The Kansas City Chiefs are attempting to piece together a team after being the league's worst club last season. The first step was signing quarterback Alex Smith. Then the Chiefs added more pieces by re-signing wide receiver Dwyane Bowe and left tackle Branden Albert. Now the only decision left for the team to make is what to do with that No. 1 overall draft pick. Kansas City has their choice at any player in this year's draft and reports are now saying the team might take Alabama cornerback Dee Milliner No. 1.
Acquiring Smith eliminated any discussions that the Chiefs might take a quarterback with the first pick. Retaining five-year starter Albert means the team will most likely not look towards players like Texas A&M left tackle Luke Joeckel or Central Michigan's Eric Fisher, who are the best tackles in this year's draft class. After shelling out a big contract to Albert, it does not make any sense to then draft a player to back him up.
NFL senior analyst Gil Brandt believes that Milliner now has the best shot at getting picked first. Pieces are falling into place that indicates Kansas City will look towards needs in the secondary and try to get the top cornerback.
There is still the option that Kansas City will attempt to trade the No. 1 pick to another team. During the NFL Combine, head coach Andy Reid said the team was evaluating all options in regards to the top pick.
"It's a pretty valuable pick I'd say," Reid said.
Milliner would be a valuable player to acquire. A unanimous first-team All-American, Milliner is considered to be the defensive player in this year's draft. He had a standout performance at this year's combine, including running a 4.37 40-yard dash time, solidifying himself as an easy selection for a top 10 pick.
Most draft analysts originally had Milliner going to the Detroit Lions with the fifth pick since the team is in the market for a new cornerback. However with the recent trades by the Chiefs, he has now been moved to the top of the draft board.
Alabama has not had a player selected No. 1 overall during the post-NFL/AFL merger. Quarterback Joe Namath was selected first overall in the 1965 AFL Draft. Linebacker Cornelius Bennett was selected second overall to the Indianapolis Colts in 1987.
