The Kansas City Chiefs are reportedly shopping left tackle and franchise player Branden Albert to other teams as the NFL draft approaches and so far two destinations have come up, with the Miami Dolphins and San Diego Chargers looking like possible options.
According to ESPN.com, the Chargers would be in play for Albert despite the Dolphins being the favorite, as they have a huge need at the position and the team has a solid second round pick. The Chargers just released Jared Gaither after a disappointing and injury-plagued season and now are in the market for another left tackle. The team wanted to get rid of him so bad that they incurred a $6 million salary cap hit.
The Chiefs have shown a willingness to trade Albert due to the fact that the team has the number one overall draft pick and this year two of the top lineman in all of college football are available in Luke Joeckel and Eric Fisher, who are expected to be the selections. Kansas City also had to give up their second round pick in the trade for quarterback Alex Smith and they would love to get one back to add more depth to the roster and the Chargers could be willing to give it up.
San Diego ranked 27th in rushing offense last season and part of the reason was due to the fact that they couldn't block anyone. Quarterback Philip Rivers was sacked consistently and never could find his rhythm and the Chargers are looking to upgrade the offensive line under new head coach Mike McCoy. Albert is a former first round pick and was one of the top blockers in the NFL last season, helping the Chiefs to a top five rushing attack while ranking as the most efficient left tackle in the league.
The Chargers are in an interesting situation, as they have the 11th overall pick and could be in line to grab one of the top three lineman in the draft depending on how things shake out. If the team can't work out a deal for Albert, they may target Fisher and Joeckel if they slip through the top 10, as well as Oklahoma left tackle Lane Johnson, who is considered the next-best lineman after the top two.
The Chiefs are likely to take one of those two players, while the wild card for the Chargers is quarterback Geno Smith, as a number of teams that also are looking for linemen are also seeking a quarterback. Johnson could be selected in the top 10 if Smith goes early, but if he slips a bit, the Cardinals could decide to take him, likely leaving Johnson for the Chargers.
The Chargers went just 7-9 last year and head coach Norv Turner and general manager AJ Smith were dismissed after the season. The team ranked 24th and 27th in passing yards and rushing yards per game and had issues playing consistently all season, losing seven of eight games at one point. The Chargers finished on a two game winning streak and ended the year with a 24-21 victory over the Raiders.
