Kansas City Chiefs: Must Address Center Position in Draft

With 10 total picks, including five of the top 118 selections, the Kansas City Chiefs are a team that can significantly improve in the 2015 NFL Draft. Despite a strong free agency period, the Chiefs still have plenty of needs on their roster worth addressing.

After not completing a single touchdown pass to the position last season, wide receiver may seem like a huge need. While it is certainly a position worth addressing, the Chiefs’ receiving core is much better than it was at the start of the off season.

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The free agent addition of Jeremy Maclin gives the Chiefs a legitimate number one option that will help take the pressure off of the rest of the receivers. Also, while very inexperienced, guys like De’Anthony Thomas, Da’Rick Rogers and Albert Wilson represent a ton of upside at the position. Expect at least one of these receivers to breakout and become a legitimate receiving threat to couple with Maclin in 2015.

Tight end Travis Kelce is also a prime breakout candidate that will give quarterback Alex Smith a strong option in the passing game. While the Chiefs certainly need to add some depth at wide receiver in the draft, between Maclin, Kelce, Thomas, Rogers and Wilson, there is some huge potential on the roster.

With wide receiver not as big of a need as once thought, and with plenty of draft pick currency to work with, the Chiefs have an opportunity to fill other needs on their roster. Cornerback, linebacker and safety are positions worth addressing on the defensive side of the ball, but none of that compares to the Chiefs’ need at offensive line.

While his play has been inconsistent up to this point, former first overall pick Eric Fisher will be the Chiefs’ left tackle once again next season. Newly acquired Ben Grubbs will hold down left guard, while some combination of Jeff Allen, Paul Fanaika and Donald Stephenson expect to make up the right side of the line.

All of the players mentioned above are decent NFL starting caliber players, but the Chiefs could definitely consider potential upgrades in the upcoming draft. However, after losing Rodney Hudson to the Oakland Raiders in free agency, no position on the offensive needs upgraded more than center.

Nov 30, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs center Rodney Hudson (61) before the start of the game against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

2013 sixth round pick Eric Kush is currently listed as the starter at center. While Kush may end up being a decent player, he has hardly seen the field at this point in his career. Despite their recent struggles on the offensive line, Kush has never given the Chiefs a reason to play him. That is concerning. Kush may be a nice backup option, but the Chiefs at least need to bring somebody in to compete with him.

Some recent mock drafts have the Chiefs selecting Florida State offensive lineman Cameron Erving with their first round pick. Erving was a dominant left tackle in college for two and half years, before making the switch to center late last season.

Erving’s made a very smooth transition to the center position, and many scouts believe that he is best suited to be a center in the NFL. Erving has great length and athleticism for the center position.

He reaches the second level extremely well in the run game which could be a huge plus in the Chiefs’ zone blocking attack. Erving is even better as a pass blocker, using his athleticism very well against speed guys, and having enough power to take on bigger defenders.

Jan 1, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; Florida State Seminoles offensive tackle Cameron Erving (75) gestures during the second half of the 2015 Rose Bowl college football game against the Oregon Ducks at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

While Erving seems like a great fit for Kansas City, the Chiefs may not be getting enough value by taking a center in the first round. I personally believe that Erving has left tackle upside in the future, making him worth the pick, but considering he will be a center at the start, I understand why some think the value is not there.

Luckily, there are other intriguing options for the Chiefs at the center position. Most namely, Hroniss Grasu seems like a perfect fit.

Grasu is a very athletic offensive lineman who ran a very similar zone blocking style in college at Oregon. He is a very tough and hardworking player who started 52 games at the center position in his college career.

While Grasu does not have the pure bulk and strength that every NFL team is looking for, his toughness allows him to hold his own against bigger players. Grasu’s strength is in his quickness and athleticism, making him a perfect fit in the Chiefs’ zone blocking scheme.

With great technique, athleticism and intangibles, Grasu would be a perfect selection for the Chiefs in the second round of the upcoming draft.

If they miss out on Erving and Grasu, the Chiefs would be wise to consider center prospects like B.J. Finney, Shaquille Mason, Andy Gallik and Reese Dismukes in the later rounds. While none of these guys are as great of fits as Erving or Grasu, each would bring great competition to Kush at the center position.

Before leaving in free agency, Hudson was the most stable player on the Chiefs’ offensive line. Replacing him will not be easy, but there are prospects in this draft class who can immediately help them. If the Chiefs are aggressive enough to land Erving or Grasu, the drop-off will not be extreme, and the offense will be fine going forward.

Next: 5 Late Round Sleepers Chiefs Should Target

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