It is Sunday so I thought I’d bring you yet another 2013 NFL Mock Draft from FanSided’s terrific draft site, NFL Mocks.

It is hard to find a mock draft that doesn’t have the Chiefs selecting a tackle these days and this entry is no different.

From Mocks:

1. Kansas City Chiefs — Luke Joeckel OT, Texas A&M
With the trade for Alex Smith and putting Branden Albert on the trade block, it’s looking more and more like an OT will be the pick. It comes down to whether they like Joeckel or Fisher more. I think Joeckel ends up being the pick.

If the Chiefs do go tackle then I could see Branden Albert being dealt some time during the first round. If KC is really trying to get a second-round pick for Albert, I’d imagine a deal might be struck with the Dolphins shortly after Miami picks.

This is just a guess but I’d say Miami will wait until their pick to see if a tackle they like happens to slip to them. Remember, Miami picks at No. 12 so it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that the Phins might get lucky. The Dolphins could also consider trading up a couple of spots to get their guy.

For instance, say Miami would be satisfied with Lane Johnson and Johnson slips to the Titans at No. 10. The Chargers pick at Np. 11 and could use some help at the tackle position. Miami might be able to get away with swapping picks with the Titans for just a third-round pick. Maybe even less.

The Chiefs are reportedly looking for a second-round pick in 2013 and a pick in 2014 for Albert. It may be that KC’s trading partners are able to satisfy their needs for less in the draft and that could leave the Chiefs out in the cold.

Still, there are worse things than ending up with Branden Albert and Luke Joeckel/Eric Fisher as your bookend tackles.

Check out the entire mock draft now at NFL Mocks.

Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN draft expert Todd McShay has updated his 2013 NFL Mock Draft and finally, we have a different name at the top for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Now that the Chiefs have locked up LT Branden Albert, McShay thinks they will go with the dreaded defensive lineman pick.

And that lineman will be Star Lotulelei out of Utah.

From McShay:

Analysis: Most people will have OT Luke Joeckel going to the Chiefs, even after they franchised OT Brandon Albert, and I think that’s a viable option. But I’m also convinced that Lotulelei is very much in play for the Chiefs at No. 1. First off, the Chiefs have handled their business on offense with the trade for QB Alex Smith, the re-signing of WR Dwayne Bowe to a five-year deal, and placing the franchise tag on Albert. Don’t be surprised if the focus shifts to defense in April’s draft.

The Chiefs, under new defensive coordinator Bob Sutton, will continue to operate out of a base 3-4. By adding Lotulelei at DE alongside former first-round picks in NT Dontari Poe and DE Tyson Jackson, it would give them a tremendously talented young front to build around. This group could become a brick wall versus the run, with Poe and Lotulelei capable of exploiting some one-on-one pass-rushing opportunities as Tamba Hali and Justin Houston grab extra attention on the perimeter.

McShay has a point but we know Kansas City fans are sick to death of defensive lineman. Still, if KC let’s Glenn Dorsey walk in free agency, snagging a top defensive line prospect might be the best way to go.

It should be noted that McShay still doesn’t have a QB going in the top ten. If that scenario would play out, it is possible teams could try to trade back in to the late first round to get their guy. The Chiefs, however, would have a hard time doing that since they reportedly sent their second-round pick to the 49ers for Alex Smith.

Unless the Chiefs somehow acquire a new second-rounder via trade, KC won’t pick again until the top of the third round.

Do you want the Chiefs to select Star?

Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

The Super Bowl is over and that means draft season is beginning to heat up.

The latest FanSided.com 2013 NFL Mock Draft has been released and after flirting with a DT and a LT, the Chiefs are back to taking a QB.

1. Kansas City Chiefs
Geno Smith
Quarterback, West Virginia
It is hard to imagine a scenario where the Kansas City Chiefs will not look to address their quarterback situation in the offseason. While there will be some veteran signal-callers available in free agency, it would be wise for the Chiefs to bring in a young quarterback that can grow with this team and offense.

Despite all the experts saying that there is no QB worthy of going #1, there appears to be a very small pool from which the Chiefs are drafting. Every mock we come across either has the Chiefs selecting Smith or LT Luke Joeckel. The occasional mock will have them take DT Star Lotulelei. Most mocks have only one QB going in the first round.

