Kansas City Chiefs: 6 Bold Predictions for Their New Free Agents in 2012

After a slow start in free agency this year, the Kansas City Chiefs have put together a solid group of free agents, including several players who should make an impact on the team this season.

OT Eric Winston, QB Brady Quinn, RB Peyton Hillis, TE Kevin Boss and CB Stanford Routt make up the five-man FA class that makes its debut for the Chiefs this year.

Here are my bold predictions for the team's new free agents in 2012.

Peyton Hillis Will Rush for over 1,000 Yards

New Chiefs RB Peyton Hillis has only rushed for 1,000-plus yards once during his career.

However, it appears that he will have a great chance to that again this season with his new team.

Hillis will have the luxury of playing with Pro Bowl running back Jamaal Charles and running behind an offensive line that will be very solid in run blocking.

If both Hillis and Charles can reach the 1,000-yard mark this year, it will be the first time in franchise history that KC has had two backs accomplish that feat in the same campaign.

Kevin Boss Will Have at Least 6 TD Receptions

The Chiefs added free agent TE Kevin Boss this offseason in order to help bolster their passing attack.

Although Boss hasn't scored six touchdowns in a season since 2008, I see no reason why he can't do this in 2012.

At 6'6", he will be a huge mismatch for opposing defenses in the red zone, especially when he will be used in two TE sets with second-year man Tony Moeaki.

The ex-Raider could be in for a big year with the Chiefs, considering the fact that defenses will have to worry about many other weapons on KC's offense this season.

Eric Winston Will Make His First Pro Bowl

For the last few years, former Texans RT Eric Winston has been knocking on the door of a Pro Bowl selection.

This year, that will all change.

I see the Chiefs new right tackle finally getting his first Pro Bowl selection in 2012, as he will become the anchor of KC's offensive line this season.

Out of the five FA signings made by the Chiefs so far this offseason, I expect Winston to make the biggest impact this year.

Stanford Routt Will Have at Least 5 Interceptions

This might be my boldest prediction on this entire list.

New KC cornerback Stanford Routt has never picked off more than four passes in his career, but I think that it can happen in his first season in Kansas City.

With the emergence of OLB Justin Houston and star safety Eric Berry set to make his return this season, the KC pass rush will instantly get much better.

This will help free up more INT opportunities for the Chiefs secondary, which will greatly benefit players like Routt.

Brady Quinn Will Be the Starting QB at Some Point This Season

Unlike the other four free agents on this list, I don't see new Chiefs QB Brady Quinn making much of an impact this season.

He was brought in to hopefully provide some competition for starter Matt Cassel, but all signs point to him becoming the primary backup for Cassel this year.

That being said, there is a good chance that he could come in and get some playing time if Cassel starts to struggle, or if he gets hurt again.

Although I have predicted for him to get some playing time in 2012, I don't see it lasting for very long.

The Chiefs' New FAs Will Help Guide Them to an AFC West Title This Year

Chiefs GM Scott Pioli should be very happy with the free agent class that he has assembled for his team so far this offseason.

He was able to fill several holes by landing a Pro Bowl-caliber RT and three other impact players in the process.

With not many holes on KC's current roster, this team is set up nicely for another division title in 2012.

That's why I fully expect the Chiefs to win their second AFC West title in three years, with the help of their new free agents.