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

Direckshun · 03-17-2013, 11:05 AM

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.

03-17-2013, 11:05 AM	Topic Starter
Direckshun __ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Springpatch Casino cash: $4433447	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.
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