Kansas City Chiefs: 2012 Mock Draft 7-Round Predictions

Although we are one week into the offseason, general managers, coaches, scouts and players don't take a day off. While they may not be together the entire offseason, players are getting their workouts in while franchise employees, coaches and members of the front office devise a strategy on how to improve for the 2012 season.

Scott Pioli is entering his fourth year as the Chiefs general manager, and this offseason will be an important one for him as he has a lot to prove. Is this the year where Pioli can earn everyone's respect and approval rating after a huge step back in 2011?

Pioli has a strong reputation, and it is anticipated that he can help Kansas City be a successful franchise. He is known to be a good evaluator of talent and has come away with some very strong draft picks before.

This year, Pioli hopes to construct a strong draft class that can help the team win back the AFC West and get its second postseason appearance in three years.

Round 1: Riley Reiff, OT, Iowa

Drafting an offensive tackle, like Riley Reiff, from the University of Iowa will benefit the Chiefs in many ways.

Matt Cassel will have a better offensive line and can comfortably move to the right side of the pocket without having to worry about a defensive player coming chasing him around on every play.

The Chiefs also have Jamaal Charles returning from a torn ACL he suffered in Week 2 in Detroit. With Charles' breakaway speed, he will run a lot of his carries to the right and take advantage of Reiff's blocks and run to the outside to help the Chiefs move the offense forward.

Reiff was a successful run-blocker in Iowa as he helped pave the way for Marcus Coker to earn seven 100-yard rushing games.

Reiff, a versatile tackle, would most likely play right tackle and replace Barry Richardson while Branden Albert plays on the left side.

Round 2: David Wilson, RB, Virginia Tech

Many Chiefs fans are heavy on the idea that Trent Richardson will be selected by Pioli in the first round. While it isn't a bad idea, it would not work for the Chiefs unless they address the offensive line.

The Chiefs should seek a running back early in the draft. David Wilson will help carry the load with Charles in the backfield, along with Dexter McCluster, to create a corps of running backs with a lot of speed.

With Thomas Jones expected to retire, Charles could be the primary starter and get some help from Wilson. With Charles coming off an injury, he's going to need help from his backups in order to remain fresh and upbeat in 2012.

Wilson has the ability to make cuts to the outside and gash through holes provided by the offensive line. This Chiefs were ranked first in the league in rushing and will find similar success if they reach out to Wilson, who averaged 5.9 yard per carry in 2011 with Virginia Tech.

Round 3: Harrison Smith, S, Notre Dame

This might come as a surprise to many people who believe that the defense has very few holes. Keep in mind that from here on out in the draft, it is not expected that players can be immediate starters. Some players develop sooner than others.

Similar to Wilson, Harrison Smith would be helpful to keep the Chiefs safety rotation fresh. Like Charles, Eric Berry and company could use another body in the mix to stay fresh. If an injury occurs, the Chiefs will have a more viable safety and an upgrade over Sabby Piscitelli.

Round 4: Jarius Wright, WR, Arkansas

Pioli could find a diamond in the rough if he selects a player in Jarius Wright out of Arkansas.

Wright shattered school receiving records for receptions, yards and touchdowns in a single season this past year.

If the Chiefs are able to retain Dwayne Bowe, the Chiefs will have him alongside Jon Baldwin and Steve Breaston. Behind those three, Wright would help complete a very powerful corps of wide receivers and give Cassel many options. 

The Chiefs haven't had a lot of luck in special teams from recent draft picks Quinten Lawrence, McCluster and Javier Arenas. If the Chiefs continue to struggle on special teams, Wright deserves to be given the opportunity to be a return man on special teams.

Round 5: Jerry Franklin, ILB, Arkansas

It is rare that one team picks a player from the same school with back-to-back picks. However, the Chiefs should make an attempt to fill another void by drafting Jerry Franklin from Arkansas.

Derrick Johnson is no longer a player to be concerned about as he is turned into an elite linebacker.

Franklin could be active in the rotation with Johnson and Jovan Belcher or perhaps surprise people and challenge Belcher for a starting spot, giving Belcher motivation and help him improve.

The Chiefs rarely saw Demorrio Williams and Cory Greenwood this year on defense. It is likely that Crennel will bring in another linebacker through the draft.

Round 6: Antoine McClain, OG, Clemson

The Chiefs will try to improve their offensive line by adding a little bit of depth through the draft.

Antoine McClain should be available in the sixth round and would be a good option for Kansas City. McClain is one of the biggest guards entering the draft. He just isn't as well prepared for the NFL as other guards, so it might take him a while to develop.

Jon Asamoah and Ryan Lilja are expected to start at guard this season. With Casey Wiegmann retiring, Rodney Hudson will get every snap as a center, if healthy. The Chiefs have no other offensive guards behind their starters and might seek one at some point late in the draft.

Round 7: Terrence Frederick, CB, Texas A&M

There is not a lot that can be said about Terrence Frederick, considering he is projected to be selected this late in the draft. It is simply a chance for the Chiefs to add some depth to an already strong corps of cornerbacks, assuming Brandon Carr returns.

If Frederick survives training camp, then he will have to continue to fight for himself to make sure he can stay on the 53-man roster. If he is cut during or after the preseason, it isn't anything going be considered much of a loss.

Round 7 (from New England): Levy Adcock, OT, Oklahoma State

With Kansas City's final pick, it may bring in another player to help the offensive line. Levy Adcock is a multi-athlete who improved during his senior year at Oklahoma State and would be worth giving a shot.

The Chiefs rarely saw Steve Maneri play at offensive tackle, and they parted ways with Jared Gaither during the 2011 season. Like the offensive guards, the Chiefs don't have anything to work with behind their starters and will need to seek an offensive tackle in case an injury occurs.

Where Is the Quarterback?

I'm sure many fans who went through this slideshow were expecting to see a quarterback listed somewhere on here.

Kyle Orton obviously stunned a lot of us with his performance, but his status is up in the air. Even so, would the Chiefs start Orton over Cassel? If the Chiefs really want to bring in competition for Cassel, Orton is the first player to consider. But would Orton be okay with the idea?

For now, the Chiefs have Cassel and Ricky Stanzi as their quarterbacks. I know there is a heavy love affair for Stanzi because of the fact that he plays the quarterback position and he was drafted out of Iowa, a school not far from Kansas City. Fans cried out for Stanzi and wanted him to come in for Cassel and Tyler Palko.

The truth is, Stanzi was passed up on through four rounds of the 2011 NFL draft. There is a reason why Stanzi did not play a single snap in the regular season.

Think about it. If the Chiefs draft a quarterback in April (and I'm assuming it won't be Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III), then Cassel will most likely be backed up by Stanzi and a rookie quarterback. Cassel will be backed up by two quarterbacks who have never played a snap in the NFL's regular season. Therefore, if Cassel suffers another injury, then the Chiefs offense will be led by a quarterback with zero experience as a professional.

Kansas City's best bet to bring in another quarterback would be Orton. If Orton is not going to return, then the Chiefs will have to go after a backup quarterback who has been in the league for a few years, rather than have two young quarterbacks with no experience.

The Chiefs should still keep Stanzi and let him play late in the fourth quarter of a game in the regular season if there is a blowout taking place. Perhaps the Chiefs could see what they have in Stanzi and see if there is some potential for him in the future when, and if, Cassel leaves.