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Kansas State Football: Cody Whitehair Ranked Top Guard

By Scott Dillon

Sep 27, 2014; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats offensive linesman Cody Whitehair (55) waits to block UTEP Miners defensive lineman Nick Usher (36) during first-quarter action at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2014; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats offensive linesman Cody Whitehair (55) waits to block UTEP Miners defensive lineman Nick Usher (36) during first-quarter action at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kansas State Football has a player that could potentially be taken in the first-round of the 2016 NFL draft. Could the KC Chiefs use his services?

Cody Whitehair is ranked as the number one offensive guard by CBS Sports. If he was to be selected in the first round it would be the Wildcats’ first selection in the first-round since Josh Freeman was taken 17th overall in 2009.

Whitehair will be attending the NFL combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis later this month. A strong showing could solidify his status on the offensive line and increase his overall ranking which currently stands at 37th.

Cody Whitehair has been a four-year starter for the Wildcats and has spent time at left tackle and left guard. While most are expecting him to play guard in the NFL, his versatility is certain to be appealing.

He earned first-team Big-12 honors in 2015 from the tackle position so he’d probably be able to assume that role in a pinch. He’s not projected to do well from that position, so it would probably be best to leave him on the interior of the line if possible.

NFL.com has great things to say about Cody Whitehair in their draft profile:

"NFL ComparisonZack MartinBottom LineWith his combination of functional strength and body control, Whitehair might be one of the safest offensive linemen in the entire draft. He will almost assuredly be bumped inside to guard, but could be considered at center as well. He has the confidence and talent to start right away and his run blocking should improve as he gets more comfortable firing out from a three-­point stance. Whitehair has the ability to be a very good starter with a ceiling that could reach the all-pro level."

Drawing a comparison to Zack Martin should be considered high-praise for Whitehair. Martin was came in third in offensive rookie of the year grading according to ProFootballFocus.com and played for the number one ranked offensive line in 2015. He was also named an All-Pro in his rookie year and has made the Pro-Bowl in both of his professional seasons.

More from Chiefs Draft Analysis

If Cody Whitehair projects to be an opening day starter and has a chance to be as solid as Zack Martin, perhaps the KC Chiefs should take a long look at the local prospect. With Jeff Allen potentially leaving via free agency, Whitehair seems like a cheaper and adequate replacement.

SB Nation put out an article looking at the top draft pick for each team based on thirty different mock drafts. Arrowhead Pride packaged up the Chiefs’ results in a different article so no one would have to wade through the other teams. In those 30 mock drafts, the Chiefs’ took Cody Whitehair with their number one pick seven percent of the time.

It’s still too early to determine what the KC  Chiefs’ needs will be when draft day arrives in late April. Until the combine and free agency have taken place every mock draft is full of speculation based on what people think will happen in free agency.

Next: Chiefs' Mock Draft Focuses On Offense

So what do you think Kansas State Football fans? Will Cody Whitehair go in the first round? Will the KC Chiefs be looking at him? Let me know in the comments’ section below.

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