2012 NFL Combine: 10 Prospects Kansas City Chiefs Fans Should Be Watching

The NFL combine is one of the biggest events that leads up to the draft each year.

Like any other year, there are a host of talented prospects who will be on display at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis from now until next Tuesday.

The Kansas City Chiefs will be one of the 32 NFL teams that will be on hand at the combine over the next few days.

Here are 10 prospects Chiefs fans need to keep a watchful eye on at this year's NFL combine.

RB Doug Martin, Boise State

Boise State's Doug Martin might just be the most underrated RB in this year's draft class.

Last year he rushed for 1,299 yards and 16 TDs, as he finished his Broncos career with 3,431 yards on the ground to go along with 43 touchdowns.

Like another prospect on this list, Vick Ballard, Martin is a shorter, stockier type of back, which would make him a solid compliment to Pro Bowl running back Jamaal Charles.

Chiefs fans shouldn't be surprised if Martin rises up KC's draft board from a strong showing at the combine this year.

RB Vick Ballard, Mississippi State

Similar to the other running backs I have on this list, Vick Ballard is an under-the-radar-type prospect in this year's draft.

Currently, he projects as a fourth- or fifth-round pick in April's draft, depending on how he performs at the combine in the coming days.

At 5'11" and 220 lbs, he is more of a Trent Richardson-type back, and definitely has big-play ability after rattling off three runs of 50-plus yards or more last year for Mississippi State.

Ballard's performance at the combine could go along way toward KC's eventual decision to select him in April to compliment Charles in their RB corps.

RB Isaiah Pead, Cincinnati

After reviewing his prospect file, one might think that Cincinnati Bearcat Isaiah Pead would not be suited for the Chiefs because of the type of back that he is.

Pead, of course, is a speedier back, which Kansas City already has in star Jamaal Charles.

However, the Chiefs have already shown interest in Pead earlier this offseason.

He should be fun to watch in the speed drills at the combine this year.

DT Dontari Poe, Memphis

University of Memphis defensive tackle Dontari Poe has been rising up the draft board in recent weeks.

He is currently projected as a late first- or early second-round pick in April's draft.

The Memphis native is already drawing comparisons to Pro Bowl DT Haloti Ngata, because of his 6'5", 350-lb frame and his ability to plug the middle of a defensive line.

Chiefs fans should watch out for this kid not only at this year's NFL combine, but also over the next few weeks leading up to this year's NFL draft.

QB Nick Foles, Arizona

Arizona's Nick Foles is a guy I have been raving about for awhile.

In fact, I even projected him as KC's second-round pick in this year's draft in my Chiefs mock draft that I compiled last month.

At 6'5", he has NFL size for a QB and also possesses a very strong arm, which should impress many scouts at the combine.

Chiefs fans everywhere need to take note of this guy because he could turn out to be Matt Cassel's successor in the near future.

QB Ryan Tannehill, Texas A&M

Former Texas A&M QB Ryan Tannehill possesses many of the qualities that most NFL GMs would look for in a starting quarterback.

He's big, has a high football IQ, is a good leader and has always been known as a very accurate passer in his college days.

However, he's still somewhat of a project to most NFL teams because he only started at QB for the Aggies in his last two seasons at the school.

Even though he might be considered a reach at the 11th or 12th overall pick for the Chiefs, he is another signal-caller to monitor at the combine for Chiefs fans this year.

QB Brock Osweiler, Arizona State

Rounding out the list of QBs who Chiefs fans should be watching out for at the combine is Arizona State's Brock Osweiler.

Many draft experts have already said that Osweiler has the best arm out of any of the quarterbacks in this year's draft class.

Although that may be true, he needs to prove it over the next few days to help improve his stock on draft day.

The 6'8" junior threw for 26 touchdowns last season for the Sun Devils, and you can bet that Kansas City will have scouts watching his every move this week in Indianapolis.

TE Coby Fleener, Stanford

Stanford's Coby Fleener might be the best tight end prospect who will be taken in the draft this year.

In recent weeks, he has been flying up draft boards and will likely improve his stock even more with an impressive showing at the combine.

With more NFL offenses using two TE sets these days, the Chiefs should take a long look at Fleener, as he could potentially be paired with second-year TE Tony Moeaki to form a deadly duo at that position for years to come.

The 6'6" Fleener will have plenty of opportunities to impress KC scouts and fans over the next week at Lucas Oil Stadium.

OT Zebrie Sanders, Florida State

Unlike many on this list, Florida State standout Zebrie Sanders has seen his draft stock fall in recent weeks.

Most of this was due to the fact that Sanders had a less than impressive performance at the Senior Bowl last month.

It's easy to see why he will need to have a solid combine in order to restore faith in teams that are currently in desperate need for an offensive tackle, like the Chiefs.

ILB Audie Cole, NC State

NC State ILB Audie Cole is the prototypical Scott Pioli-type player.

He is a hard-nosed linebacker, who is very intelligent and plays hard nearly every down.

After playing well in the Senior Bowl, Cole looks to continue his momentum into the NFL combine.

Chiefs fans will like watching this guy, as he seems to have a motor that never stops and could be one of the biggest sleepers at linebacker in this year's combine.