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.

[ModSocks]

Originally Posted by O.city

Even more disturbing, is that from what I've heard on the radio, some people actually want the first option to come from trading for someone's backup.


I don't understand. Are they just scared that if we draft one he'll bust? They only are willing to draft a sure thing?

I have a theory.

I think it's the "casual" fan's way of expressing how big their football IQ is. They feel that they understand the ins & outs of the NFL draft better than everyone else. They are critical thinkers. You QB or bust people are just bandwagoners who don't see the big picture.

"Trade back! the VALUE isn't there. If he's projected as the 10th best prospect, trade back to 8 and get him there!" <------ One of the most over used and ridiculous arguments out there. It's as if they think we are picking 15th overall or something.

"Draft one in the second round and let him sit a year or two" <----- Usually said right after the "value" argument. They feel that young QB's can't have early success. Clear sign that they still think it's 1995.

"Take a LT, teams are built from the inside out" <------ more proof they still live in 1995.

"Bring in Alex Smith for a year or two" <-----conceding that mediocrity is good enough....at least for a year or two and then it's time to trade for our next Back up QBoTF.

All of these things make them smarter than you. They understand how the NFL works.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

I have a theory.

I think it's the "casual" fan's way of expressing how big their football IQ is. They feel that they understand the ins & outs of the NFL draft better than everyone else. They are critical thinkers. You QB or bust people are just bandwagoners who don't see the big picture.

"Trade back! the VALUE isn't there. If he's projected as the 10th best prospect, trade back to 8 and get him there!" <------ One of the most over used and ridiculous arguments out there. It's as if they think we are picking 15th overall or something.

"Draft one in the second round and let him sit a year or two" <----- Usually said right after the "value" argument. They feel that young QB's can't have early success. Clear sign that they still think it's 1995.

"Take a LT, teams are built from the inside out" <------ more proof they still live in 1995.

"Bring in Alex Smith for a year or two" <-----conceding that mediocrity is good enough....at least for a year or two and then it's time to trade for our next Back up QBoTF.

All of these things make them smarter than you. They understand how the NFL works.

Yeah, I guess.


In the end, I think it's that most of them are actually, True Fans. They just want the Chiefs to win 8 or 9 games, parking lots to be bbq smelling and smoke filled and the stadium to be full. They see these other guys, who they've watched be somewhat successful in the league and they think that way is less risky.

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by O.city

Even more disturbing, is that from what I've heard on the radio, some people actually want the first option to come from trading for someone's backup.


I don't understand. Are they just scared that if we draft one he'll bust? They only are willing to draft a sure thing?

And the real tragedy is that they are happy with someone else's backup. The backup. Not the starter, the guy that is behind the starter. Let's get that ****ing guy because he's got to be so good that the other team is willing to let them go versus the guy who is starting.

The ****ing backup.

That's the history of the Chiefs QB position.

30 ****ing years since we took a QB in the first round.

28 ****ing years since a QB they have drafted has even won a game.

20 years since we've won a playoff game.

See a pattern here?

The backup.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

And the real tragedy is that they are happy with someone else's backup. The backup. Not the starter, the guy that is behind the starter. Let's get that ****ing guy because he's got to be so good that the other team is willing to let them go versus the guy who is starting.

The ****ing backup.

That's the history of the Chiefs QB position.

30 ****ing years since we took a QB in the first round.

28 ****ing years since a QB they have drafted has even won a game.

20 years since we've won a playoff game.

See a pattern here?

The backup.

Yeah, if we were trading for someone else's starter, fine.

But it's a backup. The 2nd best QB on another squad.

[Rambozo]

Originally Posted by O.city

Even more disturbing, is that from what I've heard on the radio, some people actually want the first option to come from trading for someone's backup.


I don't understand. Are they just scared that if we draft one he'll bust? They only are willing to draft a sure thing?

There are a lot of people who feel like there is not a QB in this class who is ready to start from day one. I'm not one of those people. I think Wilson is ready now. I'm just saying that there are a ton of people who feel that way.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Rambozo

There are a lot of people who feel like there is not a QB in this class who is ready to start from day one. I'm not one of those people. I think Wilson is ready now. I'm just saying that there are a ton of people who feel that way.

