Mock drafts are silly guesses that mean absolutely nothing.

As college basketball fans watch their NCAA brackets crumble under huge upsets, it only goes to show that even the most well-informed predictions bow humbly to crushing reality.

Yet, eager for the NFL draft to begin I succumb to the meaningless speculations as most true fans do.

The intent is to be informed enough to get excited when management’s decisions coincide with my own desires, while embracing optimism when selections go contrary to my whims.

Fans will not execute the picks for Kansas City on April 22-24, but they have every right to their opinions.

With an increasing number of analysts predicting Sam Bradford to go number one overall it appears more likely that offensive tackle Russell Okung, safety Eric Berry, or even one of the two marquee defensive tackles will fall to the Chiefs.

This being true, my question is, “Would the selection of offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga then be a disappointment?”

Bulaga was coached under offensive line guru and friend of Scott Pioli, Kirk Ferentz, widely considered on O-line guru.

The Iowa product is noted as being perhaps the most pro-ready tackle in the draft, but may have already reached his maximum potential.

Believed to be a more-than-capable starting left tackle the words “pro bowl” have not been thrown around in reference to Bulaga.

A mauling run blocker with a mean streak, there’s nothing to concern fans about his personality.

This pick strikes me as “safe,” and perhaps the problem is simply that safe is boring.

Fans will just about riot if Bulaga is selected while Okung is still on the board.  However, I think the bigger prize to be missed is Berry.

How good was the Steelers’ Super Bowl defense without an injured Troy Polamalu?

What do the Baltimore Ravens lack without Ed Reed?

The nature of the safety position provides the opportunity for a game-changer to emerge.  No one is put in the position to force a turnover more often than the safety.

Therefore it is important that safeties not simply be functional, but exceptional.

Is Bulaga more than a functional lineman?  Even so, is he worth passing on a potentially exceptional safety?

Ironically enough, while I am subject to my own opinions, whatever the Chiefs and Pioli decide to do on draft day I will hope with all my might that they know better than I.

If Bulaga is our choice I will rally behind the decision and not look at the “what-if,” but when recent picks such as Tyson Jackson show a glaring discrepancy to their draft position it causes a hernia-like pain within the gut of fans.

The name Ryan Sims can still stir up nightmares in Chiefs’ nation.

While Bulaga is not a likely “bust,” if Bradford indeed goes number one overall there’s too much possibly elite talent available to pass on.