Arguments for a Left Tackle in the 2010 Draft.

[Saccopoo]

While the vast majority of drafturbators around here think that Branden Albert is doing a remarkable job and had a great last half of the season, some people believe that adding a competent offensive left tackle would be a prudent and viable selection for the Chiefs with their first pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

Some supporting arguments for a left tackle:

Wes Bunting: Well, after Suh, McCoy and Berry, Russell Okung's a pretty safe pick. Sure, he might not be the sexiest of guys, but honestly Branden Albert was one of the highest rated guards I'd seen and yet he hasn't yet had the type of career because he's be a run-of-the-mill tackle. You'd be surprised how quickly that offensive line would improve if you got a legit offensive tackle in there and kick Branden Albert inside. Some good things could happen.

From Walters 2010 Mock:

Fortunately, Pioli, who is a big believer in positional value, can take Okung without sacrificing too much of his team's payroll into the left tackle position. Albert makes less than $1 million in each of the next two seasons, and was a guard at Virginia anyway.

Okung is the real deal. He could take the Chiefs' offense to the next level, though the team will ultimately struggle in the playoffs because of Cassel's limitations.

From Walters/Matt McGuire's Mock:

Russell Okung - This pick is a no-brainer and barring a huge screw-up, I think we can all be 99-percent assured the Kansas City Chiefs are handcuffed to taking a left tackle at this pick. It will be interesting to see whether it ends up being Okung, Anthony Davis or Bruce Campbell, as the battle for the No. 1 tackle spot is one of the best storylines of the 2010 NFL Draft.

Okung was the most consistent lineman in the nation this year and he will test out on a very high level athletically.

From Draftcountdown:

The Chiefs have plenty of needs and could go in a number of different directions here but their offensive line play has been particularly troubling. In fact, Kansas City ranked among the worst in the league when it comes to sacks allowed. Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung isn’t an elite prospect in the mold of Tony Boselli, Jon Ogden or Orlando Pace but he has clearly emerged as the top offensive tackle in this class and will likely be a Top 10 pick. With good size, long arms, great strength, above-average athleticism and feet as well as top-notch intangibles, Okung is just a very good all-around blocker. Okung could slide into the starting lineup at either left or right tackle for the Chiefs and any investment in keeping franchise quarterback Matt Cassel upright is money well spent.

From Mel Kiper:

I think the Chiefs could use help at safety as well, but Berry likely won't fall this far, and they'd be reaching on either of the two other safeties with first-round grades. Okung could solve two problems, making him a good value -- he could step in at LT and allow the Chiefs to move Brandon Albert to the right side. A pick that can pay immediate dividends for the Chiefs.

From Don Banks/Sports Illustrated:

If Berry should get this far, the Chiefs would be the benefactors, but Okung seems like the right fit in the right spot for Kansas City. The Chiefs have tons of needs, but in Okung they would be getting a franchise left tackle, allowing them to shift Branden Albert back to his more natural right tackle position.

It's damn near a cultural universal!

Also in opposition to people who believe that Branden Albert had a very good last four games, in the Buffalo game, he was penalized three times (tied for most in a game in 2009) and gave up a whopping five quarterback pressures. In the Cincinatti game, he was penalized twice and allow a hit on the quarterback. In actuality, taking out the fluke Denver game, which was a drive block fest as Jamaal Charles racked up a Chiefs single game rushing record, Albert did not perform well in the last quarter of the season. Yes, he didn't give up any sacks, but there were a lot of qb pressures and penalties.

[doomy3]

Originally Posted by RustShack

Is it a coincidence that when Albert got back up to his previous playing weight near the end of the year(muscle this time instead of fat) that he was back to playing like his previous self? You know when he was being labeled as the best LT in that draft over the likes of Long and Clady.

I'm sorry, but no one, other than some people on this board were saying that.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by RustShack

Is it a coincidence that when Albert got back up to his previous playing weight near the end of the year(muscle this time instead of fat) that he was back to playing like his previous self? You know when he was being labeled as the best LT in that draft over the likes of Long and Clady.

