2018 NFL Draft: Why the Kansas City Chiefs should select a quarterback
By Matt Conner
Future value
I hate to bring up the New England Patriots as an example of how to run a team because they’re such an outlier. When you have arguably the best head coach ever paired with arguably the best quarterback ever, it’s just not fair to point and say, “We should do that!”
That said, one thing that the Patriots do that has helped to maintain their success is to keep the cupboards full of quarterback potential at all times—and this is on a team with the surest thing in the business. Despite the presence of Tom Brady on the roster at a great contractual value, Bill Belichick insists on using one high draft pick after another to bring in a back-up quarterback, despite having other needs on the roster.
The goal for any team bringing in a back-up like this is that you never have to use them, a la Jimmy Garoppolo’s tenure behind Brady. But having that player not only serves as a security blanket in case of some worst-case scenario playing out, it also gives the franchise future value in terms of a tradable asset.
Whether it’s Matt Cassel or Ryan Mallett or Jacoby Brissett or Garoppolo, the Patriots have made a habit of earning back some capital for the quarterbacks who move on from their system. Sometimes the return is substantial and others not so much, but teams are always looking for help at the position and are enamored with those who come out of New England.
The same will be said of quarterbacks who come out of Kansas City. Remember, Andy Reid has plenty of evidence from his previous tenure in Philadelphia, as the Eagles were able to trade away names like Kevin Kolb (pictured above) and A.J. Feeley for second round choices apiece (and even got a nice cornerback named Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie thrown in for Kolb). Reid has a nice touch with quarterbacks, and teams are willing to settle for Reid’s scraps in hopes of unearthing a new starter.
That bodes well for the Chiefs going forward. They now have their man in Mahomes without question. But now is the time to sow seeds for the future in the hopes that they grow into future assets as well as present help. Speaking of…