News: The Kansas City Chiefs filled one of their biggest needs with a massive gamble, selecting Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe with the No. 11 pick in the NFL draft Thursday night, taking a mammoth run stuffer whose raw ability and impressive numbers from the scouting combine trumped his modest on-field production. The 6-foot-4, 346-pound Poe pushed 44 reps with 225 pounds and ran the 40-yard dash in an unofficial time of 4.98 seconds. But he was only second-team all-Conference USA after making 33 stops, eight tackles for loss and one sack, flying under the radar most of last season. "We think he's a good player. I think that's probably the best way to put it," Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli said. "I don't think this is as risky of a pick. Here's what's not risky about the player: The player fits the mold of the type of player we were looking for physically, for that position. He fits a need to a degree. He fits everything we believe in makeup-wise. This is not a risky player in a sense that I know, and we know, we have a football player who will come in and do a great job."
Analysis: Poe is expected to slide into the middle of Kansas City's 3-4 defense and take the place of Kelly Gregg, although coach Romeo Crennel was quick to say that Poe must earn the starting job. We think Poe will help slow down opposing run games but not be in a position to put up many stats. He's worth a late pick in rookie-only drafts only.
