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The Kansas City Chiefs have found the left tackle they'll be taking with the No. 1 overall pick—it's just not man most expected heading into NFL draft week.
According to Charean Williams of Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Chiefs will be taking Central Michigan offensive tackle Eric Fisher when the draft gets underway at Radio City Music Hall:
Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk confirmed the report, noting a source close to the organization told Mike Florio that Fisher would be the the pick.
That being said, if these reports are true, Fisher is still in the dark. According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, the Central Michigan tackle has not been informed by Kansas City that he'll be taken No. 1:
Though momentum has been building to a crescendo for Fisher, this news will undoubtedly come as a shock to those who haven't followed the flurry of late-breaking information.
For months Texas A&M product Luke Joeckel had been expected to shake commissioner Roger Goodell's hand first on Thursday. Joeckel, an All-American who helped spur Johnny Manziel's Heisman trophy run, was viewed largely as a can't-miss prospect. His collegiate pedigree and ability to step in Week 1 made him look like the perfect fit for the Chiefs, who have made moves to compete in 2013 all offseason.
However, Fisher's top-pick momentum slowly built over the process and reached a crescendo over the past 24-48 hours. Listed at 6'7" and 306 pounds, Fisher spent his entire collegiate career demoralizing opposing edge-rushers at Central Michigan. Though the level of competition is a question, Fisher's quick burst off the line and commitment to staying low through his blocks made many feel his potential was higher than Joeckel.
And as the hours waned prior to Thursday night's festivities, more and more reports came pouring in that Fisher was quickly overtaking Joeckel on Kansas City's board.
Even so, there were few who had concrete word about which way the Chiefs were leaning, with reports of discord within the Kansas City organization only clouded things further. Bleacher Report NFL draft lead writer Matt Miller reported Wednesday that new Chiefs head coach Andy Reid wanted Fisher, while general manager John Dorsey was pushing for Joeckel:
Assuming that Williams' report proves correct, it seems that Reid has gotten his way.
Which tackle position Fisher will be playing in 2013 remains up in the air. While he will eventually shift over to the left tackle spot, incumbent left tackle Branden Albert's future with the Chiefs remains to be determined. Albert has been the subject of trade rumors (h/t Yahoo! Sports' Jason Cole) in the pre-draft process, but nothing is cemented at this time.
Nevertheless, Fisher reportedly is the left tackle of the future, but whether making that risky move is a good choice remains to be seen.
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