Luke Joeckel may pique Chiefs’ interest at No. 1 overall

[DaneMcCloud]

http://nfl.si.com/2013/01/08/luke-jo...-no-1-overall/

For as long as Luke Joeckel remains on the draft board in April, he’s likely to be seriously considered by whichever team happens to be on the clock.

The Chiefs, by virtue of holding the No. 1 overall pick, will have first crack at the standout Texas A&M offensive tackle. Joeckel finalized his plan Tuesday to enter the 2013 NFL Draft, according to multiple reports.

The 6-foot-6 Joeckel played a key role in Johnny Manziel’s sudden takeover of college football this season. Despite playing against elite SEC talent, week in and week out, Joeckel turned in a dominant 2012 and is considered to be, for now, the top available offensive lineman for the coming draft.

How strongly Kansas City leans toward Joeckel depends on a number of factors, not the least of which being Branden Albert’s pending free agency.

The Chiefs face the usual options with Albert set to hit the market: re-sign him, let him walk or slap the franchise tag on him. That third choice would cost the Chiefs just shy of $10 million, but it’s hard to see them allowing their starting left tackle to walk.

The variable that could push them toward that money-saving decision is Joeckel. If the Chiefs convince themselves in the coming couple of weeks that Joeckel is capable of filling Albert’s shoes, that swap may make sense for new head coach Andy Reid. Kansas City also might be intrigued by the prospect of Joeckel at left tackle and Albert at guard — the Chiefs need to address their interior line, too, now that guard Ryan Lilja has decided to retire.

Unfortunately for Reid and the Chiefs, the top of this year’s draft class does not have an obvious No. 1 pick — unlike the 2012 draft, where the Colts had their choice between Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III. Given Kansas City’s obvious needs (quarterback, receiver and linebacker, for starters), that lack of a clear superstar has to be even more frustrating.

Which is why Joeckel has a shot to go No. 1, should Albert hit free agency and a huge K.C. roster hole suddenly meshes with the available draft talent.

Even if Joeckel slides past the Chiefs, though, he will find no shortage of teams interested in his talent — so much so, in a few cases, that the rest of the top 5 (Jacksonville, Oakland, Philadelphia and Detroit) might be able to swing a draft-day trade contingent on Joeckel’s availability.

But any of that quartet also could make a case for Joeckel early. Both the Jaguars and Raiders had huge issues at right tackle; the Eagles struggled all over their line (save for Evan Mathis), and are still awaiting Jason Peters’ return from an Achilles injury; and the Lions might be shorthanded, even with 2012 first-rounder Riley Reiff in tow, if Jeff Backus retires and Gosder Cherilus leaves in free agency.

All those teams will have to wait to see what the Chiefs do as a 2013 draft opener. Given Joeckel’s potential as an NFL lineman and the lack of elite prospects, a match could be made at No. 1 overall.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Mr_Tomahawk

I'd be fine if we take him. I'd be happy.

But there are people on this forum that are willing to alienate this regime if they don't pick him with the #1 overall pick...because he is can't miss.

I, like others, am not going to judge this regime off of one pick. I am willing to give them a couple of seasons to see how they build the QB position.

Geno isn't the ONLY solution to our QB problems...many on this board don't understand that.

Pretty much ALL of the Geno fans, myself included, have said they will either not support this regime or at least be very upset if they don't draft A QB.

It doesn't HAVE to be Geno Smith but it does have to be a QB.

[The Bad Guy]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

It's obvious you're coming into this mid-conversation. I will leave it at that.

I've posted mid conversation, but I've read this back and forth for days.

[Mr_Tomahawk]

Originally Posted by SNR

**** that. Are you going to eat crow if Tyler Wilson isn't a great NFL QB?

Yes.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by R8ers

More chance of him being a bust 10 fold than a HOF QB

Nah.

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by R8ers

JR was a helluva lot better in College than Geno

No, he did not.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by Mr_Tomahawk

Yes.

Why? You don't owe anybody anything.

[BossChief]

If we hadn't gotten Andy Reid, I would say there is a chance Geno Smith busts if we pick him...with Andy Reid though, I put the probability of that happening at a very low number.

Seriously, I bet Andy Reid already has a plan in place for the guys we will target to put around Geno.

[Mr_Tomahawk]

Originally Posted by SNR

Why? You don't owe anybody anything.

I've pimped him up enough here. If he flops, I have no problem saying I was wrong.

[R8RFAN]

just trying to keep you star gazers in check.... Yall have high hopes

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by Mr_Tomahawk

I've pimped him up enough here. If he flops, I have no problem saying I was wrong.

There's a difference between observing reality and eating crow.

If Geno Smith is terrible, I'm going to say he's terrible. That should be an obvious assumption.

[R8RFAN]

Make some good picks and you will probably be ready to go to the SB in about 5 years

[Mr_Tomahawk]

Originally Posted by SNR

There's a difference between observing reality and eating crow.

If Geno Smith is terrible, I'm going to say he's terrible. That should be an obvious assumption.

It's better than making excuses for him...

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

I've posted mid conversation, but I've read this back and forth for days.

This started WEEKS ago.

I know you know me and I am not being disrespectful when I say you're looking at this without context.

Seriously, there was LEGITIMATE conversation going on. And then we got invaded.

Let me ask you this: you're not "all in" on Geno. How would you react if someone told you Matt Cassel is a better option than drafting a QB like Geno Smith?

How about this scenario?

Troll posts over and over in Geno thread about RG3.

Several people say "Geno isn't like RG3 at all". One poster goes on to say "Geno might actually be a better prospect at this point, don't know if RG3 can stay healthy."

Trolls new mantra is "all you guys think Geno is better than RG3".

This is the kind of stuff we've been subjected to dozens of times EVERY DAY.

[Coach]

I'll say that if the Chiefs selected Yuckel, a lot of things are going to be broken in the household...

[BIG K]

I am really feeling positive now that some of my most respected posters are discussing which QB should go number #1 for the Chiefs, instead of reading and posting against the moranic idea that LT should be drafted number #1 as the title of the thread!

BTW, I personally pick Geno.