Branden Albert will stay in KC next year. (Photo: Jamie Squire, Getty Images)

KCCD Editor: Elliot Dennis

Branden Albert is not going anywhere. With Dwayne Bowe’s new 5-year contract coming just before the tag deadline, the Chiefs were able to slap the franchise tag on Albert to keep him in Kansas City next year. This will increase the flexibility the Chiefs will have with the first overall pick.

Read on to hear my thoughts on the Albert franchise tag.

A common misconception people will have concerning the draft and the Albert tag: the Chiefs will not draft Luke Joeckel and move Branden Albert to guard. With the franchise tag in place, the Chiefs have to pay Albert top-5 LT money ($9 million this year).

There’s no chance Albert moves to guard. Albert has played like an elite left tackle the past two seasons. He has allowed fewer sacks/hurries/hits than the Broncos’ Ryan Clady or the Dolphins’ Jake Long in that time period. Hopefully the Chiefs can work out a long-term deal with Albert before the July 15th deadline.

What this does for KC is free up many options for the top selection. A defensive lineman (Sheldon Richardson, Sharrif Floyd, or Star Lotulelei) or Dee Milliner seem like the only options right now, but I’m willing to bet the Chiefs are shopping the pick. With the Chiefs without a 2nd round pick due to the Alex Smith trade, the Chiefs could trade out of the top pick and receive more high round picks.

Basically it’s like this: the Chiefs have all the options possible available to them, nobody knows what they’re thinking. Hopefully the picture becomes clearer as we approach draft day.

Tags: #1 Overall Pick, Branden Albert, Franchise Tag

This entry is filed under the category: KC Chiefs, NFL, NFL Draft.