Initial Post-Draft Depth Chart for the Kansas City Chiefs

The 2013 NFL draft is in the books, and the John Dorsey/Andy Reid era is underway for the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs added eight players over the past three days, beginning with first overall pick Eric Fisher of Central Michigan and culminating with defensive end Mike Catapalo of Princeton in the seventh round.

The team has also already started adding undrafted free agents, and taking those into consideration as well (at least the ones we know of), here's an early look at how the depth chart in Kansas City should stack up headed into OTAs.

Rookie additions listed in italics.

* Denotes undrafted free agent.

Quarterback

Projected Depth Chart: Alex Smith, Chase Daniel, Ricky Stanzi, Tyler Bray*, Alex Tanney, Dayne Crist*

No real changes here, at least not yet.

Smith is the unquestioned starter after coming over in a trade from the San Francisco 49ers.

Daniel is his backup, and Stanzi is the third-stringer, although the free-agent signing of Tennessee's Tyler Bray started the countdown where Stanzi's concerned.

It will take a great camp from Stanzi or a face plant from Bray (a real possibility) to keep the former on the roster through the summer and into the fall.

Running Back

Projected Depth Chart (Tailback): Jamaal Charles, Shaun Draughn, Knile Davis, Cyrus Gray, Nate Eachus, Kaderius Lacey*, Jordan Roberts*

Projected Depth Chart (Fullback): Patrick DiMarco, Braden Wilson, Ryan D'imperio

There was some shakeup at the running back position.

Jamaal Charles remains top dog, but the Chiefs spent a third-round pick on Knile Davis of Arkansas in the hopes that he will emerge as Charles' backup.

Meanwhile, at fullback, the addition of Braden Wilson in the sixth round could signal a changing of the guard, as Patrick DiMarco was barely used in 2012, playing in only five games.

Wide Receiver

Projected Depth Chart (WR1): Dwayne Bowe, Dexter McCluster, Jamar Newsome, Terrance Copper, Mardy Gilyard, Rico Richardson*

Projected Depth Chart (WR2): Donnie Avery, Jonathan Baldwin, Devon Wylie, Josh Bellamy, Junior Hemingway, Darryl Stonum*

Somewhat surprisingly, the Chiefs didn't add any wide receivers in the draft, although they did sign a pair of free agents.

The big question at wideout will be if Jonathan Baldwin finally lives up to his first-round billing, which would set up a battle between Donnie Avery and Dexter McCluster for slot duties.

Tight End

Projected Depth Chart: Tony Moeaki, Anthony Fasano, Travis Kelce, Kevin Brock, T.J. Knowles*

Third-round pick Travis Kelce may enter camp behind Tony Moeaki and free-agent acquisition Anthony Fasano.

However, given that Kelce combines the best qualities of the other two players, it's unlikely he'll stay there for long.

Offensive Tackle

Projected Depth Chart (Left Tackle): Branden Albert, Steven Baker, Dustin Waldron

Projected Depth Chart: Eric Fisher, Donald Stephenson

There's no question that top overall pick Eric Fisher will start.

The question is on which side of the line he'll begin his NFL career.

So long as Branden Albert remains on the roster, my money is on the right side, which frankly may turn out to be a good thing for Fisher at the end of the day.

Offensive Guard

Projected Depth Chart (Left Guard): Jeff Allen, Geoff Schwartz, A.J. Hawkins*

Projected Depth Chart (Right Guard): Jon Asamoah, Bryan Mattison, Ryan Durand

Jon Asamoah is entrenched on the right side, but given how badly Jeff Allen performed on the left side in 2012, there's an excellent chance that Geoff Schwartz, brought over in free agency from the Minnesota Vikings, unseats him.

Center

Projected Depth Chart: Rodney Hudson, Eric Kush, Luke Patterson, Tommie Draheim

Rodney Hudson played in only three games last year, but with Ryan Lilja retired and fifth-round pick Eric Kush very much a project, Hudson's job appears safe so long as he's healthy.

Defensive Tackle

Projected Depth Chart: Dontari Poe, Anthony Toribio, Jerrell Powe, Daniel Muir, Raheem Stanley*

Dontari Poe had a disappointing rookie year, but hopefully with an NFL season under his belt, last year's star of the NFL Scouting Combine will start earning that first-round paycheck.

Defensive End

Projected Depth Chart (LDE): Tyson Jackson, Marcus Dixon, Mike Catapano, E.J. Epperson*

Projected Depth Chart (RDE): Mike Devito, Allen Bailey, Brad Madison*, Rob Lohr*

Kansas City's fans and coaches alike will have their fingers crossed that this is the year that Tyson Jackson finally plays like a top-10 pick, but he and Devito have a firm hold on the starter's jobs regardless.

