Re-examining the Kansas City Chiefs' options at No. 1
 

http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-mock-dra...ptions-at-no-1

Re-examining the Kansas City Chiefs' options at No. 1
Kansas City filled many of the team's biggest needs in free agency and a deal to acquire quarterback Alex Smith. How does that change the Chiefs' plans for the top pick?
By Dan Kadaron
Mar 15 2013, 11:17a

The Kansas City Chiefs have been active in the past few weeks. They've traded for Alex Smith, eliminating the need for a quarterback. They've added cornerbacks Dunta Robinson and Sean Smith, so a cornerback like Dee Milliner is out of consideration.

The Chiefs have eliminated several needs, but the choice with the first overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft is far from set.

Trade out

The dream scenario. Add more picks and still land a good player. That dream is becoming more of a reality following Geno Smith's pro day. The buzz is growing that Smith won't drop out of the top 10 picks. No team in the top 10 needs a quarterback more than the Buffalo Bills. But the Jacksonville Jaguars sent a small army of key personnel men to Smith's pro day. The Philadelphia Eagles put him through a heavy workout on Monday. The Arizona Cardinals are depending on Drew Stanton. So there are plenty of options for the Chiefs to trade down.

Most ideally may be a trade with the Jaguars, who had at least six people at the pro day. It wouldn't cost a lot for the Jaguars to swap picks with Kansas City. This year's first and third-round pick may get the job done. Maybe even less. Don't forget, the whole regime in Jacksonville – including owner Shahid Khan – weren't involved in the selection of Blaine Gabbert. Being at No. 2 would allow the Chiefs to still take the top player on their draft board.

As you move down the top 10 with Philadelphia at No. 4, Arizona at No. 7 and Buffalo at No. 8, the price of a trade would only get greater.

Don't be surprised if Andy Reid hints at a trade at some point soon. That will only spark more interest in the pick.

An offensive tackle

The Chiefs are expected to sign offensive tackle Geoff Schwartz, but that shouldn't change Kansas City's need at the position. Nor should taking Donald Stephenson a year ago. If tackle is the pick for Kansas City, they're looking at Luke Joeckel of Texas A&M and Eric Fisher of Central Michigan.

There is some credence to Fisher being the pick. He's more athletic, bigger and even played right tackle some in college. Joeckel is the more pro-ready technician. Both should excel at left tackle in the NFL. What that means for Brandon Albert's long-term future is unknown. We'd ask what he thought about playing right tackle, but he deleted his Twitter account when that question was posed.

Dion Jordan

The Chiefs sent head coach Andy Reid, general manager John Dorsey and their entire defensive staff to Oregon's pro day Thursday. You don't send the entire defensive staff out West to check out linebacker Kiko Alonso – a hard-charging, mid-round prospect.

Although Jordan didn't work out, it's a safe guess to think Reid and Kansas City's other coaches spoke at some length with Jordan.

But how does Jordan fit on Kansas City's roster? In their 3-4 defense, he'd play outside linebacker. He's a superb coverage linebacker, even at 6-foot-6. As a pass rusher, he'll only get better as he gets stronger. Jordan has the tools and potential to be considered the top overall pick.

Another trade down option could be BYU defensive end Ezekiel Ansah, Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones or LSU defensive end Barkevious Mingo. Jordan may be the best choice of those four because he's a better all-around player and has the most potential.

Star Lotulelei

The Chiefs signed defensive end Mike DeVito, but that shouldn't stop the Chiefs from taking a look at Lotulelei. If his health checks out fine, he's the best defensive lineman in the draft this year. For the Chiefs he can play inside or outside. They have some pieces, but Lotuelei would fit right in. Just look at what the Browns did adding Desmond Bryant despite having solid to good veterans Ahtyba Rubin and Phil Taylor and promising second-year players John Hughes and Billy Winn. A team can never have too many defensive linemen and that would be the notion behind taking Lotulelei.

I'm convinced you don't have a life outside of CP and you are probably an undiagnosed manic-depressive(bipolar) endlessly stuck on manic.

Lithium or depakote anyone?

Tamba Hali is getting paid a shit ton this year. Then his salary goes down to 6.2 Mil in 2014... I wouldn't be opposed to figuring out what to do once Hali really starts deteriorating. Even if that means drafting his replacement in the 1st this year. Such little talk about Jarvis Jones lately. And IMO he still ends up being the best pass rusher in this class. But I think he will get pushed around when teams run off tackle.

I refuse to discount Geno Smith. :deevee:

How in the **** does trading for Alex Smith eliminate the need for taking a QB? You do realize the backups we have to this second coming of Matt Cassel have NEVER EVER thrown a regular season pass?

I think Chiefs should draft Geno to hold him for ransom all SanDiego.

How can you miss Daniel's 9 regular season pass attempts before blowing up the words "never ever?"

The Chiefs may not be "done" with the QB position, but after trading for Alex Smith and then signing Daniel to a 3/10 deal I think it's pretty obvious that a QB is not going to come until we are firmly in the "***** zone."

I just see things pointing towards Jarvis Jones as linebacker is a position of need and he's rated a top 5 prospect. But my gut feeling still goes with Fisher with Albert not in a long term contract plus a need at RT.

The dream scenario is not to trade down. The dream scenario is to draft Geno. If Reid is blinded by his man-crush on Alex Cassel, then we have to trade down to improve the team. Getting an LT almost as good as our existing LT does not improve the team. Getting any D-lineman in a 3-4 is not an impact player. Too soon to take a corner, safety, WR, or ILB -- so, yeah, trade down and get a first rounder next year we can package with our own #16 pick to try and get a QB next year when Reid realizes just how timid AS is.

I think what they've done is eliminate all immediate needs from the starting lineup. Each gaping hole has been filled with an at least serviceable player. Now you can truly go into the draft and just stay true to your board. Pretty smart, really.

I think it's going to be a trade down. I think someone like Arizona or Buffalo is going to throw a #1 and #2 at us to get Geno. Then I think we'll end up with a Barkley, Manuel or Nassib.

I'd be okay with that.

Except for the gaping hole at ILB.

I've seen a lot of speculation here about Buffalo trading up to #1. I don't know though. Considering the cost, they may feel that keeping their draft picks and just drafting the best of who's there from Barkley, Glennon or Nassib may be be better. If a trade for Geno happens, Jax or Philly seem more likely.

Oh well shit in that case carry on, now we have a true seasoned backup in there. FML!

TO THE SHIP!!!!!!!!!

I agree to the point we need a veteran backup. But Reid has said Chase #2.

If we take a QB, to your point, they to will never ever have thrown a regular season pass.

You've got a point...Drafting Andre Ware will give us someone who has 163 throwing attempts in the NFL.

Shit, sorry...I meant Geno Smith.

Shit again...I meant 0 attempts in the NFL.