Kansas City Chiefs 2013 Draft Preview

Apr 16, 2013 - 2:14 PM (Sports Network) - With Alex Smith and his new caddy, Chase Daniel, officially on board for new head coach Andy Reid the only real options for Kansas City with the No. 1 overall pick are trading down with a team enamored by West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith or selecting Luke Joeckel, the Texas A&M left tackle who projects as a Matt Kalil- like stalwart from day one.

Left tackles may not excite fans but they certainly perk up the moods of offensive-minded coaches like Reid. From day one moving forward, Joeckel won't need help, opening up a whole spectrum of options for Reid. In short, the presence of a player like Joeckel on the backside makes game planning that much easier.

That said, Kansas City's new brain trust of Reid and his hand-picked general manager, John Dorsey, would be derelict in its duty if the pick wasn't shopped around.

The Chiefs really played up their visit with Geno Smith at the team's facility recently and also have made their "interest" in Oregon defensive end Dion Jordan as well as Florida defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd well known.

Feigning interest in the top quarterback and best defensive prospects available, and playing footsie with the other top tackle on the board, Central Michigan's Eric Fisher, could force a QB-desperate team to trade up and give the farm away to Kansas City.

The best and more likely scenario in the City of Fountains is dropping down a spot or two, picking up an extra second- or third-round pick and still getting Joeckel to play bodyguard for new signal-caller Alex Smith.

"It would be really cool," Joeckel said when asked about possible being the No. 1 overall pick. "A dream come true. But the way I'm just looking at it, I want to get there. I am definitely striving to be the No. 1 pick, going through this entire process. But my dream is to just play in the NFL."

Although 'tis the season to knock players in draft process, Joeckel is such a sound prospect he has come through the process relatively unscathed with the traditional "needs to add strength" -- the lone strike against him.

Kansas City did franchise left tackle Branden Albert but it's clear the team is open to moving him in the right deal or playing mix and match with him and either Joeckel or Fisher for at least one season.

The Chiefs could also use s dependable backup for running back Jamaal Charles, a cornerback or two and some depth at the linebacker position.

2012 Record: 2-14

Top Needs: OT, CB, LB

First Three Picks: No. 1, No. 63, No. 96

Number of Selections: 8 (1, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6, 6, 7)

RECENT FIRST ROUND HISTORY: 2012 - Dontari Poe (NT, Memphis); 2011 - Jonathan Baldwin (WR, Pittsburgh); 2010 - Eric Berry (S, Tennessee); 2009 - Tyson Jackson (DE, LSU); 2008 - Glenn Dorsey (DT, LSU), Branden Albert (OT, Virginia); 2007 - Dwayne Bowe (WR, LSU); 2006 - Tamba Hali (DE, Penn State); 2005 - Derrick Johnson (LB, Texas); 2004 - none; 2003 - Larry Johnson (RB, Penn State).