FSH: ON THE TICKER

April 2nd, 2009 9:37pm PST

23 DAYS TO THE NFL DRAFT

NFL Draft Preview:
On The Ticker

On the Board: Kansas City Chiefs....
The Chiefs have made some huge strides in the offseason upgrading their offense with the acquisition of quarterback Matt Cassel, wide receiver Bobby Engram, and showing restraint by not trading Tony Gonzalez. There's no question with new head coach Todd Haley at the helm, Cassel and company are going to be fantasy relevant this season.

With the offense showing an appearance of improvement with their recent offseason moves, this suggests that the team could address other needs in the NFL draft. There was only one team worse than the Chiefs on defense in 2008 and that was the Detroit Lions. Last season the Chiefs ranked 30th against the run and allowed 27.5 points per game (ranked 29th). With the number three pick in this year's draft, don't expect the Chiefs to sit on this pick without looking at the "other side" of the ball.

The Chiefs will be moving toward a 3-4 scheme this season and with the release of linebacker Donnie Edwards, this becomes of position of need and one that Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry should be able to move right in as a starter. Curry is a supreme talent at the linebacker position and according to many his arrival (if selected) will fill a huge need. At Wake, Curry started 37 games and set school records with 226-return yards in a season and 256-return yards for his career. The Wake Forest linebacker also led the team as a junior with 13.5 tackles for a loss and finished second with 99-total tackles. Curry is considered one, if not the top defensive prospect in the draft, so it's hard to imagine the Chiefs passing on clearly the best value sitting at number three.

According to some, Curry is the "complete package" and will be a difference maker at the next level. There's not been a lot said or written to indicate the Chiefs could be looking anywhere else, but at the former Demon Deacon. We can probably chalk this one up on the board. So let it be written, so let it be done.


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