NFL Draft Projections Depend On How Andy Reid Uses First Overall Pick
With people making their NFL Draft projections everyone wants to know who Andy Reid and GM John Dorsey will select with the first pick in the NFL draft come April. Word from the Kansas City Chiefs organization has been “we will select the best player available.” Kansas City Chiefs fans should remember Andy Reid made what some called a risky decision in 1999 when selecting Donovan McNabb second overall. That turned out pretty well.
The 2013 NFL Draft projections are split among experts as to who the Chiefs will select. Some see West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith as the most likely choice given the quarterback situation in Kansas City. The other half presumes that Luke Jockel will become the first selection made by Andy Reid. If we go by what John Dorsey has said, and his history with the Packers, it will be Luke Jockel.
Geno Smith is on top of NFL Draft projections for a reason, he is the all-time leader for career completions and touchdown passes at West Virginia also a solid choice to be the best quarterback of the 2013 NFL Draft. Although this year is not similar to 2012 where there was Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III. The certainty of what Smith will bring to the table is more unknown.
Luke Joeckel on the other hand is the best athlete in the upcoming draft. The Texas A&M offensive lineman protected the blind side of fresh quarterback Johnny Manziel and one of the main reason Manziel had the time to accumulate the numbers leading to his Heisman trophy season. Joeckel is atop most NFL Draft projections and he should be. The 6′ 6″ 315 pound OT has the ability to make an immediate impact for the Chiefs.
This would mean Albert Branden (15th overall pick of Chiefs 2008) would move down the depth chart or possible trade bait but would secure the offensive line. The rebuilding of Kansas City isn’t going to be a one year job, but also shouldn’t take more than two seasons given the current talent. People may forget how much talent is on this team due to the 2-14 season.
Jamal Charles is one of the most explosive players in the NFL and Joeckel would certainly help open up holes in the run game. Another factor that Chiefs fans should remember is that Andy Reid loves the screen game and you need fast lineman to pull and block down field, Joeckel can do that. The Chiefs also have Dexter McCluster, Terrance Cooper, Peyton Hillis, and possibly Dwayne Bowe. The talent is there for the Chiefs on defense as well, and with the trade rumors of Darrelle Revis the savings on selecting Joeckel could come in handy.
If you’re thinking what will Reid do about a QB? The short answer is that you will save money by drafting Joeckel first overall and while the free agent market isn’t great, there are quarterbacks to serve the needs of the Chiefs until the opportunity comes up for a franchise QB. These choices are more dependable than a rookie quarterback and you now have the blind side protected. A game manager would go a long way for the Chiefs and Alex Smith is a solid NFL quarterback who doesn’t turn the ball over. Smith led the league in completion percentage before the concussion that saw him lose his job. Don’t dismiss the idea that Andy Reid takes another look at Brady Quinn, but the book on Matt Castle is closed in Kansas City.
Makes sense for Andy Reid to go to KC. Has a ton of money to spend in the cap and 1st rd draft pick. amazing opportunity
— jeanniesamfnp (Jeannie Aliotta) (@jeanniesamfnp) Wed Jan 23 2013
I know everyone in saying I’m crazy but Alex Smith would be a great choice for the Chiefs. If you want other options they are out there. Matt Hasselbeck would possibly come cheap with Seattle footing a chunk of his salary. There is also the looming question of where Michael Vick ends up next season, though I don’t see Reid going back to that well. The point is with the offense that’s there the Chiefs could improve dramatically with a game managing quarterback like Smith.
One thing is certain when it comes to 2013 NFL Draft projections, Andy Reid and John Dorsey have a lot of teams wondering who will be the first pick in April. I will be releasing our 2013 projections on Friday when the Derrelle Revis story sorts itself out. That could affect the first 12 picks in the draft. If you have your top 10 NFL Draft projections leave a comment and let us know who you think will the top 10 will be!
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Chris
NFL News Desk Staff Reporter
