:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/1472669/GYI0062552005.jpg)
With the 55th pick of Pride of Detroit's 2011 NFL Mock Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Miami (FL) wide receiver Leonard Hankerson. Nate D. is serving as the Chiefs' general manager, and his reasoning for the pick is below.
At pick No. 55, I was forced into a conundrum: do I draft for need and fill a hole, or do I fill a smaller hole, but also draft what I consider to be the BPA?
I understand NT is an extremely important position in the 3-4, but both Jerrell Powe and Kenrick Ellis seemed to be huge reaches for me here. Both guys are fairly inconsistent and unproven, and I could not afford to miss on picks. With that said, Matt Cassel has had just about no one to throw to the entire time he's been in Kansas City. Therefore, I took the best player on my board who fit a need (and believe me when I say a top-flight WR is a BIG need) - Leonard Hankerson.
Hankerson, a 6'3", 210-pound WR with a three-foot vertical, would be an ideal target for Cassel in KC. He may not be the best receiver in the NFL, but he reminds me of Roy Williams in that he's got decent athleticism and a lot of grit. He may not be a burner on the field, but his playing speed deserves attention. He can go up for it, something I've not seen much of from the Chiefs' other WRs.
Rather than reach for another two-down player as I avoided in the first round, I took the best logical player available approach and came out with a guy who could be our No. 2 for years.
--
Check out the 2011 Pride of Detroit Community Mock Draft tracker for a look at all of the picks.