2013 NFL Draft: Chiefs Set To Select Luke Joeckel, Says Report

According to a report, the Kansas City Chiefs are set on drafting Texas A&M LT Luke Joeckel with the No. 1 pick in the 2013 NFL Draft set to take place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City next week.

The report comes from Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports via Roto World:

"Sources tell CBS Sports that Texas A&M LT Luke Joeckel “will be” the Chiefs’ pick at No. 1 overall.Jason La Canfora says the Chiefs strongly considered Central Michigan LT Eric Fisher, but determined that Joeckel — who faced far stiffer competition in the SEC — was a safer pick. Barring an unforeseen turn of events between now and next week, the man who protected Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel will be protecting Alex Smith’s blind side as an NFL rookie. Fisher remains a near-lock to go in the top-five."

This all makes perfect sense. The Chiefs are on the verge of dealing LT Branden Albert to the Miami Dolphins. Once the trade goes through, KC will be able to replace Albert with the younger, cheaper and possibly more talented Joeckel.

Here is what La Canfora said:

"While this draft does have some alluring tackle prospects, the reality is Luke Joeckel will go first overall, sources said, and Eric Fisher will go in the top five. Miami is high on Oklahoma tackle Lane Johnson, who is rising, but if they can land Albert that would free them up, and Arizona and San Diego, picking ahead of the Dolphins, are also high on Johnson, sources said, and Alabama tackle DJ Fluker could also be selected before Miami picks."

KC will likely pick up at least a second-round pick from Miami for Albert, allowing the team some trading chips should they want to trade back into the late first round next Thursday.

As of now, it looks like unless the Chiefs are able to convince some team to trade with them, Joeckel will be the pick.