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Like most teams who hold the No. 1 overall pick in a down year for quarterbacks, the Kansas City Chiefs want to trade their pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Like most teams who hold the No. 1 overall pick in a down year for quarterbacks, the Chiefs are going to have a hard time doing so.
Adam Caplan reports the following: "Multiple execs I spoke to in Indy suggested the Chiefs are seeking move out from the #1 overall spot regardless if they acquire a QB ([Nick} Foles, [Alex] Smith) or not."
This tells us that the Chiefs are not likely to take a quarterback with the top pick. Sure, things can change, but it does match up with everything we've heard over the last few weeks. There aren't many folks out there still sending Geno Smith to the Chiefs in their mock draft.
The problem with trading the No. 1 pick is that there has to be a trade partner. If there were a player at the top of the draft worth trading up for, wouldn't the Chiefs just draft that guy? Needs factor into it but the point remains: someone has to trade up, too.
If the Chiefs are considering a left tackle with the No. 1 pick then it might make sense to move out. Although Luke Joeckel is there at No. 1, there are several top free agent tackles in the 2013 NFL Draft. If the Chiefs can move back a few picks, and still pick up a franchise left tackle, then they should consider it. It's just going to be hard to find a trade partner.
Then there's the possibility that the Chiefs retain Branden Albert or find another tackle in free agency. There could be as many as six starting-caliber free agents available this offseason in both free agency and the Draft. Some would rate Jake Long, a free-agent-to-be, behind Albert, which should tell you what kind of crop of free agent tackles we're looking at. It's a good one.
If the Chiefs can sign a free agent tackle, what would they do at No. 1?
So this thing can still go a lot of ways. Outside of having the Andrew Luck / RGIII type of prospects available, any team with the top pick should be open to a trade.