Sorry but I don’t buy it. At this time last year, most people hadn’t even heard of Dontari Poe. A couple of years ago, when Cam Newton was selected #1, all the experts were saying there wasn’t a QB worthy of that pick. We’ve still got a long way to go.

The big indicator here will be what the Chiefs do in free agency, which begins one month from today. If they fail to re-sign Branden Albert and otherwise ignore the tackle position, I am going to start getting very nervous about the team’s chances of landing Smith.

The Chiefs could also trade for QB Alex Smith and depending on what they give up for him, we could get a better indication of their plans for the draft.

Stay tuned.

The post-Super Bowl 2013 NFL Mock Draft is out at FanSided.com and once again, the Kansas City Chiefs are selecting a tackle.

And yes, it is the tackle you’d expect.

1. Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joeckel, OT/Texas A&M

The Chiefs need a signal caller, but they can easily get on later in the draft. With Andy Reid in town, the Chiefs will be going in an entirely new direction (well actually it’ll just be nice for them to be going in a direction), plus both Reid and new GM John Dorsey have said the Chiefs will draft the best player available with the first pick, and that’s Joeckel. Reid lost his job because his offensive line in Philly couldn’t block and now that he’s in Kansas City, it has got to be in the forefront of his mind. If the Chiefs go with Joeckel here, expect Landry Jones or Matt Barkley to come off the board at the start of the second day.

These picks are getting a little repetitive to be sure but to be fair, there aren’t many other mocks out there predicting anything different. Just take a look at this list from Walter Football.

Don’t discourage, however because draft season is about to heat up. The NFL Scouting Combine kicks off later this month.

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs are finally getting a little diversity in their pretend picks in some 2013 NFL Mock Drafts.

Yesterday we brought you the results of the latest FanSided.com mock draft in which the Chiefs selected LT Luke Joeckel.

Well, there is a new mock out that has KC going with a defensive lineman.

Again. Cause, you know, that has worked out so well for them.

This, from Bill Williamson of ESPN’s AFC West blog:

1. Kansas City Chiefs: DL, Star Lotulelei, Utah: He could excel as a 3-4 defensive end. This is a tough spot for the Chiefs. There are no great positional fits, particularly since no quarterbacks have yet shown they are worthy of being the top pick. There has been a lot of chatter that Texas A&M offensive lineman Luke Joeckel could be the Chiefs’ choice. But the Chiefs want to re-sign left tackle Branden Albert. I expect them to give Albert an offer early next month. If Albert leaves in free agency, Joeckel then becomes the likely pick. If that is the scenario, the Chiefs better use the money that would have went to Albert on a premium free agent. A simple Albert-Joeckel swap would not be the greatest use of the top choice.

This is an interesting pick. Lotulelei is considered one of the top defensive lineman in the draft. Then again, so was Glenn Dorsey.

The Chiefs will need to fill some holes on their defensive line. DE Tyson Jackson is likely to be sent packing because of contract issues.

Still, I’d rather the Chiefs fill that need in free agency if possible. I think if the team takes another defensive lineman, especially at #1, Kansas City might just explode.

The latest FanSided 2013 NFL Mock draft has hit the net and once again, it has the Kansas City Chiefs selecting a tackle.

Here is the explanation:

1. Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joeckel, Offensive Tackle, Texas A&M
This has become a consensus pick. With no elite quarterbacks in this year’s draft class, the Chiefs will be looking to select the best player available and that is clearly Joeckel. When the team finally finds their next signal-caller, he will have the benefit of Joeckel protecting his blind side.

I still thinking an offensive tackle here would be utterly foolish. Joeckel is still considered one of the best players int he draft but Eric Fisher out of Central Michigan turned a lot of heads down at the Senior Bowl last week and some experts are predicting he could challenge to be the first tackle taken. Not even Joeckel is a slam dunk at this point.

It will be interesting to see how these mocks begin to change once we get on the other side of the Super Bowl.

See then entire mock over at FanSided.com.

Don McPeak-US Presswire

We’ve examined a number of first round NFL Mock Drafts over the last couple of weeks but why not go a little deeper?

The folks over at Walter Football have posted their updated mock for round two of the draft. They have the Chiefs selecting QB Geno Smith with the first round selection and in round two, they decided to get him a target.

Kansas City Chiefs: Justin Hunter, WR, Tennessee

Kansas City’s new quarterback will need a new receiver if Dwayne Bowe leaves. I wouldn’t spend the money on Bowe; he’s overrated because he’s inconsistent and piles up most of his stats in garbage time. He was responsible for a ton of turnovers, including both of Matt Cassel’s interceptions against the Ravens.

