Best- and Worst-Case Scenarios for Kansas City's Top 3 Picks

Kansas City Chiefs general manager John Dorsey scored big when he addressed the team's biggest needs in wide receiver and offensive linemen earlier this offseason. With wide receiver Jeremy Maclin and guards Paul Fanaika and Ben Grubbs on board, Kansas City is bound to improve after a solid draft.

When you consider the fact that Dorsey tackled some big holes and has 10 draft picks, the Chiefs have plenty of room to be versatile in this year's draft. Even better, the Chiefs own four picks in the top 100 selections, drafting at No. 18, 49, 80 and 98. 

The Chiefs still need some help at a couple of spots on the offensive line, more specifically at center and maybe right tackle, depending on what Dorsey wants to do with Donald Stephenson and Jeff Allen.

While Alex Smith does have Maclin, tight end Travis Kelce and some good running backs to throw the football to, Kansas City also needs another pass-catcher. A No. 2 wide receiver or even a No. 2 tight end would benefit the Chiefs.

In this slideshow, we look at the upcoming draft and discuss a few scenarios the Chiefs might run into.

First Round, Best-Case Scenario: C Cameron Erving

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If Jaelen Strong, Dorial Green-Beckham or DeVante Parker is available by the time the Chiefs are on the clock at No. 18, then Dorsey has an opportunity to give Smith another weapon to work with. 

But with Rodney Hudson moving on to Oakland and Stefen Wisniewski not involved in any talks with the Chiefs, according to Pro Football Talk, the Chiefs will likely want to go in another direction when it comes to finding a new center.

Florida State's Cameron Erving would be the perfect replacement option, as CBS Sports ranks him at 24th among the entire draft class and lists him as the only center projected to go in the first round.

Erving is a versatile lineman who is strongly suited to play center and can help the Chiefs improve in pass blocking, along with the additions of Grubbs and Fanaika.

First Round, Worst-Case Scenario: Any WR

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

I know in previous mock drafts, I have praised this pick and thought it would be fun to see Maclin play alongside Dorial-Green Beckham. While Green Beckham fits Reid's offense, I reconsidered the idea and wondered if taking him, or any wide receiver, would be a waste of a pick.

Smith works better with tight ends than he does with wide receivers. Maclin will obviously be his primary target at wide receiver, but with Kelce also on the team and possibly one more tight end, Green-Beckham might not see a lot of catches.

As for the center spot, it is no secret to the rest of the league that the Chiefs desperately need a center. Don't count out the possibility of a team making a trade with San Diego when it is on the clock with the 17th pick in order to take Erving.

With a few teams interested in Wisniewski and looking to get help at center, only one team can get him, and the rest will likely consider Erving.

If Erving goes before the Chiefs are on the clock, then their options will be most likely narrowed down to a wide receiver or possibly an offensive tackle. But if Erving is gone, Kansas City will have to find another way to address its biggest need.

This will force the Chiefs to go after another position or trade down. A wide receiver would not be the worst move for the Chiefs, but whoever the first-round wideout would be, if he is taken by the Chiefs, he might not see plenty of receptions.

Second Round, Best-Case Scenario: TE Maxx Williams

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

The No. 2 wide receiver spot has been mentioned quite a lot by fans and the media. But keep in mind, in Andy Reid's system, a No. 2 wideout could benefit the Chiefs, but a wideout behind Maclin might not get a lot of action.

A No. 2 tight end behind Travis Kelce, however, would see more significant face time because of the system. Plus, Smith has done well with tight ends throughout his career.

Former Minnesota Gopher Maxx Williams is projected to go in the second round but is ranked as the best tight end on CBS Sports' board. Wide receivers Sammie Coates, Nelson Agholor and Devin Smith all might be available, but with Williams projected to be taken in the second round, the Chiefs could use their second-round pick on the best available tight end, replacing Anthony Fasano and continuing the dual-tight end offense.

Scouts praise inside linebacker Eric Kendricks, who is expected to go during the second round as well. Dorsey might consider him and line him up beside Derrick Johnson.

Second Round, Worst-Case Scenario: CB Ronald Darby

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Kansas City has an underrated group of starting cornerbacks in Sean Smith and Phillip Gaines. Smith has been a good lockdown corner who went under the radar, while Gaines had a solid rookie season. With Kansas City's front seven, primarily led by Justin Houston and Tamba Hali, Smith and Gaines will do even better because of the power upfront.

While cornerbacks are never enough in a high-level passing league, the Chiefs have other areas they must go after. While Ronald Darby is projected to be taken in this round, there are other options at cornerback. 

Plus, Darby's off-the-field issues are a concern, as he was reportedly tied into a rape investigation that involved teammate quarterback Jameis Winston, according to Rob Rang of CBS Sports.

Third Round, Best-Case Scenario: ILB Ben Heeney

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In previous mock drafts, I have praised former Kansas Jayhawks inside linebacker Ben Heeney and labeled him as a strong late-round pickup. Ever since his dominant performance at the combine, Heeney has climbed his way up as he is projected to go in the fourth round.

Heeney's quick closing speed limits opposing ball-carriers in rushing yards or yards after the catch if Heeney is nearby.

Kansas City finished 28th against the run in 2014. With Johnson, defensive end Mike DeVito returning and Heeney, Kansas City will see a drastic improvement against the run and will have a strong and balanced defense.

Though he is projected to go in the fourth round, using one of the two third-round picks on him would be smart as he could be highly targeted by teams, starting late in the third round.

Third Round, Worst-Case Scenario: RB Mike Davis

Travis Bell/Associated Press

Former South Carolina running back Mike Davis will likely be taken in the third round between Kansas City's two third-round picks. But the Chiefs should stay away from him. In fact, the Chiefs should avoid all running backs in this draft, even in late rounds for depth additions.

The Chiefs have a Pro Bowl running back in Jamaal Charles as well as scatbacks who come in at times on offense in De'Anthony Thomas and Knile Davis. Both are active in the return game as well.

While Davis is a valuable asset and could eventually carry the role of a starting running back, the Chiefs don't need him and have strong depth at running back. 

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