The AFC West has featured a bevy of flashy running backs, so the Kansas City Chiefs decided they had better counter with a disruptive force in the trenches.
Picking fifth, the Chiefs took national defensive player of the year Glenn Dorsey, the 6-1 1/2, 313-pound defensive tackle from reigning national-champion LSU.
Despite being hobbled during the second half of the season with a knee sprain, Dorsey earned the Nagurski and Outland awards after recording 12 1/2 tackles for losses, including seven sacks. He recorded fives tackles, including four solo, against Ohio State in the national championship game.
Kansas City reportedly mulled an option of moving down but decided Dorsey was too good to pass up. Some draft analysts had Dorsey going higher.
Despite the efforts of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to streamline the draft, the Miami Dolphins and St. Louis Rams made sure it was a Long day.
As announced earlier in the week, Miami chose Michigan left tackle Jake Long with the first overall pick. St. Louis followed with Virginia defensive end Chris Long, son of hall of famer Howie Long.
Atlanta, with Michael Vick on the suspended list indefinitely, surprised nobody by taking the top quarterback on the board, Boston College’s Matt Ryan.
And has been Oakland’s philosophy for decades, the Raiders couldn’t resist a flashy playmaker and picked Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, a 6-2, 205-pounder with speed and credentials. McFadden rushed for 1,725 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior, his second year as a Heisman Trophy finalist.
Kansas City had a need at left tackle. By taking Dorsey, the chances of Boise State tackle Ryan Clady being available at the No. 12 have increased.
