Geno Smith To Kansas City Chiefs Looking More Likely
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
The recent news out of Kansas City seems to indicate that the team may very well decide to take a chance on drafting QB Geno Smith with the #1 overall selection in April’s 2013 NFL Draft.
I’m about to connect a lot of dots here but I need you guys to just go ahead and hang with me because, after all, it’s February.
For weeks now we’ve been hearing that it is likely the Chiefs will take LT Luke Joeckel with the #1 pick because there are no QBs worthy of the #1 pick. We’ve also heard that whether or not the Chiefs re-sign LT Branden Albert will be a big indicator of whether or not the team plans to take Jeockel.
Well tonight, the shit hit the proverbial fan.
Though nobody has signed anything yet and nothing is official, three reports emerged on Valentine’s Day that could give us a pretty clear glimpse into Kansas City’s intentions come April. These reports, combined with some other moves by the team, have enabled me to read the tea leaves a bit here.
The evidence for Geno:
A USA Today report claimed that the Chiefs are interested in possibly trading for Philadelphia Eagles QB Nick Foles. Foles is trained in Andy Reid’s system and could be a fit in KC, either as a starter or a backup option. Frankly, I find it hard to believe the Chiefs are going all-in on Nick Foles. Their interest in him screams “backup, veteran option” to me. I could foresee a situation in which Foles is able to compete for the starting job but I refuse to believe Reid and Dorsey are placing all their chips on him. Think about how the Seahawks doubled down last season when acquired Matt Flynn but also drafted Russel Wilson. Even the Broncos, when they had just snagged Peyton Manning, drafted Brock Osweiler. Foles can’t be the only plan or even “plan A.”
#2. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the Chiefs are looking to re-sign WR Dwayne Bowe. KC’s offense was putrid in 2012 but that wasn’t really Bowe’s fault. Bowe has succeeded even with the worst of QBs.
#3. Rapoport also confirmed that the Chiefs are trying to re-sign LT Branden Albert. No way do the Chiefs re-sign Albert and draft Joeckel. It’s not going to happen, not with Eric Winston playing RT. Rapoport said the Chiefs should be able to re-sign both Bowe and Albert.
#4. A Bowe and Albert re-singing means that Tyson Jackson and Glenn Dorsey are almost certainly goners. The Chiefs will need help at DE to be sure but that may be why they rolled out the red carpet for former Giants defensive lineman Chris Canty this week. If the Chiefs can convince Canty to sign, they can feel a lot better at at least one of their DE spots for a couple of years. I think we can pretty well assume that Jackson is most certainly a goner and that Dorsey could follow him out of town.
If the Chiefs are planning to use a bunch of cap space on Bowe and Albert and they are seeking veteran help at DE while shedding bloated salary on average players like Jackson and Dorsey, then what are they thinking of doing come the draft in April?
Removing LT and DE from the equation really narrows things down. KC could go for CB or DT by drafting Dee Milliner or Star Lotulelei.
Or they could take Geno Smith or say, Matt Barkley at #1.
The reason I am leaning toward QB is because of the reported interest in Foles. Nick Foles played alright in Philly last year but he certainly didn’t play well enough for Reid and Dorsey to believe he is the one true answer at the QB position in KC.
If the Chiefs wanted a sure-thing at starting QB, at least for 2013, they would be going after 49ers QB Alex Smith. But a Chris Moretnson report indicates that KC is interested in pursuing both Foles and Geno Smith before they will consider Alex Smith.
It all seems to fit. KC can cut Jackson and Dorsey while re-signing Bowe and Albert. The team also nabs Chris Canty and drafts another DE later in 2013 in a draft that is very deep in defensive and offensive lineman. The team then selects QB Geno Smith with the #1 overall pick and rolls into camp with Smith and Foles competing for the #1 QB job. If Smith isn’t ready at first, Foles knows the system and could do an adequate job while Geno learns.
As for QB #3, the Chiefs could retain Ricky Stanzi or go after a more seasoned veteran to round out the position.
Again, we are doing a lot of projecting here and a lot can change between now and April but this all makes sense to me. Securing veterans like Bowe and Albert means the Chiefs have fewer holes to fill in the draft. Pursuing veteran defensive lineman like Chris Canty gives us a glimpse into the team’s possible free agency strategy at that position. Once you rule out WR, LT and DE as first round needs, QB moves to the front of the line for the Chiefs and the QB currently at the front of the line is none other than Geno Smith.
I can’t wait to see how this all plays out.