Kansas City Chiefs: Top 43 Pioli Guys to Watch for in This Years Draft

I can't predict or pretend to know who the Kansas City Chiefs will draft on in late April this year, but with both personal insight and extensive research, I have come up with a list of players that if the Chiefs don't select, they will at least seriously consider selecting come April 28th

Last year was a banner year for the Chiefs. Their draft selections followed a strict blueprint of what qualities Pioli and Haley are looking for. It was no coincidence that 87% of Kansas City's picks were team captains in college the year before. Although Pioli said in an interview "Its not like we have a checklist", it would be hard for me to believe.

We all now should understand that the Chiefs are looking for players who have high football IQ and understand the game, leadership ability, work hard, are the first at practices and the last to leave, good character, good production and above all are true team players, who never put themselves above the team

After extensive research, I will now list those players who share all the qualities desired. Of all the players listed below, all were team Captains except for only three and those three are known for their great leadership ability. If Pioli is true to form, based on last year, don't be surprised if at least a few become Chief selections.

Again, remember, I am not advocating that others won't be considered or would not be better, only that these "top forty" would best fit the way Pioli thinks.

Quarterback:

Ricky Stanzi / Iowa-  Has the potential to start by year two

Jerrod Johnson / Texas A&M- Big kid, big arm, late-round steal

Fullback:

Anthony Sherman / Uconn - Best overall Fullback in this year's draft

Wide Receiver:

Randall Cobb / Kentucky- A Hines Ward type receiver who runs a 4.46, clutch player

Torrey Smith / Maryland- A true deep threat who can stretch the field

Leonard Hankerson / Miami- Not a TC but is known for his hard work ethic and 4.4 speed

Austin Pettis/ Boise State- Good No. 4 WR with the potential of starting by year two

Cecil Shorts / Mt. Union- Division 1-AA top wideout who outproduced Pierre Garcon in college

Marshall  Williams / Wake Forrest- may be a late round sleeper

Tight Ends:

Lance Kendricks / Wisconsin- New England proved a two Tight End set can work producing 19 TDs

Virgil Green / Nevada- Lives up to his last name at this point, but has truly awesome potential

Lee Smith /Marshall- Strictly a blocking Tight End, he showed he could catch during workouts

Offensive Tackle;

Anthony Castanzo / Boston College- My second choice for the Chiefs if available in Round 1

Derrick  Sherrod / Mississippi State- Excels best in a zone blocking scheme

Demarcus Love / Arkansas- Struggled during postseason but has those Pioli intangibles

Offensive Guard;

Mike Pouncey / Florida- Not as good as his brother, but still very good

Rodney Hudson / Florida State- Has everything you look for except size

Clint Boling / Georgia- Great versatility (a Pioli trademark) against top SEC competition

Will Rackley / Lehigh-  Second best Offensive Lineman from division 1-AA

John Moffitt /  Wisconsin- Can also play Center

Andrew Jackson / Fresno State- Would be a great mid-round pick

David Arkin / Missouri State- Remember this kid's name come draft day. Local product

Bryant Browning / Ohio State- Late-round projection with great versatility

Brad Thurson / Kansas- Late rounder with great intangibles

Center:

Alex Linnenkohl / Oregon State- Worked his butt to be a solid performer

Brandon Fusco / Slippery Rock - I've seen this kid and he made my mock draft

Nose Tackle:

Jerrell Powe / Ole Miss- Team Captain, but has issues. Huge Player

Chris Neild /  West Virginia- Could be a  mid-round steal. Made my Mock Draft list

Outside Linebacker:

Ryan Kerrigan / Purdue- If he is there in Round 1 grab him please........

Brooks Reed / Arizona- Probably a Pioli favorite, but doesn't show me speed off the edge

Sam Acho / Texas- Another kid and pass rusher who may be high on their list

Jeremy Beal / Oklahoma- Terrible 40 time at combine may limit his chances (5.16)

Mark Herzlich / Boston College- Cancer and a rod in his leg makes him a gamble

KJ Wright / Mississippi State-  Not a pass rusher, but fits Pioli's profile

Bruce Miller / Central Florida-  A sleeper who may be a draft day steal

Justin Trattou / Florida- A tweener, who was relentless rusher and inspirational leader

Inside Linebacker

Quan Sturdivant / North Carolina- My opinion, the best ILB in the draft

Nate  Irving / North Carolina State-  Tremendous talent who came back from severe injury 

Alex Wujciak / Maryland- Late round 2 run-stuffer

Derrell Smith / Syracuse- (see above)

Safety:

Jaiquawn Jarrett / Temple- Will likely go too high

Marcus Gilchrist / Clemson- Has talent but no ball skills.  May play Cornerback

Cornerback:

Ras-I-Dowling / Virginia- Big, fast, but so many injuries

Cortez Allen / Citadel- One of the best from Division 1-AA

There it is- Pioli's top 40. Todd I'm paying attention. If you chose others you will be deviating from your norm, but then again a little change could be good don't you think? Surprise me.