2013 NFL Mock Draft: Chiefs select Geno Smith with top pick

After finishing the season 2-14, the Kansas City Chiefs own the top overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Chiefs fans will speculate for months leading up to the draft on what Kansas City should do with the pick, and who the Chiefs ultimately should take.

In SB Nation's latest mock draft released Monday morning, the Chiefs are slated to pick West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Geno Smith with the No. 1 overall pick.

Smith is not the best player in the 2013 NFL Draft. We have him rated as the 16th best prospect overall. But it won't be a surprise for the Chiefs to use the top pick on him because of how desperately they need a starting quarterback. Of course if Kansas City reloads its front office, the Chiefs could go after a veteran free agent. Or fall in love with another quarterback in the draft. It's also true that Smith faded toward the end of the season, but he still has good talent. To really secure a top five draft position, Smith should participate in the Senior Bowl. His combine measurables will also be important - namely his hand size after he had issues holding the ball in the Pinstripe Bowl.

Smith certainly isn't in the same class as Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III -- the top two picks of the 2012 NFL Draft. Smith, though, does have plenty of athleticism, and would provide a spark at the quarterback position that the Chiefs haven't seen in quite awhile.

Still, selecting Smith with the No. 1 overall pick is almost certainly a reach. The senior quarterback threw for 4,201 yards and 42 touchdowns, while completing over 71% of his passes.

A lot can and will change between now and April, but expect the Chiefs to be linked to Smith, and perhaps other quarterbacks, as the calendar moves closer to the 2013 NFL Draft.