Seventh-round pick Mike Catapano has some potential, but it will likely take some time for the 271-pounder to make the jump from Princeton to NFL contributor.

Inside Linebacker

Projected Depth Chart (WILB): Derrick Johnson, Zac Diles, Cory Greenwood, Chad Kilgore

Projected Depth Chart (SILB): Akeem Jordan, Nico Johnson, Orie Lemon, Darin Drakeford*

Derrick Johnson is one of the best MIKE linebackers in the National Football League and a lock for a three-down role if healthy.

Akeem Jordan is the nominal starter next to Johnson for now. However, fourth-round pick Nico Johnson is a prototypical SILB. By camp's end, the starting job will likely be his, although he'll probably take a seat on passing downs.

Outside Linebacker

Projected Depth Chart (LOLB): Justin Houston, Edgar Jones, Josh Martin*

Projected Depth Chart (ROLB):Tamba Hali, Frank Zombo, Toben Opurum*

Tamba Hali and Justin Houston combined for 19 sacks in 2012 and are set in stone as the team's two starters on the outside.

Given the pair's productivity a season ago, the Chiefs didn't draft any outside linebackers.

However, given their relative lack of depth at the position, undrafted free agents Josh Martin and Toben Opurum (yes, that's his real name) have a puncher's chance of making the roster with a good showing in training camp.

Cornerback

Projected Depth Chart (LCB): Brandon Flowers, Sean Smith, Jalil Brown, DeQuan Menzie

Projected Depth Chart (RCB): Dunta Robinson, Javier Arenas, Neiko Thorpe

The Chiefs took major steps to upgrade at cornerback in the offseason, adding a pair of marquee free agents in Dunta Robinson and Sean Smith.

At the team's recent minicamp, Robinson lined up outside opposite Flowers, with Smith manning the slot.

However, this is a situation that could be fluid throughout much of the summer.

Safety

Projected Depth Chart (Free Safety): Kendrick Lewis, Sanders Commings, Tysyn Hartman, C.J. Jones*, Bradley McDougald*

Projected Depth Chart (Strong Safety): Eric Berry, Husain Abdullah, Jose Gumbs

There's a fair amount of speculation involved here.

Georgia's Sanders Commings was a cornerback in Athens, but he's built more like a free safety, and it wouldn't be even a little surprising to see him overtake the underwhelming Kendricks by opening day.

However, there's no speculation at all in play at the strong safety spot. Eric Berry looked sluggish in the early part of the 2012 season as he worked his way back into shape from an ACL tear, but by season's end he was showing flashes of the Pro Bowl form he displayed in his rookie season.

Special Teams

Punter: Dustin Colquitt

Kicker: Ryan Succop

Long Snapper: Thomas Gafford

Punt Returner: Javier Arenas

Kick Returner: Dexter McCluster

Projected Final Roster

Granted, a ton can change between now and the final cutdown day, and some of the players not listed here will be headed for the practice squad, but here's an early look at a projection for the Chiefs' final 53-man roster.

QB (3): Alex Smith, Chase Daniel, Tyler Bray (emergency QB)

RB (4): Jamaal Charles, Shaughn Draughn, Knile Davis, Cyrus Gray

FB (1): Braden Wilson

WR (6): Dwayne Bowe, Donnie Avery, Jonathan Baldwin, Dexter McCluster, Jamar Newsome, Devon White

TE (3): Tony Moeaki, Anthony Fasano, Travis Kelce

OT (4): Branden Albert, Eric Fisher, Steven Baker, Donald Stephenson

OG (4): Jeff Allen, Geoff Schwartz, Jon Asomoah, A.J. Hawkins

C (2): Rodney Hudson, Eric Kush

DT (3): Dontari Poe, Anthony Toribio, Daniel Muir

DE (4): Tyson Jackson, Mike Devito, Marcus Dixon, Mike Catapano

ILB (4): Derrick Johnson, Nico Johnson, Zac Diles, Akeem Jordan

OLB (4): Tamba Hali, Justin Houston, Frank Zombo, Edgar Jones

CB (5): Brandon Flowers, Dunta Robinson, Sean Smith, Javier Arenas, Jalil Brown

S (4): Eric Berry, Sanders Commings, Kendrick Lewis, Husain Abdullah,

ST (3): Ryan Succop, Dustin Colquitt, Thomas Gafford

Notes: 54 players are listed, but the emergency quarterback doesn't count against the 53-man limit.

In lieu of carrying six cornerbacks, the Chiefs can simply shift Sanders Commings in certain packages.