Warmack could be just one of the benefits of the Chiefs trading down. (Photo: Matthew Emmons, USA Today Sports)

KCCD Contributor: Josh Wittemeyer

What a statement the Chiefs front office has made this off-season, and we aren’t even into free agency yet. With Bowe resigned and the franchise tag on Albert, John Dorsey has set the Chiefs up in great position for free agency and the Draft. We can’t forget that they can still sign Albert to a long term deal or pull the franchise tag if they feel his back is still an issue (Dorsey said in a recent interview Albert pass a team physical).This buys a little more time for everyone involved and was the best case scenario for the Chiefs and the fans.

At first glance, tagging big Brandon Albert takes Luke Joeckel out of the picture at #1. There are a few things that could still make that happen. Chiefs could still drop the 1 year offer or if they don’t think they can sign Albert long term after this season they could still go LT. As good as Joeckel is supposed to be, I wouldn’t want a rookie left tackle starting. It could give Luke some time to get his feet under him in the NFL. This isn’t the way I would go and I don’t think it is what Reid and Dorsey will do but it still has to be mentioned.

Giving up this year’s second round pick and possibly next years for Alex Smith makes me think the Chiefs have a pretty good idea they can trade out of the first pick. This draft is very deep in the trenches, wideout and secondary. All of those spots are areas the Chiefs have room for improvement. While they won’t get a king’s ransom like the Rams last season, they should be a me to pick up a few picks to trade back to in the 8-14 range in the first and get back into the second. This makes the most sense right now.

If a trade like that happens the Chiefs can pick up a quality starter. In all likelihood, Buffalo or Arizona are the teams that have the most need at QB and with the recent news Oakland at #3 is interested in the best QB prospect, Geno Smith, they would have to make a move with KC or Jacksonville. If this scenario plays out the Chiefs can target a few different guys. The one I would like to see is Xavier Rhodes CB out of Florida State. At 6-1 and 210 pounds he would fit well across from the smaller Brandon Flowers. He has shown he can be physical at the line of scrimmage, a trait that would fit nicely with the Chiefs pass rushers. He has also shown the ability to get off blocks from WRs. He needs to improve his tackling against the run, at times it can leave a little to be desired. Playing with a CB who plays the run as well as Flowers does should help him. Also, his pursuit on far side runs needs improvement but his coverage skills and physical play make up for what he lacks.

One other prospect I could see at 7 or 8 could be Chance Warmack, OG out of Alabama. We have all heard he might be the best player in the entire draft. Taking him would also fill a need the Chiefs have after Ryan Lilja retired. It wouldn’t be a sexy pick but picking up a talent like Warmack could do wonders for the Chiefs running game. While the Chiefs offensive line is shaping up pretty nicely right now, a guy with the strength and footwork Warmack has displayed could transform the Chiefs O-line into the top 5 in the league. Even with a slightly improved passing game it’s scary to think what that offensive line could do for Jamaal Charles in his second year after knee surgery.

The best part of the moves made this month is it gives Kansas City so many options not only in the draft but free agency. As a Chiefs fan none of us can be mad at what they have done. They are proving to us and the rest of the NFL they want to win now. That’s a big step from the debacle we have had trying to find “The Right 53″.

What would be your thoughts on the Chiefs trading down?

This entry is filed under the category: NFL.