NFL Draft 2011: Chiefs' Scott Pioli Gives State of the Draft Address

Scott Pioli Opens Up About the Chiefs 2011 NFL Draft Philosophy

Scott Pioli recently opened up to the Kansas City Star about his thoughts leading up to the 2011 NFL Draft. Pioli told the Star that the Chiefs were going to select UCLA linebacker Akeem Ayers with their first selection.

Okay, no he didn't?I made that up. He did not let on at all about what player the Chiefs were targeting, other than the fact that he shed some insight on the philosophy. Pioli:

"I don?t think there?s a position on this football team where there isn?t a need. Something I feel strongly about and Todd (Haley) feels strongly about is the mentality we had in New England. It doesn?t matter who you have at any position . . . you?re never set at any one position.

''There are bad things that can happen to players and your team so you better be ready for the next player. So we have a need at every position. Some are ranked higher than others for immediacy but that doesn?t mean you run from another position. It goes into trying to find the delicate balance between best player available and need.

''It?s obvious to people what people perceive and what we perceive the needs are but you also have to think ahead. You can?t focus in a one-year or even a two-year frame of thinking because then you set yourself up for failure when you?re trying to build a consistent winner.''

So there you have it. The Chiefs are not going to focus on a position. They are just going to take the best player available. If the Chiefs staunchly adhere to this philosophy we can cross off Baylor nose tackle Phil Taylor off.

Taylor has been my choice for the Chiefs, but he is not the 21st best player in the draft. He is more commonly rated in the 30s, but he is also the highest rated pure nose tackle available. 

At No. 21 the Chiefs are likely to find the best available player at defensive end, outside linebacker or offensive tackle.

For Bleacher Report's full draft coverage of all teams be sure to check out the NFL Draft Center.

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