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.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by BIG K

Completely understandable about Reid. I am hopeful but cautious. I am however, sold on Geno. Even if he does fail, I will respect this organization for trying to select, and develop a franchise QB. Any other pick in my mind, is wasted and playing it 'safe' as they have done for almost 30 years.

It's time.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by milkman

It's time.

It's our time.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

It's our time.

What's the single over 50 internet match site got to do with anything?

[ChiefsCountry]

Just judging on how these things play out - if the Chiefs hit with Barkley or Geno, we would be looking more than likely playing in the 50th anniversary of the Super Bowl. Talk about something that would be damn cool.

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by R8ers

When do the Cheapos officially start the new 5 year plan?

Are you at all capable of conversing about football without trolling?

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Just judging on how these things play out - if the Chiefs hit with Barkley or Geno, we would be looking more than likely playing in the 50th anniversary of the Super Bowl. Talk about something that would be damn cool.

It would be 30 years since the last time we drafted a first round QB, too.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by BossChief

It would be 30 years since the last time we drafted a first round QB, too.

If Smith is anywhere near the 93.0 ranking given by NFL.com (I dislike the guy critiquing, but whatever), there's no way that the Andy Reid passes.

[Hootie]

just so everyone knows

the draft odds for the Chiefs to take Okung the night before the draft were 1:1

it wasn't until early the next day where the bookmakers figured out Berry was going to be the pick and dropped Okung all the way down to 5:1

I remember this because I bet 9:4 on 'any other position' the first day after the Super Bowl because I went with CP and predicted Berry so I was following very closely.

This was a great day to be a Chiefs fan for me. They won me a lot of $$$, they got Berry (our guy) and the Broncos drafted Tebow. I loved this day.

[Ugly Duck]

Originally Posted by R8ers

Don't be disappointed if the Chiefs opt for free agency for a QB rather than Geno...

There's a diarrhea-load of speculation in cyberspace about what KC will do about a QB.

Some of the diarrhea has the Chiefs getting Alex Smith or Matt Flynn & then drafting Geno at #1 anyway.... let 'em battle it out in camp...

Originally Posted by Peyton's Princess

the Broncos drafted Tebow. I loved this day.

It was a wonderful day.... I loved it, too. Remember all the KnowMo crap about teh Tebow? Great memories!

[Crush]

Originally Posted by Peyton's Princess

just so everyone knows

the draft odds for the Chiefs to take Okung the night before the draft were 1:1

it wasn't until early the next day where the bookmakers figured out Berry was going to be the pick and dropped Okung all the way down to 5:1

I remember this because I bet 9:4 on 'any other position' the first day after the Super Bowl because I went with CP and predicted Berry so I was following very closely.

This was a great day to be a Chiefs fan for me. They won me a lot of $$$, they got Berry (our guy) and the Broncos drafted Tebow. I loved this day.

Wait... you bet on the NFL Draft?

[R8RFAN]

That OT is going to be great .. He is the best player available and thats how the Chiefs will pick... I have never known the Cheaps to take many chances.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

If Smith is anywhere near the 93.0 ranking given by NFL.com (I dislike the guy critiquing, but whatever), there's no way that the Andy Reid passes.

Yep.

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Frank,

Look at the arguments AGAINST Geno.

The spin is a reaction. It may not be right but it is what it is. The pro-Geno crowd has spent 4 months listening to shit like comparisons to Vince Young and Aaron Brooks.

And when that stupid shot gets played out, BlackBob starts another mult account and starts it up again.

You want to see the Geno fans be more realistic? Find a way to get the reeruns to go the **** away.

htismaqe, I love you man but you are going into the chicken and egg territory here. Who cares who started it? There are many unanswered questions about Geno Smith. Maybe they will be answered or maybe not after the combine. I for one have never compared GS to the names you mentioned, but I get treated like I'm all against drafting him. I'm not. IF, and I know it's a big if, we get an intriguing trade down offer to where the FO feels we still have a reasonable chance that he still will be there later, I say go for it. If it backfires and somebody takes him, I say the next guy (pending combine data) is not such a bad compensation if we have gotten extra picks/players for this team. I know you understand this post, but for those who still don't get it, I'M TALKING ABOUT A BIG ****ING IF!

I digress,... If with the incomplete info that we have right now on these QBs, a gun was held to my head and I was told to only pick a QB with the top pick of the draft now, that pick would be Geno Smith. All the while crossing my fingers tightly on one hand and holding my nose with the other.

You are a good poster here, and you don't have to agree with me to hold my respect. That said, I think your post here in itself is an inadvertent spin to justify the attitude of the Geno groupies. Most of the older ones were this way about Brady Quinn when HE was coming up on draft too. They all resorted to name calling every time anyone posted an anti Quinn post.

I was firmly anti-Quinn then and took profane salvos for it. I'm not Geno-or-bust now and I'm still taking them. WTF?!!!

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

I'm not a Geno hater. I think he should be the pick. But those painting him as this can't miss, flawless prospect, and want to re-create the bad game matrix are ****ing stupid.

THIS. Some here have elevated this guy to sacred religious proportions, where if you raise any doubts about him you have blasphemed. It's ****ing ridiculous.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Frankie

htismaqe, I love you man but you are going into the chicken and egg territory here. Who cares who started it?

In terms of the CONTEXT of the conversation, it absolutely matters "who started it".

The "Geno is God" stuff didn't start until after the conversation was overrun with trolls. The conversation prior was FAR more objective but arguing with stupidity gets redundant and fruitless after a while. It's much easier to fight fire with fire - the "Geno is God" stuff was a last resort, not a first.

Originally Posted by Frankie

I for one have never compared GS to the names you mentioned, but I get treated like I'm all against drafting him.

Welcome to Chiefsplanet. If you're not black, you're white. There's no such thing as grey here. Ever.

Originally Posted by Frankie

You are a good poster here, and you don't have to agree with me to hold my respect. That said, I think your post here in itself is an inadvertent spin to justify the attitude of the Geno groupies.

Justify? No. It's an explanation. I'm providing context.