Will the Kansas City Chiefs Draft a Lineman?

With all of the hype leading up to the April draft, as a Chiefs fan, I am left sweating bullets. 

The last time the Chiefs had a draft pick this high they blew it by selecting Ryan Sims. 

This year the Chiefs are looking to rebuild their offensive line that in the last two years has lost future hall of famers Willie Roaf and Will Shields.  What was once the most dominating line in the NFL has now become one of the weakest. 

The Chiefs do not have a real good history of drafting well in the early rounds.  Later rounds have turned out players such as Scott Fujita, Kawika Mitchell, Jared Page, and most notably Jared Allen.  Although the Chiefs drafted Larry Johnson in the first round, the pick would have benefited the team more if they chose a defensive stud.

So here we are, the 2008 draft and the Chiefs have a top five pick.  All that has been talked about in the media is Jake Long. 

I have no doubts that Jake Long has all of the skills necessary to succeed in the NFL, but I heard dozens of "experts" said that about Robert Gallery too.  As a matter of fact, I still say Gallery has what it takes, but he is a perfect example of what happens when you draft a great lineman to play with a bad line.  

If you get a job working for a company that chops down trees and all you are is a receptionist, you are still labeled with the people who chop down trees.  Despite being a receptionist, your company is what defines you. 

The Oakland Raiders drafted Gallery to play along a struggling offensive line.  Although Gallery had the necessary skills, he is only one of five linemen. 

I am afraid that the Chiefs will draft Jake Long and add him to a line that currently has projected starters: LT- Jake Long, LG- Brian Waters, C- Rudy Niswanger, RG- Tre Stallings, RT- Will Svitek. 

If you have never heard of the center or the right side of the line I don't blame you.  Outside of Kansas City I am not sure too many people have heard of them. 

I believe the Chiefs should take this draft pick and trade down.  Yes they would be passing on a good lineman in Jake Long, but they need more than just him. 

There is speculation that the Chiefs will release DBs Patrick Surtain and Ty Law.  I am in favor of this move, but who will fill those voids?  If the answer is Benny Sapp than it is going to be a long year for the Chiefs. 

WRs Eddie Kennison and Samie Parker are also candidates to be released, that leaves the Chiefs with Dwayne Bowe, Jeff Webb, and Bobby Sippio at WR.  I do have faith in the young receivers, but they are still unproven. 

So with the possibility of trading back, the Chiefs could get a first and maybe a third round pick to fill the voids left behind by two very seasoned, yet underachieving, veterans in Surtain and Law, and still find personnel to fill voids on their offensive line. 

I pray as a Chiefs fan to not have another draft day  disappointment. A productive draft this year is crucial for us to finally begin to crawl out of this hole we find ourselves in now. 

It has been 49 years since the Chiefs have been to the Super Bowl, and 15 since they have won a playoff game.  

They have to get better, find an identity of their own, and "play to win the game."