Luke Joeckel has been the favorite to be selected first overall by the Kansas City Chiefs but that isn’t a done deal. Photo Credit: USA Today Sports Images

For much of the 2013 NFL Draft process Texas A&M tackle Luke Joeckel has been the favorite to be taken with the first overall pick by the Kansas City Chiefs.

However, some draftniks have suggested that Central Michigan’s maybe be an equal, or even better, selection. There is reportedly a faction of Kansas City Chiefs position coaches who agree:

Sources tell me several position coaches for the Kansas City Chiefs prefer tackle Eric Fisher over Luke Joeckel….

— Tony Pauline (@TonyPauline) April 20, 2013

If the Chiefs decide to go with Fisher it might increases the chances that a second offensive tackle doesn’t come off the board before the Lions get on the clock. What the Philadelphia Eagles will is still considered rather unpredictable but it would seem that Fisher would be a better fit than Joeckel for the offense Chip Kelly is bringing to town. The wild card is the Oakland Raiders with the third overall pick who could look to trade the pick to a team targeting a tackle.

[RELATED: Could the Oakland Raiders Ruin the Detroit Lions’ Draft Plans?]

This will be an interesting development to follow as the draft gets closer. The draft doesn’t officially open until Thursday night but for all intents and purposes, the Chiefs are already on the clock. It would be a huge surprise if we didn’t know who the Chiefs had settled on well in advance of draft night.

There doesn’t appear to be any evidence at this point that the game will be delayed, cancelled or otherwise rescheduled. All we know for now is that the NFL has advised the Panthers’ team plane to travel as scheduled:

Panthers interim GM Brandon Beane says league has advised team to travel as planned. Team charter leaves at 1:15 pm.

— Joe Person (@josephperson) December 1, 2012

Panthers’ travel plans staying on schedule doesn’t mean the game will go on Sunday for sure, but it appears to be headed that way.

— Joe Person (@josephperson) December 1, 2012

How the league handles this game is sure to be heavily scrutinized. Stay tuned to Arrowhead Addict and FanSided.com as the story develops.

November 12, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Jovan Belcher (59) on the field before playing the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. The Pittsburgh Steelers won 16-13 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE

At 1-10 the Kansas City Chiefs have been enduring a tough season. The trials and tribulations of a disappointing season pale in comparison to what they are dealing with today.

Reports came out of Kansas City this morning that a player and one other person had been shot. The story only gets worse as more details emerge.

The player involved has been identified as linebacker Jovan Belcher. What is known at this time is that Belcher shot and killed his girlfriend at a local house before driving to the Chiefs’ practice facility where he committed suicide in the parking lot.

The Chiefs official website had a feature on Belcher less than two weeks ago to highlight his drive and determination to succeed after coming into the league four years ago as an undrafted free agent.

Today’s sad news just goes to show how difficult it can be to know what someone might be dealing with silently and highlights that the men we cheer (and sometimes boo) are human beings with lives that extend beyond the football field and outside the public eye.

The Kansas City Chiefs are scheduled to host the Carolina Panthers tomorrow afternoon. There is no word yet on if that game will go on as scheduled.

Stay tuned to Arrowhead Addict and FanSided.com for more on this developing story.