Kansas City Chiefs: Changing the Culture, One Draft at a Time (Part 2)

When the 2010 NFL Draft arrived, not many teams were happier to bring in some new blood than the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Chiefs were coming off of a season where they went 4-12, where starting QB Matt Cassel threw as many touchdowns as interceptions and the defense was easily one of the most inefficient and worst units in the league.

The team needed to hit a couple of home-runs in the upcoming draft, and the burden was placed on the shoulders of GM Scott Pioli and his coaches.

Many thought that Pioli would go with an offensive tackle with the team's first-round pick, but he surprised some and scooped up one of the best defensive players in the draft, Tennessee safety Eric Berry.

The rest of the Chiefs draft would see them net a wide receiver, a tight end, a guard, two defensive backs and a linebacker.

After examining the picks, it was clear that Pioli and Co. were drafting for character and leadership.

Six of the seven KC draft selections were team captains on their respective college teams the previous season.

NFL scouts and the national media gave mostly rave reviews about the team's draft from top to bottom.

Eric Berry became the new poster-child for what Pioli and Haley were trying to do in Kansas City: change the culture.

Suddenly, fan's opinions about Pioli and the new Chiefs brass had changed, and many were starting to believe that they indeed held the keys to winning football in the organization's future.

The 2010 season would bring hope to the Chiefs future, like no one could have ever imagined.

It also proved that Pioli and his staff were in fact changing the culture of this team and franchise, one draft at a time.

Stay tuned for part three of this series for a rundown of the '10 season and a look at the upcoming NFL draft later this month.