Kansas City Chiefs: 6 Contract-Year Players Under Pressure to Perform in 2011

In the NFL, contract-year players are always a hot topic.

For the Kansas City Chiefs, they will have several players that fit this status in 2011 and will have decisions to make based on how each player performs this year.

From star wideout Dwayne Bowe to shutdown corner Brandon Flowers, there are many guys that have a lot to prove in '11, if they want a bigger contract from the Chiefs in the future.

Here are the Chiefs contract players under the most pressure to perform well this season.

Ryan Succop

Succop was the final pick in the '09 NFL draft by the Chiefs and is scheduled to be a restricted free agent in 2012.

He's made nearly 82 percent of his field-goal attempts in his two years with the team, including a game-winning 35-yarder against the Bills last season in the photo shown to the left.

This year, he is due to make $480,000.

Succop will need to have another solid season if he wants to remain in KC's long-term plans as their kicker.

Dwayne Bowe

The controversial receiver had the best season of his career with the Chiefs last year.

He was named to his first ever Pro Bowl team after leading the league with 15 touchdowns and will likely have to put together another big year if he wants a big paycheck from the organization.

If not, he will be one of the most highly regarded free agents in 2012.

Look for Bowe to have another good year and get signed to a long-term deal sometime this season.

Brandon Flowers

Brandon Flowers has quietly become one of the best cornerbacks in the AFC over the past few seasons.

At the end of this season, he will be looking for a new, big contract from the team.

Will the Chiefs pay up for this young, emerging star?

They would be foolish not to, considering that with Brandon Carr, KC has one of the youngest and most talented cornerback tandems in the NFL right now.

Tamba Hali

The biggest story for the Chiefs heading into this offseason was re-signing veteran OLB Tamba Hali.

GM Scott Pioli decided to slap the franchise tag on him earlier this year, but Kansas City has yet to lock him up to a long-term deal.

Hali needs to prove that he can get to the QB with regularity again this season if he wants to remain in the read and gold.

After that, the rest will be history for Tamba Hali and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Verran Tucker

Tucker was picked up by KC as an undrafted rookie free agent before the 2010 season.

The former Cal star showed showed some explosiveness while racking up 114 receiving yards and one touchdown for the campaign.

With Tucker due to make $405,000 this year, he will need to show the Chiefs that he belongs on the team in some capacity.

This will involve taking his game to a new level, considering he likely wont have as many chances for playing time, with '11 first-round selection Jonathan Baldwin joining the team this season.

Jerheme Urban

Former Arizona Cardinal Jerheme Urban likely has the most to prove out of any of the players on this list.

He contributed nothing to the Chiefs offense in 2010, as a season-ending injury to his right ring finger did him in.

He has been training with QB Matt Cassel this offseason but will still need to prove that he can perform on the field if he wants a new contact beyond 2011.

With the Chiefs still lacking at wide receiver, he will have a chance to do just that.