I made my pick for the Kansas City Chiefs in SB Nation's 2012 NFL mock draft and it's a bit of a surprise -- Iowa OT Riley Reiff. I wasn't planning on selecting him because I figured he would be gone but the Buffalo Bills, picking 10th, selected OT Mike Adams, which left Reiff available. Read my write-up on the pick here.
Yes, the Chiefs have two starting offensive tackles already on the team but GM Scott Pioli can't make his decisions based on what's happening right now. He has to look down the road and next year OT Branden Albert's contract runs out. That means the Chiefs need to A.) re-sign him or B.) draft his replacement.
The Chiefs chose the latter in this mock draft.
GM Scott Pioli said earlier this offseason that the offensive line was a priority this year. Romeo Crennel told the KC Star this week that the Chiefs can draft the best player available because they were able to fill some holes in free agency.
That leads me to making the Reiff selection. If the Chiefs truly are picking the best player available, then in this scenario I think that's Reiff. He takes away a potential hole next season at offensive tackle which gives the Chiefs more flexibility with Albert. They can move Albert to another position, keep him at offensive tackle in 2012 and then let him walk picking up a compensatory pick, or they can trade him.
This pick is not a knock on Albert. He's a good player and the Chiefs would be fine if they re-signed him. This pick is based on the best player being available and giving the Chiefs flexibility when it comes to the offensive line.
Having three quality offensive tackles on the team is a luxury the Chiefs can afford to have right now. Dontari Poe concerns me a little bit but he was also an option here, as was Luke Kuechly.