Players Worthy of the Chiefs' No. 1 Pick

New Kansas City Chiefs general manager John Dorsey has already made major changes to the franchise since he took over this offseason.

Dorsey traded for quarterback Alex Smith, signed free agent cornerback Sean Smith and is allegedly in talks with the Miami Dolphins to trade franchised offensive tackle Branden Albert.

Dorsey and new head coach Andy Reid can also make a statement with the first overall selection in the 2013 NFL draft.

While mock drafts and pundits’ work to find out who the Chiefs will pick, I have put together a case for seven players who deserve to be the top pick.  

Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

Even though the Chiefs traded away a second-round pick this year and a conditional selection in 2014 for quarterback Alex Smith, Geno Smith is considered by many to be the best quarterback in the 2013 NFL draft. 

Chiefs GM John Dorsey was part of the brain trust in Green Bay that selected quarterback Aaron Rodgers, even though Brett Favre was the starter.

Head coach Andy Reid was the main proponent for the Philadelphia Eagles selecting quarterback Donovan McNabb in the first round in 1999.  Smith has proven he can grasp a pro-style offense and with Smith already on the roster, Smith would not be forced to play right away.

Smith can wait a year or two before taking the reins in Kansas City.

Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan

No player in the 2013 NFL draft has seen his stock rise as fast and as far as Eric Fisher.

Heading into the 2012 college football season, Fisher was not even listed among the top-five offensive tackles eligible for the 2013 NFL draft.  In nine months, Fisher not only has become the top offensive tackle in many people’s mind, but maybe the No. 1 player overall in this draft.

With comparisons to current San Francisco 49er and fellow former-Central Michigan offensive tackle Joe Staley, Fisher is one of the best players available for the Chiefs.

Fisher used a dominant performance at the Senior Bowl practices and game to put himself in discussion to be the first offensive tackle taken.  The fact he can play left or right tackle only adds to his value.

Luke Joeckel, OT, Texas A&M

When Luke Joeckel declared for the NFL draft after the season, he was the clear-cut No. 1 tackle available.

Joeckel is athletic, strong and has the build of a franchise left tackle.  With comparisons to Pro Bowler, Jake Long, Joeckel would make an outstanding addition to the Chiefs' offensive line.

With all the trade talk circulating about current Kansas City Chiefs left tackle Branden Albert, the drafting of Joeckel would almost guarantee that Albert would be shipped out of town.

While Fisher has more versatility, Joeckel is strictly a left tackle and if the Chiefs select him No. 1 overall, he will not be sitting on the bench behind Albert.  Joeckel is a stud player and will be starting in the NFL in 2013 and beyond.

Dee Milliner, CB, Alabama

One of the best cornerbacks in the country, Dee Milliner was a key member of the defense for national champ Alabama and shut down some of the best wide receivers in the college game. 

Milliner played in a pro-style defense and would give the Chiefs three of the biggest and strongest cornerbacks in the NFL.  Following the formula of former Green Bay Packers co-worker, Chiefs GM John Dorsey sees the success John Schneider has in Seattle with a dominant secondary.

Milliner has major injury red flags and may not be ready until training camp.  With the signing of cornerback Sean Smith from the Miami Dolphins and Brandon Flowers on the other side, Milliner could be eased into the NFL slowly.

The Chiefs also have Dunta Robinson and Javier Arenas on the roster so playing right away would not be imperative for Milliner.  His talent level is hard to find and many teams covet his play-making ability.

Dion Jordan, OLB, Oregon

Dion Jordan is a favorite of a lot of NFL teams and has seen his stock steadily rise since the end of the college season.

Jordan had a solid combine performance and is viewed as the best pass-rush option in the 2013 NFL draft.  Jordan can create havoc off the edge with multiple pass-rush moves. The addition of Jordan to the Chiefs' defense would only make the unit better.

Like the cornerback position, the Chiefs do not have a need at outside linebacker. Tamba Hali and Justin Houston are both Pro Bowl players, but if the Chiefs are truly drafting the best player available, Jordan’s college film and production speak for themselves.

Think of the multiple defensive fronts that new defensive coordinator Bob Sutton could use with Houston, Hali and Jordan all on the field at the same time.  It is hard to block them all and this would only make the secondary better.

Sharrif Floyd, DT, Florida

Sharriff Floyd provides interior pass-rush and hustle that the Chiefs do not currently have. 

Chiefs GM John Dorsey and head coach Andy Reid signed defensive end Mike DeVito at defensive coordinator Bob Sutton’s urging from the New York Jets.  While DeVito is a solid player, pairing him with Tyson Jackson, Dontari Poe and Floyd would make the Chiefs' defensive front a pass-rushing force.

The Chiefs lost underachieving defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey in free agency.  By adding Floyd as an interior pass-rusher, outside linebackers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston would get more one-on-one matchups as pass-rushers.

The Chiefs could line Floyd up as a defensive end, one-technique defensive tackle or even up over center.  His versatility makes him an ideal candidate for the Chiefs' new defensive scheme.

Star Lotulelei, DT, Utah

Star Lotulelei was projected to be the No. 1 selection in the 2013 NFL draft before his senior season and did nothing to change that status until the NFL combine.

Medical red flags about his heart condition forced NFL teams to re-evaluate his draft stock, and in the national media’s eye, took Lotulelei out of the discussion to be even a top-10 pick.  After passing countless medical examinations, Lotulelei was deemed healthy and deserves to earn his place back atop of the NFL draft boards.

For the Chiefs, Lotulelei adds a powerful nose tackle who can control the middle of the offensive line.  Lotulelei can eat up two or three blockers, allowing the inside linebackers of the Chiefs—Akeem Jordan and Pro Bowler Derrick Johnson—to rush and tackle.

The addition of Lotulelei also forces last year’s first-round selection, Dontari Poe, to step up his game if he wants playing time.

Lotulelei can make a case that he is the best defensive player in the draft.

Final conclusion

The Chiefs do not need a cornerback due the depth and talent at the position so that eliminates Dee Milliner. The outside linebacker position for the Chiefs is also one of strength so Dion Jordan will be drafted by another team. 

While the addition of quarterback Geno Smith would bolster the depth and talent at the position, the Chiefs added Alex Smith and Chase Daniel this offseason so Smith may slide in the draft. 

The additions of defensive tackles, either Sharrif Floyd or Star Lotulelei, would make the Chiefs' defense even more dominant, as they recently added Mike DeVito and have to see what they have in Dontari Poe.

This leaves the two offensive tackles, Luke Joeckel and Eric Fisher.  While both players are franchise-type players, the pick here goes to Fisher.  He is more versatile and if the Chiefs cannot trade Branden Albert or decide to keep him, sliding Fisher over to right tackle for a year would strengthen the entire offensive line. 

Look for former two-star high school recruit Eric Fisher to be the No. 1 selection in the 2013 NFL draft.