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.

[RealSNR]

Albert has been a quality LT in the NFL way longer than he's been a guard in college. That'd be like asking Matt Cassel to move to third string TE at this point.

...okay, bad example

[Rambozo]

If he gets paid like a top 5 LT and gets a new contract before the season starts, I don't think he'll care where he plays.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by Rambozo

If he gets paid like a top 5 LT and gets a new contract before the season starts, I don't think he'll care where he plays.

Paying him top 5 LT money and moving him to guard would be stupid as hell.

[Titty Meat]

Lolol albert is pissed dumbass chiefs fans are about to run another good player out of town.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Bo's Pelini

Lolol albert is pissed dumbass chiefs fans are about to run another good player out of town.

Who?

[Frosty]

Has Albert said anything about his back?

[BossChief]

Originally Posted by Bo's Pelini

Lolol albert is pissed dumbass chiefs fans are about to run another good player out of town.

LOL WUT?

[Rambozo]

Originally Posted by Frosty

Paying him top 5 LT money and moving him to guard would be stupid as hell.

We are like $30 million under the cap in 2013 and we haven't cut Jackson or Cassel. We can easily afford it if we want to. It's not going to be easy to spend $40 million or whatever it will be. The new CBA will require is to spend at least 90% of the cap this year. We could frontload the hell out of Albert's contract.

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by Rambozo

We are like $30 million under the cap in 2013 and we haven't cut Jackson or Cassel. We can easily afford it if we want to. It's not going to be easy to spend $40 million or whatever it will be. The new CBA will require is to spend at least 90% of the cap this year. We could frontload the hell out of Albert's contract.

Ummm...

okay

[BossChief]

They are saying that Albert says he wants to station KC and be here for a long time!

Said they are in negotiations, but won't talk about details.

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by BossChief

LOL WUT?

Did you not hear Brandon Albert randomly calling into 610 saying he wont play guard? He seems annoyed people keep saying hes a guard.

[BossChief]

"I'm NOT a guard. Point blank."

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by BossChief

They are saying that Albert says he wants to station KC and be here for a long time!

Said they are in negotiations, but won't talk about details.

[Rambozo]

Originally Posted by Frosty

Ummm...

okay

You're right.. Currently, we have $16 million in cap space. After we cut Cassel and Jackson we would free up a lot more putting us in the $30 - $40 million range. If we keep Jackson this year, he gets paid some ridiculas ($14 million?). Cassel would get about $10 million I think. The end product is the same and we will have to spend it.

[BossChief]

I love that Albert just randomly called in and said he wants to stay in KC long term.