Kansas City Chiefs: 12 Players with Most to Prove in 2012

When a player has something to prove, it can stem from many different things.

In the Chiefs' case, it could come from being unappreciated by your previous team, coming back from a season-ending injury or just proving that you can consistently get it done in the NFL week in and week out.

KC will have many players that fit this description next season, beginning with starting QB Matt Cassel.

Here are 12 Chiefs who will have the most to prove in 2012.

QB Matt Cassel

Chiefs starting quarterback Matt Cassel might have the most to prove out of any player on this list next season.

After being named to the Pro Bowl in 2010, Cassel regressed last year, throwing 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions in just nine starts for the team.

With only one productive season in three years as the starting signal-caller of this team, many around Kansas City have been calling for a new QB to take over for the USC product in the near future.

Cassel will have to prove that he can still has the ability to get the job done for this offense in 2012, or he might not be a Chief for much longer.

QB Ricky Stanzi

Last year, Ricky Stanzi was one of the more underrated QB prospects in his draft class.

The Chiefs decided to use one of their fifth-round picks on the former Iowa Hawkeye, only to see him hold the clipboard for the team.

Although it's unlikely that he will start this season, Stanzi still has something to prove.

With Brady Quinn now on the roster, Stanzi can take one step closer to eventually becoming Cassel's successor if he can beat out the former Bronco for the backup quarterback spot.

RB Jamaal Charles

In 2010, Jamaal Charles was considered on of the best backs in the league.

He nearly broke Hall of Fame RB Jim Brown's YPC average of 6.4 yards, and he made his first Pro Bowl as well.

Last year, he played in only two games before suffering a season-ending ACL injury.

For this running game to be elite this season, Charles will need to prove that he has fully recovered from his injury and that he can show some of the same explosiveness that he had during the '09 and '10 seasons with this team.

RB Peyton Hillis

Just two years ago, then-Browns RB Peyton Hillis was the talk of the NFL.

He had 1,177 rushing yards and was plastered on the cover of Madden 2012 for his efforts during that campaign.

Then came last season, when he rushed for only 587 yards in 10 games and was criticized by the Cleveland media for his actions on and off the field.

This season, he will be out to prove that he is still a force to be reckoned with at the running back position, except this time with the Chiefs.

WR Jonathan Baldwin

As far as second-year players go, receiver Jonathan Baldwin easily has the most to prove out of this group for the Chiefs.

Baldwin was taken by KC in the first round of last year's draft, only to see himself miss the first five games of the season and catch just one touchdown pass for the remainder of the year.

There will likely be much higher expectations for the Aliquippa, Pennsylvania native in his sophomore season, as he should be a strong candidate to be a Week 1 starter for the red and gold.

He has the talent to do so, and now it's time for him to show that he can be the big-time wideout that KC hoped they were getting when they spent a first-round pick on him a year ago.

WR Dwayne Bowe

It would seem that Pro Bowl wideout Dwayne Bowe wouldn't have much to prove heading into the '12 season.

He has 1,000-plus receiving yards in three of his first five seasons in the league and is already one of the best wide receivers in franchise history.

With that being said, Bowe is still waiting on a long-term deal from the organization, and there is no way of knowing if or when that will come for him. If a deal doesn't get done by the start of this season, the former first-round pick will have something to prove to the Chiefs brass in 2012.

TE Tony Moeaki

Tight end Tony Moeaki had a stellar rookie campaign back in 2010.

He racked up 556 receiving yards and three touchdowns, along with this sensational catch.

With Kevin Boss now on the roster, Moeaki will now have legitimate competition at the TE position for the first time in his Chiefs career.

At the very least, Moeaki needs to prove that he can stay healthy and be a force in this passing attack once again.

C Rodney Hudson

The Chiefs selected former Florida State G/C Rodney Hudson in the second round of last year's draft, hoping that they would have their next piece to their young offensive line.

With veteran center Casey Wiegmann likely not returning this season, Hudson will finally get his chance to shine.

By all accounts, Hudson looks like he could be a solid center for this team in 2012 and beyond. However, he still has to go out there and prove it.

DE Glenn Dorsey/DE Tyson Jackson

The reason why I have both Dorsey and Jackson merged onto one slide is because I believe that they both have the same thing to prove this season.

Both of these players have struggled with getting pressure on the opposing QB, which is something that they need to improve immediately in order for this defense to become even better.

With Dorsey heading into the final year of his contract this year and Jackson having just one year left in his deal after 2012, this will be a pivotal year for both of them.

After leading 3-4 DEs in stops last season, it's time for both of these guys to prove that they can provide some sort of a pass rush this year for KC's defense.

ILB Jovan Belcher

Jovan Belcher has been a starting inside linebacker for this Chiefs defense for the past two seasons.

However, his starting job might be in jeopardy heading into this season.

With Brandon Siler coming back from injury and Belcher's inability to make many big plays over the last couple seasons, he has a lot to prove over the next few months.

If he wants to remain a starter on this defense in 2012, the former undrafted player out of Maine will need to show Romeo Crennel and the Chiefs that he is not as big of a liability in pass coverage as some might think.

CB Stanford Routt

Cornerback Stanford Routt was signed by the Chiefs as a free agent earlier this offseason.

He brings with him seven years of NFL experience and also something to prove after being dumped by Oakland back in February.

Routt will try to prove to his doubters that he is not a penalty machine and that he can be an asset to Kansas City's secondary.

Fortunately for Routt, he will now play alongside talented CB Brandon Flowers this season, which should take pressure off of him in his first year with KC.