

Having only made very little noise with the signings of wide receiver Steve Breaston, defensive tackle Kelly Gregg, linebacker Brandon Siler and running back Le’Ron McClain, the Chiefs must have thought they were in good position to only slightly tinker with the depth chart coming off of their 2010 AFC West Championship.

Had they known key injuries to Jamaal Charles, Eric Berry, Tony Moeaki and Matt Cassel would be the primary grounds for a an overall disappointing 2011 season, the Chiefs might have done more to protect the rest of the roster in an attempt to save face as the season progressed.

However, hindsight is always 20/20 and last season is already in the books. The only way to right that ship is to not repeat history by making similar mistakes.

So far during the 2012 offseason, the Chiefs have made subtle but efficient moves to improve the roster. They signed right tackle Eric Winston, tight end Kevin Boss, running back Peyton Hillis and cornerback Stanford Routt to either replace former or current players on the starting roster or provide much needed depth at positions that suffered injuries last season.

The roster additions coupled with the return of key players from injury have suddenly transformed the Chiefs into a team that can attack the draft in such a way that they no longer have to fill too many holes or stretch on players to fill a glaring need just to give the impression they are fulfilling their duties.

Sure the Chiefs have areas where depth is a concern or they could use an immediate impact player; specifically the interior of the offensive line, all across the defensive line, inside linebacker and the defensive backfield. However, what teams aren’t constantly trying to upgrade at those positions?

The fact is that, although the success hasn’t manifested itself to its fullest extent, the Chiefs are in position to control the AFC West for the foreseeable future. That being said, the operative move with the eleventh pick in this year’s NFL draft would be to stand pat and select the best player available—something the Chiefs aren’t all too accustomed to doing recently.

There are a handful of players who could be available when the clock falls on the Chiefs who will make an instant impact in 2012 and beyond. Players who come to mind are offensive guard David DeCastro out of Stanford and inside linebacker Luke Kuechly of Boston College. Either one of these players fills an immediate void and is considered the best at their position. To trade away from either, assuming one or both is still available when it is the Chiefs' turn to pick, would be a huge mistake.

Trading down in the draft guarantees nothing but a blind hope that certain targeted players are still available to select when your turn rolls around again. But, having multiple players who will come right in and fit the organization’s blueprint at your disposal with the 11th pick should result in a no-brainer conclusion.

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