While I like the move to go with a WR here, I disagree on the comments about Bowe. Bowe may be inconsistent at times but he has also played with a parade of just terrible QBs. His production since he entered the NFL is impressive considering the Chiefs have been so poor on offense. I’ve no doubt that once Bowe is paired with a competent passer, his numbers will be more consistent.

I am also against pairing a rookie QB with a young, inexperienced WR core. If the pick in round one is indeed Smith, I believe it is essential the Chiefs retain Bowe.

As for the pick, Hunter possesses excellent size at 6-4, 200. He had 73 catches for 1083 and nine TDs in 2012. Most experts see him as a second or third round pick.

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs need a QB like an Arrowhead Addict needs his football but recent expert mock drafts seem to indicate that the Chief will forego selecting a signal caller to instead take a defensive tackle that they don’t need or a left tackle that they don’t need.

But not this one.

Walter, over at Walter Football, thinks Andy Reid will go with West Virginia QB Geno Smith.

Reid eschewed all the top free-agent quarterbacks when he took over as the Eagles’ head coach, taking a mobile, Big East product with a good deep ball and upside instead. Well, Smith is a mobile, (former) Big East product with a good deep ball and upside. He fits perfectly into Reid’s offense.

ESPN and other outlets will tell you that Smith nor any other signal-caller is worth taking No. 1 overall, but that could easily change. Remember two years ago when ESPN was mocking Da’Quan Bowers and Nick Fairley to the Panthers? Well, Cam Newton ballooned to the top, as will some other quarterback this year. It could be Smith, Tyler Wilson, Matt Barkley or Glennon. We’ll see. Four months is a long time. If this doesn’t happen, the Chiefs could always trade down.

I agree with Walt here. The draft is very far away. Heck, the 2012 season isn’t even over yet. There is still plenty of time for Smith or one of the other QB’s to rise to the top.

And draft history tells us that one of them almost certainly will.

Check out Walter’s full mock.

Charles LeClaire-USPRESSWIRE

The weekly FanSided.com 2013 NFL Mock Draft has been posted and once again, the Kansas City Chiefs are going QB.

The other picks move around quite a bit each week but since the Chiefs are picking first, right now at least, the options are limited. Things may change once the combine happens but for now, the most logical pick for KC seems to be a QB.

[Related: Video: Geno Smith Is Worthy Of The #1 Pick]

Here is this week’s pick:

Andy Reid will want to bring in a signal-caller to start his run with the Kansas City Chiefs. While popular belief is that there is no quarterback worthy of the No. 1 pick, you have to be excited with the skill set of Smith after seeing the success of Cam Newton and Colin Kaepernick in the pros. Even better for the Chiefs is that Smith is a perfect fit for Andy Reid’s offense. Kansas City could go with Luke Joeckel first-overall and take a quarterback in the second round, but offensive line is not an immediate need and you need to fill your biggest needs if you are picking early.

So we go Smith again. It will be interesting to see if another QB shoots up draft boards in the coming months but for now, Smith seems to be the consensus pick.

The Kansas City Chiefs now have their head coach in Andy Reid. Reid is still putting together a staff but the more pieces of the puzzle that are put together, the better idea we’ll be able to get about what the Chiefs might do with the first pick in the NFL Draft.

The last few picks have been QB’s but this time around, the guys over at FanSided.com have the Chiefs going in a different direction in their latest mock.

With the first pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select…

1. Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joeckel, OT/Texas A&M

I had this pick in my mock a few weeks ago, and it’s starting to go mainstream with some draft experts. With Andy Reid in town, the Chiefs will be going in an entirely new direction (well actually it’ll just be nice for them to be going in a direction), and Reid himself hinted that the Chiefs could opt to go with a quarterback later in the draft. If that’s the case, the only player they can take is A&M’s Luke Joeckel, who is arguably the best tackle in the country — including NFL guys. Reid lost his job because his offensive line in Philly couldn’t block and now that he’s in Kansas City, it has got to be in the forefront of his mind. If the Chiefs go with Joeckel here, expect Landry Jones or Matt Barkley to come off the board at the start of the second day.

