Sorry, Jets, Pats; Allen deal means top DE going to K.C.

Memo to Eric Mangini: If you're looking to draft Ohio State's Vernon Gholston here's a suggestion.

Get ahead of Kansas City.

Vernon Gholston has become a hot commodity. (US Presswire)

I'm not saying the Chiefs take Gholston, but I am saying they're taking a defensive end with the fifth pick of Saturday's draft. That seems clear after their trade with Minnesota, a blockbuster deal that sent Jared Allen to the Vikings in exchange for Minnesota's first-round pick (the 17th overall), two thirds and a swap of sixths.

Until now Kansas City had been looking at an offensive lineman or Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan with its first-round choice, with Ryan a long shot. But the exit of the NFL's sack leader leaves a void at defensive end, and the Chiefs are advised to fill it with their first pick rather than the 17th.

That takes us back to Gholston. He's the second-rated defensive end on most draft boards behind Virginia's Chris Long, and he's coveted by the Jets at the sixth position and the New England Patriots at the seventh spot.

You have to figure that St. Louis, Atlanta or Oakland chooses Long with its pick, which could -- or should -- leave Gholston there at the fifth spot.

But let's say St. Louis, Atlanta and Oakland do the unimaginable, and pass on Long. That would leave Kansas City with the choice of Chris Long or Vernon Gholston at the fifth position.

Ah, ain't life sweet.

That's when the Chiefs strike -- provided, of course, the Jets or New England doesn't step in ahead of them. But if they're sold on Gholston or Long, I'd recommend it because there's a better chance of Chad Johnson sitting out the next three seasons than the Chiefs passing on either of those two.

And one should be there, with Gholston the more likely candidate.

He certainly fills a need. He had a school-record 14 sacks last year, including the only one surrendered all season by No. 1 pick, Jake Long. OK, so he's inconsistent, producing 11 of his sacks in four games, but I can't forget what one general manager told me about Gholston.

"When I look at him I see Carl Banks," he said. "I guarantee he produces double-digit sacks his rookie season."

I don't know about that, but I do know he should be front and center on the Chiefs' radar. The loss of Allen subtracts 15.5 sacks from the lineup, which means someone has to step in to make a difference.