Stage Set for a Big Chiefs Move?

Amidst all the traditional pre-draft speculating and sandbagging, the Kansas City Chiefs went out and made some actual news, dealing disgruntled tight end Tony Gonzalez to Atlanta for a 2010 second-round pick.

It's a trade that certainly sent shock waves through K.C., what with one of the best and most popular players in franchise history being sent packing. It should open some eyes around the league, too, with Gonzalez finding a near-perfect fit with Matt Ryan in Atlanta. More than that, though, the deal could have ripple effects through the entire weekend -- the Chiefs' No. 3 pick is more in play now than ever, and there will be at least a handful of teams looking to take advantage.

What has become very apparent, and not the least bit surprising, is that new Kansas City general manager Scott Pioli is going to do what it takes to get the guys he wants on the roster. The trade for Matt Cassel and the unceremonious unloading of Gonzalez make that pretty apparent.

The way things currently sit, Pioli's not going to be able to do as much damage as he'd like in the draft. Kansas City has the No. 3 pick, then nothing in the second round because of the Cassel acquisition. Aaron Curry looks like he could be a nice fit in the three slot, but sitting around for 64 selections after that, until K.C. comes up again at No. 67, is not going to make Pioli happy. And he didn't try to hide that fact after the Gonzalez deal became official.

"The pick that is the 2010 pick right now is, as we sit here, could very well be a pick that's a second round in 2010 but that pick, as you all know can be used in a lot of different ways and can somehow end up being a pick that's used in the draft this year. So, in terms of us continuing to bring in players and build a roster with players it may be that pick will be the Falcons pick next year or it may be a different pick this year or several picks."

Aside from setting a world record for using the word "pick" the most times in one statement, Pioli basically slapped a "We're Open For Business" sign around his neck heading to New York.

Some team may be willing to jump up to No. 3 to swipe Curry away from the rest of the field, but the Chiefs' situation becomes much rosier if Matthew Stafford agrees with Detroit at No. 1. Should that happen, Mark Sanchez becomes the crown jewel available at three, one spot before Seattle could very well take him. Pioli can then make a list of all the teams that might want a quarterback upgrade -- the Jets, Washington, Denver, Minnesota -- and put them in a bidding war. Heck, even Seattle might give up something later in the draft to simply swap spots with Kansas City and grab Sanchez.

While the Lions have seemingly been unable to find anyone that wants the No. 1 pick, Kansas City may find itself sitting on a gold mine just two picks later. You can't definitively count on much heading into the draft, but trust me on this one: The Chiefs are going to be active early and often, if Pioli has anything to say about it.