On a normal year, Roger Goodell would walk to a microphone at the start of April's draft and say, "With the first overall pick of the 2013 draft, the Kansas City Chiefs select [insert quarterback name here]. That may not be the case this season for two reasons. Number one, the QB class this season looks weak at best, and number two, there are a handful of possible starters that are on the bench of their current teams looking to be either released or traded.
The big name quarterbacks that may be available in free agency and are definitely available for trade are Matt Flynn, currently with the Seattle Seahawks, and Alex Smith, currently with the 49ers. In addition, Mike Garafolo of USA Today reports that the Chiefs have talked to the Eagles about the potential of bringing quarterback Nick Foles to Kansas City.
With so many highly regarded backups up for grabs, how will the NFL draft play out? More specifically, where will Geno Smith fall to if the Chiefs find their quarterback elsewhere?
The truth of the matter is that we just don't know the answer to those questions. For the first time in recent memory, free agency and trade talks will shape the top of the draft. If the Chiefs work out a deal for Foles, Geno Smith is likely off the table. If that doesn't happen, the Chiefs may choose to pick Smith, or they could pick a quarterback at the top of the second round instead. It's really a strange offseason for quarterbacks.
By draft day, we'll know a lot more about who will go at the top of the draft, but we really do have to wait to see how free agency and trades play out this offseason. It's those two components that will influence the draft, not the other way around.