This team has so many needs and so little depth taking another LT, at 5, would be ****ing stupid.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by RustShack

Is it a coincidence that when Albert got back up to his previous playing weight near the end of the year(muscle this time instead of fat) that he was back to playing like his previous self? You know when he was being labeled as the best LT in that draft over the likes of Long and Clady.

Uh......Who labeled him as the best LT in that draft?

[milkman]

Originally Posted by doomy3

I'm sorry, but no one, other than some people on this board were saying that.

Damn the phone!

[RustShack]

Originally Posted by milkman

Uh......Who labeled him as the best LT in that draft?

The people who are saying we should now draft Okung.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by RustShack

The people who are saying we should now draft Okung.

I certainly don't remember that.

I remember they all thought it was a good pick and saw the potential for him to develop into a good LT, but I don't believe anyone labeled him as the best LT in that draft.

I think Long and Clady were generally considered the best.

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by milkman

I think Long and Clady were generally considered the best.

Not on this board.

[Dave Lane]

Originally Posted by Sfeihc

If the Chiefs do take Okung and then Pouncey in the second, The O-Line is fixed. The defense automatically is improved because then they don't have to spend 40+ minutes a game on the field.

Or Cassel 40 plus times on the ground.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Originally Posted by milkman

I certainly don't remember that.

I remember they all thought it was a good pick and saw the potential for him to develop into a good LT, but I don't believe anyone labeled him as the best LT in that draft.

I think Long and Clady were generally considered the best.

I don't either.

I recall people saying he had the potential to be the best for our scheme, but nothing more than that.

I think people are confusing some of us realizing that Clady didn't fit in our scheme as saying Albert was a better prospect.

[Dave Lane]

Originally Posted by DaKCMan AP

Because that worked so well in the DV era when our o-line was all-world.

I know we were horrible. Reeally really bad team. Herm was such a great refresher after the fail that was DV.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

Not on this board.

And we are not talking about this board.

God damn, why is every****ing thing so ****ing difficult?

[Dave Lane]

Yep I have to admit it no one knows OL like CP draftniks unquestioned.

T Russell Okung - One of three finalists for the Outland Trophy, Okung allowed just one sack and two quarterback pressures all season. He was credited with 127 knockdown blocks and 58 domination blocks. OSU led the Big 12 in rushing for the fourth consecutive season.

Suckage

[Brock]

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

I know we were horrible. Reeally really bad team. Herm was such a great refresher after the fail that was DV.

In either case, 0-1 in the playoffs.

[RustShack]

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

Yep I have to admit it no one knows OL like CP draftniks unquestioned.

T Russell Okung - One of three finalists for the Outland Trophy, Okung allowed just one sack and two quarterback pressures all season. He was credited with 127 knockdown blocks and 58 domination blocks. OSU led the Big 12 in rushing for the fourth consecutive season.

Suckage

OKST doesn't pass as much as a lot of other schools, when they do pass its out of the shotgun and the ball is quickly released. Okung doesn't hold up blockers as long has he would in a Pro Style offense, and if you actually watched him play pass blocking isn't his thing. He looks better because of the spread, and a lot of college linemen don't give up sacks. Herb Taylor didn't give up sacks, that didn't make him a great NFL LT. Okung is a great run blocker, and thats what makes him a RT. RT's aren't worth top five picks. Albert is a better pass blocker, and that makes him a better LT for us. Okung can't pull to save his life, and we used Albert to pull a lot last year, and he did it well. Thats what makes him a better LT for us.

[Brock]

Originally Posted by Dave Lane

Yep I have to admit it no one knows OL like CP draftniks unquestioned.

T Russell Okung - One of three finalists for the Outland Trophy, Okung allowed just one sack and two quarterback pressures all season. He was credited with 127 knockdown blocks and 58 domination blocks. OSU led the Big 12 in rushing for the fourth consecutive season.

Suckage

Who cares if he sucks or not? Replacing a guy you already have after 2 years is idiotic.