Picture Andy Reid at the NFL draft war room, his play-calling genius swapped for poker-faced strategy. The man who turned Patrick Mahomes into a football Picasso now stares down a high-stakes dilemma: play it safe or go all-in? It’s like watching a seasoned pit master debating whether to stick with his legendary brisket recipe or toss a wild-card rub into the mix. For Chiefs fans, this isn’t just draft night—it’s Draft Day meets Moneyball, with Reid holding the chips.
Now, the plot thickens. NFL Network’s Eric Edholm projects Kansas City trading up to snag Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, a 6’5”, 320-pound wrecking ball. “From 2016 through 2019, the Chiefs drafted six interior defensive linemen, five in the top 85 overall; since then, they’ve drafted one DT (Keondre Coburn, a sixth-rounder in 2023),” Edholm notes, pointing to the Chiefs’ dwindling investment in defensive linemen since 2019.
“Hence the desire to trade up ahead of some DL-needy teams for Harmon, who could be an eventual replacement for Chris Jones with his length and athletic twitch,” Edholm later adds. But here’s the thing Mahomes was sacked 36 times last year. Do you gamble on Harmon’s upside or fix the offensive line? Reid’s move could define Kansas City’s dynasty—or crack its foundation.
Harmon isn’t just a human wall. He’s a disruptor, racking up 55 pressures in 2024—tops among college interior linemen. His first-step quickness? Think Randy Johnson’s fastball: explosive, unpredictable, and game-changing. But Kansas City’s O-line woes are the elephant in the room. Mahomes’ 36 regular-season sacks scream urgency. However, Reid’s history leans bold. Remember trading up for Mahomes in 2017?
This feels familiar—a high-risk, high-reward swing. Critics argue Harmon’s raw power needs polishing. He’s a project. But Reid thrives on projects. Chris Jones himself was a second-round gamble in 2016. Pairing Harmon with Jones now?
That’s like adding a nitro boost to Spagnuolo’s defense. Still, Patrick Mahomes’ protection can’t be ignored. Which thread does Reid pull first? Meanwhile, whispers swirl about another bold move.
Reid’s tight end gambit: Goedert in red and gold?
It’s about trading for Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert. At 30, Goedert’s 496-yard 2024 season hints at untapped potential. NFL Trade Rumors suggests a fourth-round pick could pry him from Philly. “Goedert could help solve both problems. It’s not that he would be Kansas City’s starting tight end for a decade, but he can help boost the offense now and ease the transition whenever [Travis Kelce] retires,” analyst Ethan Woodle argues. But here’s another thing.
Kelce’s shadow looms large. Paying $14M for a backup? That’s like buying a Ferrari to park behind a Lamborghini. However, Reid loves two-tight end sets. Goedert’s postseason grit—215 yards and a TD last run—fits Kansas City’s clutch DNA. Imagine Mahomes threading needles to both Kelce and Goedert. Defenses would sweat like a rookie in a blitz drill. But cap space isn’t infinite. Is splurging on Goedert savvy or shortsighted?
Nov 5, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (88) runs with the ball against Dallas Cowboys safety Markquese Bell (14) after a catch during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Andy Reid’s brilliance lies in balancing tomorrow’s promise with today’s glory. Drafting Harmon secures a Jones heir while trading for Goedert hedges against Kelce’s twilight. Both moves scream “win-now,” but at what cost? For a coach with three rings, the margin between genius and folly is razor-thin.
As Reid mulls his options, he might recall a line from The Godfather: “Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.” Trading with the Eagles for Goedert? Poetic. But in this high-stakes chess match, every move risks checkmate. Whatever Andy Reid chooses, one thing’s certain: Kansas City’s dynasty won’t fade quietly. Not on his watch.
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