Reid knows the importance of having a solid offensive line but I just don’t think I see this pick happening. I think once Reid really digs in and looks at the tape, he’ll realize that he’d be better off re-signing Branden Albert. Albert is a very good LT and he does a nice job in pass protection. Since Reid likes to throw the ball, I think he’ll feel safer with a veteran LT.

If Albert gets too expensive and the Chiefs don’t sign him, however, then I could see this being the pick.

But I am still hoping for a QB.

Check out the full updated FanSided Mock Draft. 

What do you think, Addicts? Do you want the Chiefs to go LT with the first pick?

FanSided has released its weekly 2013 NFL Mock Draft. The editors of our flagship site are releasing weekly mock drafts to get everyone warmed up for the big events in April. The more NFL teams that get eliminated from playoff contention, the more interest we’ll see in draft talk.

The Kansas City Chiefs are certainly eliminated from contention so let’s take a look at who the pick is this week.

Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Joeckel – OT/Texas A&M

Everyone is picking the Chiefs to go quarterback with this pick, but right now both signal callers could be argued as reaches at No. 1. So for argument sake let’s say hypothetically say Aaron Murray from Georgia declares or Matt Barkley falls off the chart and K.C. grabs one of them at the start of the second day. If this is the case, the Chiefs would need someone to protect their quarterback project and that’s all Luke Joeckel from Texas A&M. He’s a monster on the line and rarely gets beat in his assignments. If the Chiefs are serious about rebuilding, history has proven that starts with protection, and while everyone is predicting the Chiefs go ‘franchise quarterback’, they also need a ‘franchise tackle’. They’ll still probably cave and go QB with the pick, but taking Joeckel in the first and someone like Murray, Barkley, Tahj Boyd or Landry Jones later in the draft makes some sense.

Ahh, the yearly “mock a LT to the Chiefs” debate gets kicked off early.

The last two mocks had the Chiefs going QB but this one has them taking a tackle. While this pick seems like a stretch, it could be a possibility depending on how the Chiefs’ offseason shakes out. There may be a new GM and if that GM is somehow able to find a QB in free agency or via trade, he may want to pick up a tackle to protect his new investment.

Still, it would be easier for the Chiefs just to pony up and pay Branden Albert. He probably won’t find himself in the Hall of Fame after he retires but Albert has quietly developed into a very solid LT in the NFL. He has improved his pass protection in the last couple of years and he is athletic enough to get out and block for a back as fast as Jamaal Charles.

It just wouldn’t make sense for the Chiefs to turn to a rookie LT when they already have a veteran that can get the job done. KC has the money so re-signing Albert shouldn’t be an issue.

Still, it is interesting to see the different ways these mocks can play out. One pick can change everything so I enjoy getting a look at the different scenarios.

What do you think, Addicts? Will the Chiefs go tackle?

Check out the full FanSided mock at FanSided.com!

The folks over at FanSided.com will be releasing weekly 2013 NFL mock drafts from now right up until zero hour. Each Tuesday, we’ll being you a recap of who they have the Chiefs choosing and we’ll link you the mock.

Last, week, the Chiefs selected QB Matt Barkely out of USC. While Barkley wasn’t the most popular pick, most of our readers seemed happy with the QB selection.

Now on to this week.

With the first pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia.

Here is what they had to say about the pick.

The Kansas City Chiefs need to find a franchise signal-caller. There is no debating that. Unfortunately for Kansas City, this is a weak year to have the first-overall pick but they need to grab the top quarterback on the board in hopes of moving the franchise forward. In the 2013 NFL Draft class, the top quarterback is none other than Geno Smith.

I am still doing my research but as of now this would be my pick. I know that Smith cooled somewhat after a very hot start. Still, he has an impressive skill set for a QB, he takes care of the football and he has very solid down-field accuracy… something a Chiefs QB hasn’t had since, well, maybe ever.

You can see the full mock draft on FanSided.com.

James Lang-US PRESSWIRE

The first FanSided 2013 NFL Mock Draft of the year has been released.

The folks over at FanSided.com will be releasing weekly mock drafts right up until the big day in April. While it may seem a little early for mocks, for fans of teams like the Chiefs that are out of the running for the playoffs, it is pretty much all we have.

The draft boards are sure to change a lot over the coming weeks so it will be fun to track all the players the Chiefs take in these mocks.

Let’s get to it.

