Chiefs Mock Draft: Instant Contributors Kansas City Can Find in Every Round

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After the conclusion of the Super Bowl aftermath, the attention will shift toward the NFL Draft and the Kansas City Chiefs will be mentioned a lot since they own the first pick.

The Chiefs also own a high draft pick in every round of the draft. That means the Chiefs can find players with first-round potential in the second round when they are up to pick and players with second-round potential in the third round when they are up to pick.

Chiefs general manager John Dorsey has an opportunity to recruit a lot of skilled players to Kansas City.

Here is an updated Chiefs mock draft. You can compare this mock draft to my previous mock drafts I've predicted for the Chiefs so far.

Dec. 31 mock draft

Jan. 20 mock draft

Round 1: Geno Smith, QB, West Virginia

Geno Smith NFL Player Comparison

Prediction on Dec. 31: Geno Smith, QB, WVU

Prediction on Jan. 20: Geno Smith, QB, WVU

There is a high consensus that there is no quarterback worth taking No. 1 overall in this year's draft and that the Chiefs should take Luke Joeckel from Texas A&M.

But the Chiefs can try and re-sign Branden Albert and give Donald Stephenson a chance to prove himself at the left side. While Joeckel might be the best player in this year's draft, the Chiefs know they need a quarterback.

Although many would say Kansas City could trade down, that means Jacksonville would make a move with its No. 2 overall pick in the draft and replace Blaine Gabbert with Geno Smith.

Taking Smith would be a big boost for Kansas City's offense and help them move forward. After all, rookie quarterbacks Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson all led their teams to the postseason. With last year's quarterback draft class impressing many fans, teams will focus more on quarterbacks this year and see if any of them can do the same thing.

Round 2: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia

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Prediction on Dec. 31: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Clemson

Prediction on Jan 20: Jordan Poyer, CB, Oregon State

The Chiefs can land themselves a huge utility player in Tavon Austin. The Chiefs haven't seen much of that from Dexter McCluster nor Shaun Draughn. Austin shined during his senior year under Dana Holgorsen's offense and can help flip the Chiefs offense and special teams.

Kansas City's offense needs far more help than the defense does. While Jordan Poyer could start at cornerback opposite of Brandon Flowers, a wiser move could be to consider an offensive player who can help the Chiefs move the chains more often.

That player is Austin as his dual-threat abilities were displayed this past year with the Mountaineers.

Round 3: Robert Alford, CB, Southeastern Louisiana

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Prediction on Dec. 31: Jamar Taylor, CB, Boise State

Prediction on Jan 20: Kevin Reddick, ILB, North Carolina

Although Brandon Carr hasn't worn a Chiefs uniform in over a year, his loss is still highly noticed. Stanford Routt, who filled in for Carr, was a disaster and let go midway through the season.

While Robert Alford shined at Southeastern Louisiana, he was a household name during the Senior Bowl.

Alford took the opening kickoff back 88 yards to the North 12-yard line to give South an early start. He also intercepted a pass on a two-point conversion attempted to help his team secure a 21-16 victory.

Drafting Alford in the third round would be a huge steal and the Chiefs have another versatile player from the draft.

Round 4: Khaled Holmes, C, USC

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Prediction on Dec. 31: Mike Glennon, QB, North Carolina State

Prediction on Jan. 20: Khaled Holmes, C, USC

Rodney Hudson missed a majority of 2012 due to a leg injury. After starting the first three games during his second season in the league, Hudson was placed on injured reserve and Ryan Lilja switched from guard to center.

Lilja stepped up and played well as a center, but decided to retire after nine years in the league.

Assuming Hudson returns to his starting role, Khaled Holmes could start off as a backup to Hudson. If Hudson suffers another injury, Holmes could see plenty of action during his rookie season.

If Holmes plays well in the preseason and shows that he can help control the line of scrimmage, the Chiefs may have a rare player on their hands.

Round 5: Tanner Hawkinson, T, Kansas

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Prediction on Dec. 31: Joseph Fauria, TE, UCLA

Prediction on Jan. 20: Tanner Hawkinson, T, Kansas

Tanner Hawkinson played a big role in helping the running backs at Kansas succeed. Despite finding very few wins for the Jayhawks, Hawkinson was a bright spot for Kansas. Hawkinson improved in his final year with Kansas under head coach Charlie Weis.

He can come to Kansas City and carry over the skills he had in Kansas. If Hawkinson gets a chance to start, he'd be able to open up some holes for Jamaal Charles.

Round 6: Lonnie Pryor, FB, Florida State

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Prediction on Dec. 31: Graham Pocic, C, Illinois

Prediction on Jan 20: Lonnie Pryor, FB, Florida State

The Chiefs need a new look on offense after carrying more running backs and tight ends and no traditional fullbacks. Lonnie Pryor, although he is projected to be drafted late, is a fullback who could start for the Chiefs right away, not because the Chiefs have no fullbacks, but he showed he can be a good fullback while with Florida State.

He carried the ball seven times for 65 yards during the season. But in the Orange Bowl against Northern Illinois, he lifted Florida State early after rushing for 134 yards and a pair of touchdowns off five touches on the ground.

Pryor, the 2013 Orange Bowl MVP, would be a great fit for Andy Reid’s offense, which is missing a fullback since the Chiefs decided to run a different offense in 2012.

Pryor would be a big addition to the Chiefs offensive backfield with Charles.

Round 7: Chad Bumphis, WR, Mississippi State

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Prediction on Dec. 31: Tanner Hawkinson, T, Kansas

Prediction on Jan. 20: Chad Bumphis, WR, Mississippi State

Chad Bumphis pulled in 58 passes for 922 yards and 12 touchdowns this year. He made a big impact in the Shrine Game to help the West All-Stars win, 28-13.

He caught a 57-yard touchdown pass late in the first half to extend West’s lead, 14-3. He concluded his day with four catches for 92 yards and a touchdown. 

He’d be a nice pickup on the third day of the draft and the Chiefs can work with him in preseason games to see how he does.