The Chiefs Drafted...Well?

We've been cautioned and chastened by many a pundit over the years that it takes years to properly assess the success of any given draft. That may be true, but with the Chiefs unloading Jared Allen to the Vikings for picks, it was important for them to make a splash. Everything seemed to go their way, with Glenn Dorsey, considered by many the top defensive prospect, dropping to them at 5. Later in the first, they were able to trade up to nab Branden Albert, who had been projected as a possible top 10 pick, at 15. Coupled with the second round choice of solid, albeit undersized, corner Brandon Flowers and it's hard not to be excited for once in Kansas City. And the Chiefs have nine more picks today. Sleep well, Aaron Rodgers: As if the Packers new starter didn't have enough pressure placed on him, the Pack went out and grabbed Louisville's Brian Brohm near the end of the second round. With the next selection, the Dolphins got Michigan's Chad Henne, possibly signaling doom for the prosperous John Beck era in Miami.

Zorning in America: It seems the new Redskins coach has some interesting designs on the offense, taking two receivers and a tight end with Washington's three second round picks. Country cousin Jason Campbell must be thrilled to get a receiver taller than 5' 3".

Icy Draft: A lot of analysts had nice things to say about the Falcons' choice of Matt Ryan at no. 3. Less pleased are Falcons fans themselves, who have far fewer plaudits for the pick. Some Titans fans are similarly bemused with their team's stubborn refusal to take anyone to help the passing game.

Homerism alert: It's a day later and I'm still confounded by the Steelers first round choice of Rashard Mendenhall. A lot of Steelers fans never came around on Fast Willie Parker, preferring the power back model of old. Parker's propensity to fumble didn't help matters either, but Mendenhall hasn't fared any better in that regard. Parker's season-ended injury late last year wasn't expected to have any lasting repercussions and they had at least an adequate back-up in Najeh Davenport. With more pressing needs (say, offensive and defensive lines) it's hard to understand a pick that might have been inspired from two torchings by the tandem of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew.