Kansas City Chiefs: Trade Up to Draft Brandon Scherff?

By Dan Schmelzer | Apr 27, 2015

With the NFL Draft quickly approaching, specific draft scenarios are starting to come in to play. Jameis Winston is widely expected to be taken first overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with Marcus Mariota probably being taken second overall by either the Tennessee Titans or a team trading up.

Defensive lineman Leonard Williams, wide receivers Kevin White and Amari Cooper and pass rushers like Dante Fowler, Vic Beasley, Shane Ray and Randy Gregory will be quickly considered by the teams who are up next. Where does that leave the top offensive lineman in the class, Brandon Scherff?

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While he is very unlikely to be a left tackle at the next level, Scherff is a mean and nasty offensive lineman who will have a massive impact immediately. He is as strong as an ox, and has great footwork, quickness and athleticism for a big offensive lineman.

Scherff absolutely dominates in the run game on tape. He shows more than enough strength to completely man-handle anybody lined up across from him, and the ability the reach the second level with ease. He is inconsistent at times in pass protection, but he has plenty of skills to improve with proper coaching.

The move inside to guard, or even to right tackle should help hide his inconsistency in pass protection while he grows. The comparison to 2014 rookie Zack Martin, who made a transition from tackle to guard in the NFL, and was a First-Team All-Pro in his rookie season, appears to be spot on. Scherff has major upside at the next level.

Where Scherff will slot in during the draft is a major question mark. Some mock drafts have him going as early as fifth overall to the Washington Redskins, while some have him falling as late as the 14th pick to the Miami Dolphins.

The New York Giants with the ninth overall pick is probably the most common landing spot for Scherff in mock drafts. But with his projected inability to play left tackle at the next level, sliding down the draft board a bit is certainly possible.

If Scherff begins to slip in to the early teens, the Kansas City Chiefs should strongly consider trade up scenarios.

While they certainly have some interesting pieces, the Chiefs’ offensive line one their biggest needs in the draft. Former first overall pick Eric Fisher has been average at best at left tackle, and the loss of Rodney Hudson leaves a major hole at the center position. Veteran Ben Grubbs will be a solid option for the team at left guard, but he is far from the player he used to be.

Dec 7, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tackle Eric Fisher against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Chiefs 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Some sort of combination of Jeff Allen, Paul Fanaika and Donald Stephenson currently make up the right side of the line. These players are solid, but their upside is severely limited. The Chiefs certainly need help up front, and grabbing Scherff would be a major step in the right direction.

Scherff would probably fit in best at right guard for the Chiefs, but could certainly play left guard or right tackle as well. His quickness would be an ideal fit for the Chiefs’ zone run blocking scheme, and his dominant run blocking skills would be very welcomed as the Chiefs’ offense is centered around running back Jamaal Charles.

With 10 total picks in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs will have plenty of draft pick currency to make a trade up if they. I do not expect them to go all the way from No. 18 to the Top 10. But if Scherff falls out of the Top 10, they need to strongly consider trade up scenarios. He may be the perfect prospect for them in this draft class.

While there are certainly other needs on the roster that must be addressed through the draft, offensive line is arguably the biggest one. Scherff is the perfect player to plug-in on the Chiefs offensive line. He is going to be a dominant force in the NFL, targeting him would be very wise.

Next: Targeting WR Perriman a Wise Move for Chiefs?

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