NFL Mock Draft 2013: Reid, Chiefs could start new regime with new QB

The Kansas City Chiefs, due to their 2-14 record in the 2012 NFL regular season, have both a new head coach in Andy Reid and the top overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, and according to one mock, they are predicted to go with a new quarterback to get this fresh start for the franchise underway.

In his latest mock draft, updated on Jan. 14, SB Nation's Dan Kadar has the Chiefs selecting West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Geno Smith with the first pick in the draft.

Though Kadar writes that the pick shouldn't be viewed as a lock, Smith is the best quarterback prospect available:

For now Smith is still being pegged as the choice for the Kansas City Chiefs. There are plenty of reasons why Smith may not be the first overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. Perhaps new Chiefs head coach Andy Reid thinks he can rejuvenate the career of Matt Cassel. Or maybe new general manager John Dorsey will want to go after Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Flynn, whom Dorsey had in Green Bay. The even less educated guess is that the Chiefs can wait until a later round to draft a quarterback. That's assuming a quarterback the Chiefs like will drop to the 34th pick. But for every Russell Wilson or Colin Kaepernick, there are countless Jimmy Clausen's, Pat White's and Brian Brohm's.

Smith has flaws, undoubtedly. But he should grade out as the top quarterback in this year's draft. Because of that, he (for now) has to be choice for Kansas City. This season we saw Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin turn their franchises around as rookies. With the weapons the Chiefs have, Smith has a chance to do the same.

Smith ended his West Virginia career in 2012 throwing for 4,205 yards -- completing 71.2 percent of his throws -- along with 42 touchdowns and six interceptions. On Sept. 29, 2012, Smith made his big splash onto the national college football scene when he threw for 656 yards, eight touchdowns and no interceptions in a 70-63 win over the Baylor Bears.