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NFL Mock Draft 2013: Chiefs take Luke Joeckel at No. 1 overall

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After the Chiefs placed Branden Albert under the franchise tag, many assumed that the team would not be targeting a left tackle with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. SB Nation's latest mock draft says "not so fast."

Joe Robbins

The Kansas City Chiefs have been a fascinating team to follow during the 2013 offseason. After a flurry activity that included a trade for quarterback Alex Smith and Branden Albert landing the team's franchise tag, it's still unclear what the Chiefs want to do with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Earlier this week, head coach Andy Reid admitted he was wide open to the idea of trading back in the draft. In SB Nation's latest mock draft, however, Matthew Fairburn not only sees the Chiefs keeping the pick, but targeting Texas A&M left tackle Luke Joeckel despite Albert's presence on the roster.

For the first time this draft season, I have the Kansas City Chiefs selecting Luke Joeckel. While the team franchised Branden Albert, that is not a guarantee that he will be with the team next season. Even if he is, he will only be on a one-year deal. Joeckel is arguably the top prospect in the draft.

Joeckel would certainly be an intriguing selection, since it would imply that Albert is on his way out of Kansas City. Organizations don't usually place their franchise tag on a player only to send him packing a few weeks later.

There is no denying that Joeckel is a worthy No. 1 pick, however. SB Nation's Dan Kadar raved about Joeckel in his scouting report, calling the 6'6, 306-pound left tackle "effortless" in pass-blocking, with the temperament to be a star at the next level. Outside of a few struggles against elite pass rushers in college, there is little to not like about Joeckel's game. Though it's unclear what the organization would do to make room, Joeckel certainly could excel in a Chiefs uniform.

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