With the first pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select:

Mat Barkley, QB, USC

The Chiefs are in serious need of rebuilding and that all starts, as we’ve seen in the past, with a franchise quarterback. The Falcons drafted Matt Ryan to rebuild, Detroit took Matthew Stafford and both have been to the playoffs not long after making those selections. The Chiefs are far from being playoff worthy in the near future but they need a leader and Barkley is their best shot.

I partly agree. The Chiefs certainly need a franchise QB but I am not sure the roster needs to be totally re-built. In fact, I think blowing things up would be a mistake.

Now, on the pick.

Barkley hasn’t had that great of a season but he is still considered one of the top two QBs in this coming class. Right now it seems to be between Barkley and West Virginia’s Geno Smith.

I have to say, I am weary of another USC QB with questionable arm strength. I’d say at the moment, I’m leaning towards Smith.

I will say this. Whatever your thoughts on Barkley or Smith, in my opinion, the Chiefs have got to take one of them and they need to do it with the #1 pick if they do indeed have it.

Unless some dark horse candidate shoots up draft boards, these two QBs have the best chance of developing into franchise guys.

I’m going to be bullish on the QB position this offseason. Last year I said the Chiefs needed to trade whatever it took to move up to secure RG3. I was mocked and many a draft expert explained to me that giving up so many draft picks would be foolish.

Baloney. I thought it was crap then and I do now.

What has Jalil Brown done for you lately? What about Tyson Jackson? Colin Brown? Devon Wylie? Dexter McCluster?

I’d trade all of those guys and more for RG3. Hell, I’d trade Eric Berry for RG3. Tamba Hali. Justin Houston. Not all of them but one of them certainly.

It is time to face facts. The Chiefs aren’t going anywhere without a QB. All the draft picks in the world aren’t going to help.

KC’s GM, whomever it might be come draft time, needs to take the best QB available wherever the Chiefs pick in the first round. There is no such thing for reaching on a franchise QB. The Chiefs also might want to consider drafting two QBs this April. Just to be on the safe side.

There are no guarantees with QBs regardless of where you take them. But if you don’t take any QBs, I can guarantee your chances of winning a Super Bowl are almost 0.

So right now the pick is Barkley. What do you guys think?

Check out the full FanSided Mock Draft on FanSided.com!

The Kansas City Chiefs appear to be on their way toward securing the first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft and that means it is time to start talking QBs.

It is sad that with eight games to go we have to begin focusing on the draft but the Chiefs haven’t given us any indication that they’re going to make the rest of this NFL season interesting.

The Chiefs literally control their own destiny as far as securing the top pick is concerned. With just one win this season, the Chiefs have the worst record in football. Their primary competition right now is the Carolina Panthers, currently 1-6 and the Jacksonville Jaguars, also 1-6. The Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints are also in the mix at 2-5.

Now we can likely rule out the Saints. I find it hard to believe, bad as they’ve been, that a team with Drew Brees at QB will have the worst record in football by season’s end. As for the Browns, they appear to be trending in the right direction. Rookie QB Brandon Weeden has shown some nice flashes and they are getting a number of key players back on defense. Cleveland is likely to win a few more. Besides, the Chiefs play the Browns later this season. A loss for KC would pretty much kill Cleveland’s chances of having the top pick.

That leaves the Panthers and Jaguars. The good news is that the Panthers aren’t much of a threat. Even if they should finish with the worst record in the league, they already have Cam Newton on board. Plus, KC and Carolina play one another in December.

As for the Jags, they could potentially be problematic. They’re terrible and their only win came earlier this season against the Colts. Indy and Andrew Luck are playing much better now, however and even though Jacksonville will play them again, the result could be very different.

There is a good chance KC and Jacksonville could be picking 1-2.

Nobody wants to see more losing for the Chiefs but if the organization is going to finally draft a franchise QB, more losing is what they need.

But who is the franchise QB in this draft?

Currently, the top two candidates are Matt Barkley of USC and Geno Smith of West Virginia. Smith is the flashier of the two, having put up some gaudy numbers earlier this season but as of late his performance has slipped a bit. Barkley has been more consistent.

Current stats for both:

Smith: YDS TD INT
2417 26 2

Barkley: YDS TD INT
2266 25 8

The latest mock draft from Walter Football has the Chiefs picking #1 and taking Barkley. They have Smith going to the Jags at #2.

We still have a long way to go and a lot could change, but right now Smith and Barkley are the front runners.

What do you think, Addicts? Do you have a favorite in this race?