Chiefs Could Deal Branden Albert For 2014 Draft Pick
Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
The Kansas City Chiefs may not have been able to trade LT Branden Albert for a 2013 NFL draft pick but that doesn’t mean they can’t deal him not for a pick in next year’s draft.
From Jason Cole of Yahoo Sports:
"The long-discussed trade of Albert from Kansas City to Miami never materialized, even though the Dolphins were willing to meet Albert’s contract demands. Miami general manager Jeff Ireland indicated that everything was pretty much dead on the deal on Friday, but that doesn’t mean the teams won’t somehow revisit the idea later. The Dolphins have tried to leverage the fact that Kansas City doesn’t need both Albert and draft pick Eric Fisher. The Chiefs are figuring that they eventually will get some interest from teams that didn’t fill their left tackle needs in the draft (Detroit, San Diego and Arizona are still in that mix). Look for Albert to eventually move for a second-round pick in 2014."
It would make sense for the Chiefs to still want to deal Albert. They owe him $9 million this season and if they really aren’t willing to give him a long-term deal, trading Albert now at the height of his value would be ideal. If KC doesn’t trade Albert, they will be forced to either play him at RT or play Eric Fisher at RT. Putting Fisher at RT could slow his eventual development at LT and putting Albert at RT could get messy, as he has gone on the record as saying he has no plans to play any position other than LT.
It will be interesting to see if the Chiefs can create a bidding war now between teams that did not fill their tackle needs in the draft. It will also be interesting to see what the Chiefs seek for Albert. It was reported that the Dolphins were offering the 54th pick in the draft. If that report is true, then the Chiefs must have wanted more. Now that the draft is over, I wonder if KC will raise or lower their asking price?
According to the Miami Herald, Dolphins Gm Jeff Ireland said that trading for Albert could still be a possibility.
"Mando: Why not do the trade with Kansas City for Branden Albert instead of drafting cornerback Jamar Taylor in the second round?Jeff Ireland: “Because I didn’t think it was the right thing for us.”Mando: Why?Jeff Ireland: “Well, I’m not going into that because I’m not so sure it doesn’t work it.”Mando: You mean down the road?Jeff Ireland: “Yeah. Again, I never say never. I don’t want to get into the details of that trade right now when it could or couldn’t happen done down the road.”Mando: The moment during this draft you said, ‘Dang it, I wish I hadn’t done that?’ Was it when you traded out of the 82nd pick and then had to trade back in?"
What do you think the Chiefs should do with Branden Albert, Addicts?