Will The Chiefs Draft A Quarterback?
Nov 17, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Sean Renfree (19) looks to pass as Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive end Anthony Williams (56) approaches during the first half at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Josh D. Weiss-USA TODAY Sports
Will the Chiefs draft a quarterback has been a question that everyone has been asking since before the halfway point of the 2012 season. At times it seemed a certainty, but now the recent trade for Alex Smith has complicated the notion to the point it seems doubtful. But let’s go over the draft, where the Chiefs pick, and see if taking a quarterback in that round makes sense for the team at this time.
1st Round, 1st pick:
Apologies to all the quarterbacks in this draft class, but no one seems to think you’re worth the first overall pick. Actually, you should be apologizing to me and all the other Chiefs fans in this world because you are not worthy of the number one pick. Out of all the years, the Chiefs would get stuck with this draft class. Oh well. If the Chiefs absolutely love Geno Smith, they could get him so that he could sit behind Alex Smith and learn. You know, kinda like Aaron Rodgers did in Green Bay, which just so happens to be where the Chiefs’ new GM, John Dorsey, came from. But with the recent release of right tackle Eric Winston, and the commitment the Chiefs have shown for Alex Smith which includes sacrificing their second-round pick, 34th overall, to get him, you can pretty much pencil in Luke Joeckel in this spot. And yes, feel free to argue this.
2nd Round, 34th pick:
Traded to San Francisco.
3rd Round, 63rd pick:
I just don’t see this happening. The Chiefs just spent a second-round pick on Alex Smith, so why would they use two straight picks at the top of second day rounds on quarterbacks? Especially since the Chiefs have more needs than quarterback. But I will say this, if the Chiefs are going to take a quarterback in this draft, I think the third-round is the time to do it. Alex Smith has only completed all 16 regular season games twice in his career. If Dorsey & Co. don’t want to bring in a veteran quarterback to back up Alex Smith, which they probably will, then going with the best available quarterback in the third to compete with Ricky Stanzi for the backup role is probably the best route to take, depending on if a quarterback happened to fall this far, and that you don’t think he would be available on the third day of the draft between rounds 4 and 7.
The rest of the rounds:
Speculation suggests that the Chiefs will be receiving a compensation pick for the loss of cornerback Brandon Carr sometime at the end of round three. Combine that with the rest of the rounds, and you have five more chances to take a quarterback. But remember, the Chiefs already have a fifth round quarterback, and his name is Ricky Stanzi … who has started 0 games … not even over Tyler Palko … or at the end of a 2-14 season. Yeah, I just don’t think spending a pick on a quarterback this year after the 3rd round would even be worth it. And yes, I know Tom Brady was a late round pick, and yes, I’m tired of people using the exception and thinking it’s a rule. Although, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report likes Duke quarterback, Sean Renfree, with a later round pick to the Chiefs. But if you have a late round pick compete with Stanzi over the backup role, you are setting yourself up for failure if Alex Smith does get hurt. If Stanzi is released, then a pick like Renfree, alongside a veteran free agent quarterback, makes more sense.
At the end of the day, I just don’t see the Chiefs taking a quarterback in this year’s draft. I see the Chiefs signing Alex Smith long-term, bringing in a veteran quarterback to serve in a backup role, and keeping Ricky Stanzi to compete for the second spot. The Chiefs have too many needs to spend multiple picks on a single position. What do you think, Chiefs fans? Will the Chiefs indeed take a rookie quarterback in April?