The thing is, even if there isn't a guy there ready to start day 1, do you sacrifice the long term goal of winning a Super Bowl in order to go 9-7 next year?

It's like a large portion of this fanbase would rather have Alex Smith than Aaron Rodgers.

[BradBigglestein]

I'm interested to see who Reid and the Chiefs take #1, because it could be closely tied to the player the Eagles take. if Joeckel is there, the Eagles could take him, and slide Herremans back inside at guard.

Also, I doubt it, but Chip Kelly could possibly be intrigued by Geno Smith. So if KC passes on him, there is another angle. I can't wait until April.

Originally Posted by htismaqe

Dude, this is Chiefsplanet, 2013 edition.

There's nothing here EXCEPT hyperbole. Everything is an over-the-top parody.

You CANNOT HAVE a rational, logical discussion anymore. It's simply not possible.

It is what it is.

I took a break, just like you.

I came back with the idea of being a kinder, gentler poster. Just like you.

It won't work. You'll eventually realize that about 75% of the people that joined in the past year are all actually the same 2 or 3 people, the place is overrun with idiots and trolls, and it's easier just to fight fire with fire.

Just like me.

Agree with most of this assuming you meant that most the people who have joined are simply alike in thinking rather than mults of one another. I don't participate in much football discussion any longer simply because I don't give a crap about everybody else's opinion any longer. This place is 50% entertainment, 30% nostalgia/sentimental, and 20% news for me nowadays.

[BradBigglestein]

Also thought I'd throw in something else. Andy Reid loves to move around in drafts. He will either trade up or down more often than he stands pat. So I wouldn't put it past him to try and move down, although the #1 pick is a different animal. I'm just saying be prepared for the possibility, so you aren't totally taken aback.

I can't say I disagree with the general philosophy. If you really like a player, try to go up and grab him. If you are standing in a spot where you like 5-10 players all about the same, then get some extra picks and move down a bit. My only problem with Andy Reid was there were often players I liked a lot as a fan at their current spots when they moved down that they didn't have high grades on.

So expect movement on draft day. The Eagles always had a lot of draft picks stockpiled under Andy Reid. Usually way more than would make a roster. So he would usually end up trading later picks for better picks the next year. Like a 2013 7th rounder for a 2014 6th rounder. Expect a lot of that during Andy Reid's tenure with the Chiefs assuming Dorsey doesn't drastically alter Reid's philosophies.

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by Phobia

Agree with most of this assuming you meant that most the people who have joined are simply alike in thinking rather than mults of one another. I don't participate in much football discussion any longer simply because I don't give a crap about everybody else's opinion any longer. This place is 50% entertainment, 30% nostalgia/sentimental, and 20% news for me nowadays.

And why is it that anyone who joined after 05 has to have a minimum of 2 name changes a year?

I don't get that...

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Phobia

Agree with most of this assuming you meant that most the people who have joined are simply alike in thinking rather than mults of one another. I don't participate in much football discussion any longer simply because I don't give a crap about everybody else's opinion any longer. This place is 50% entertainment, 30% nostalgia/sentimental, and 20% news for me nowadays.

Whether they are truly mults, I can't say.

But they all parrot the same idiotic takes and use the same overbearing, troll-like tactics.

I come here mostly for the news/rumors. It's still the best place for that.

[tooge]

FWIW, I hope they value a QB at number one once all the combine and pro day results are in. I hope they take that guy.

[007]

I am so sick of hearing this guys name. Glennon's too for that matter.

[Frankie]

Originally Posted by BradBigglestein

Also thought I'd throw in something else. Andy Reid loves to move around in drafts.

The Eagles always had a lot of draft picks stockpiled under Andy Reid. Usually way more than would make a roster. So he would usually end up trading later picks for better picks the next year. Like a 2013 7th rounder for a 2014 6th rounder. Expect a lot of that during Andy Reid's tenure with the Chiefs assuming Dorsey doesn't drastically alter Reid's philosophies.

I love love love that. If he does it with thought and intelligence that is. I have always envied the teams who build up a bank of draft picks for future transactions. The Chiefs have not been dynamic in that department since the days of Hank Stram.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Why, Dane?

Every mother****ing year:

"The Chiefs could do worse than to draft top OT Johnny Slapdicker with the number 1(2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 etc.)pick"!!!!

Enough.