2021 NFL Draft: Alabama sets first-round pick record in 2-round mock draft
By John Blair
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, 31st overall
Alabama. Landon Dickerson. C. 31. player. 124. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
The surprising Kansas City Chiefs’ loss in the Super Bowl was largely due to their below-average offensive line. The team allowed Patrick Mahomes to be pressured 52% of the time he dropped back and to be sacked a total of three times. Even though the Chiefs were playing with several backups among the offensive line, this is an area the team must address this offseason.
The biggest weakness on the Chiefs offensive line is at offensive tackle as both Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher are coming off significant injuries. However, the team needs to address the interior of the offensive line as the team has plenty of questions here as well.
Since the team has so many questions on its offensive line I have them taking one of the more versatile players in the 2021 NFL Draft in Alabama offensive lineman Landon Dickerson. While Dickerson spent the 2020 season at center he has played every position on the offensive line and could easily play either center or guard in the NFL. This versatility would give the Chiefs several offensive line options on how to rebuild their weakest unit.
As a player, Dickerson has been one of the most dominant offensive linemen in football as he was the winner of the Rimington Trophy this year which goes to the best center in college football. He also was named a second-team All-SEC pick in 2019 when he split time at both guard and center. His top asset as a blocker is his impressive strength as he has the power to open lanes in the running game and also the ability to stop the powerful defensive tackles he will see in the NFL.
If the team decided to take an offensive guard at this position either Notre Dame’s Liam Eichenberg or Texas’s Samuel Cosmi would make sense with this pick.