3. Kansas City Chiefs

-Aaron Curry (OLB/Wake Forest)

NFL.com

If Scott Pioli takes a trick from Belichik’s hat, he may not choose a young linebacker so early. But the situation certainly seems ripe for a pick at linebacker if one is available.  Derrick Johnson has been inconsistent, and fellow linebacker Donnie Edwards was recently released. If you include the switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defensive scheme, it seems likely that Kansas City will grab a rush linebacker to help with their abysmal pass rush.

If Aaron Curry is still here at this pick, then the Chiefs should take him. Simply put, Curry can do everything a linebacker should do: rush the passer, stop the run, cover receivers, and provide leadership qualities.

-Brian Orakpo (DE/Texas)

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In the event that Curry is taken, the Chiefs might take a look at another intriguing player with great upside.  Nagurski award winner Brian Orakpo is as physically built as any player in the league.  At 6’3 and 263 lbs. Orakpo has the size and speed (4.70 sec) to put his hand down and rush the quarterback. Had it not been for injuries, he would have probably registered more than his 10.5 sacks for the season.

Therein lies Orakpo’s major issue: injuries.  Somehow the Texas defensive end can’t stay healthy for any long duration. During his junior year, he missed 4 games due to knee problems. This year, he suffered a knee injury against Texas Tech, having to sit out 1.5 games. And he even pulled a hamstring during the combine.

-B.J. Raji (DT/Boston College)

NFL.com

Besides outside linebacker, the nose tackle can make or break a 3-4 defense. A big, strong space eater who can draw double and triple teams is the ideal player at this spot. Depending on whether the Chiefs think Glen Dorsey can hold the middle, they could go for a true nose tackle prospect.

In this draft, B.J. Raji is the most capable man for the job. Able to rush the passer and anchor in the run, he definitely cannot be single blocked, as was witnessed at the Senior Bowl.

Some teams may question him because of some behavior issues. But other than that, I like him very much.

Next on the clock: Seattle Seahawks

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