(Don’t miss Allen Vaughan’s live blog of the first round of the NFL Draft tonight beginning at 6:15 p.m.)

After the Rams take Ndamukong Suh at No. 1 The Kansas City Chiefs keep tonight’s first round locally (almost) immediately interesting with the fifth choice.

To say that the Chiefs need a lot out of the 2010 draft would be an understatement. The early impression is that of 2009′s crop, just one player – Mr. Irrelevant- made a great impact. That’s not to say that DE Tyson Jackson won’t develop into a defensive play-maker, but he didn’t look close last year, and a (really good) kicker in Ryan Succop doesn’t scream “successful draft.” Late-season (ahem) competitiveness – and boat-racing the Donkeys – and some offseason signings (quietly good – G Ryan Lilja) leave a bit of wiggle room for optimism. That all depends on filling needs in the draft with players who can make an immediate impact – something that escaped GM Scott Pioli a year ago.

The Chiefs filled in the middle of their offensive line, but there’s still a huge piece missing opposite Branden Albert at offensive tackle. The safety position is a huge question mark, as well. Jon McGraw was never the answer, and Mike Brown is … old. Thankfully, both positions are well-suited for the fifth spot. Here are five scenarios with the Chiefs No. 5 pick (in order of how I’d like to see it go).

First, we’ve got to know what’s taken:
1. St. Louis Rams: Sam Bradford
2. Detroit Lions: Ndamukong Suh
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gerald McCoy
4. Washington Redskins: Russell Okung

Scenario No. 1

Tennessee's Eric Berry has been compared to Baltimore's Ed Reed. High praise.

* With the fifth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Eric Berry, S, Tennessee: The Chiefs need defenders who make plays. They haven’t had that since the Jared Allen trade (and don’t say Derrick Johnson, he had one day). Eric Berry is ready to play and in his time as a Volunteer (I used to say I hated having to watch predominantly SEC games) showed versatility to roam and cover. He’s a natural ball hawk and would be the highest rated player at the position. In the Kansas City Star, yesterday, it was questioned whether Pioli would invest top five money for a safety. The pay should be per player not per position. Draft the best available player. Always.

Scenario No. 2

Oklahoma State's Russell Okung

* With the fifth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Russell Okung, OT, Oklahoma State: In reality, of all these scenarios, this is the most likely. If Okung is available, he’s going to be a Chief. The Redskins are likely to scoop him up (according to most), but, if available, Okung would round out a solid front five in K.C. (been a while since that’s been said – Albert-Lilja-Wiegman-Waters-Okung!! Now, we’re talkin’).

Scenario No. 3

* With the fifth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Bryan Bulaga, OT, Iowa: It’s said that after Okung, Trent Williams of Oklahoma might be the most talented tackle in the class, but Pioli and Haley are character guys. They don’t want players with long histories or reputations as noisemakers. If Okung is off the board, Bulaga is next best high class player available. He’s a thick, NFL ready guy who you wouldn’t hear much from, but it’d be a good thing.

Scenario No. 4

* With the ninth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama: I wouldn’t be surprised to see Pioli try to pick up another fifth rounder and drop to pick up a needed linebacker. Buffalo owns the ninth pick, but is probably looking for an offensive lineman as well. Alabama’s Rolando McClain or Mizzou’s Sean Witherspoon are both speedy, wrap up tacklers who could help shore up the middle of the Chiefs D.

Scenario No. 5

How the hell did a photo of Jimmy Clausen end up in the Chiefs scenarios?

* With the fifth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Eric Berry and with the eighth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Jimmy Clausen, QB, Notre Dame: WHAT????? Yes, this is obviously far fetched and all for fun. I believe one of the top three scenarios are locked in, but think about this: Early in voluntaries, there were rumors of new Offensive Coordinator Charlie Weis and QB Matt Cassel already at odds. Weis has man-crushed on Clausen since he started shopping for donuts in Indiana. The Chiefs ship Cassel and a fifth-rounder to Oakland for the No. 8, where they finally land the franchise guy (Cassel just doesn’t fill me with confidence. It’s that simple. I have a deep hatred for Notre Dame football, so this was an even tougher scenario to type. Clausen, however, is the real deal.)

Enjoy the first round tonight! We’ll be back tomorrow to evaluate and look at later rounds.