Why the Smart Idea for the Chiefs is to Trade Up for Ryan Tannehill

The Kansas City Chiefs do not have many pressing needs. A few of their biggest needs will be filled by returning studs off of injury, namely Jamaal Charles at running back and Eric Berry at safety.

Two Pro Bowl acquisitions without spending an extra dime.

Sure, the Chiefs lost Brandon Carr but they replaced him with Stanford Routt before Carr even bolted for America’s Team, and they have been one of the most active and impressive teams in free agency, signing guys like Peyton Hillis, Eric Winston, and Kevin Boss to help solidify their depth.

These reasons are just a few of why I believe the Chiefs would be foolish not to deal some picks and move up to acquire Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill. The Chiefs, whether they’re being honest or not, have leaked information that they are going to meet with Tannehill before the draft. Since there’s really no way he’s lasting past the eighth pick to the Miami Dolphins, I think the Chiefs should get on the good graces of the Jacksonvill Jaguars, and get ready to strike up a deal the minute that sixth pick is turned in.

I don’t know what it would take to make such a move, but the Chiefs–like I said–don’t have many serious needs on their roster right now. They do, however, have a need at quarterback of the future with Matt Cassel just not getting it done for me. I think that trade was a mistake and an overreaction to one good year. Cassel has helped the Chiefs win a division title and make the playoffs two years ago, but like former Chiefs quarterback Kyle Orton, he’s really just a glorified backup in my opinion. You can disagree and point to whatever numbers you want, but the fact remains that elite quarterbacks make their team better, and I simply think that Cassel is holding the Chiefs back. He’s not a top tier quarterback, and that I won’t even really argue with.

I think last year was a “prove it” year for Cassel, and he proved to me that he’s just a very average player. He had a great 2010 season, which was a big reason why the Chiefs won the AFC West and looked like one of the best up-and-coming teams in the league, but I think it’s time for Kansas City to move on from that investment and turn their focus on Ryan Tannehill, who is considered a lock top ten pick and many believe he can be a franchise quarterback in this league.

Tannehill is a great athlete who makes guys around him better, and I think taking a shot on him would go against Kansas City’s style, but it certainly would be the right move with all of their offensive firepower. Can Cassel take advantage? We may or may not see. He has missed eight games over the last two years bringing up durability concerns, so maybe it is time to move on.

I may be wrong, or I may be right, but I think it’s time for the Chiefs to move on from Matt Cassel and make Ryan Tannehill their next quarterback of the future.

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