Kansas City Chiefs: Projecting the 2011 Roles for Each of the New Draft Picks

With the dust now settled from the 2011 NFL Draft, it's time to take a deeper look at each player that the Kansas Chiefs selected and how they fit on this team.

KC came into the draft knowing that they needed to address many holes, including C, WR and OLB just to name a few.

After looking at their draft, it appears that the Chiefs have found many guys who can immediately come in and help this team as early as the '11 season.

In the following piece, I have projected each of the '11 roles of the newly drafted Kansas City Chiefs.

Enjoy.

WR Jonathan Baldwin

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 05: Jonathan Baldwin #82 of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers catches a pass against the Cincinnati Bearcats on December 5, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.(Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

The former Aliquippa High star has the greatest star potential out of any of the player that KC selected in this year's draft.

With the Chiefs only possessing one legitimate starter at the WR position, it's easy to see where Baldwin fits on this team.

Not only will he give KC's receiving corps more size, at 6'5", he will give Pro-Bowl QB Matt Cassel another down-field target, especially when the offense gets in the red-zone.

2011 Projected Role with the Chiefs: Starting WR

C Rodney Hudson

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

TALLAHASSEE, FL - NOVEMBER 27: Rodney Hudson #62 of the Florida State Seminoles celebrates a touchdown during a game against the Florida Gators at Doak Campbell Stadium on November 27, 2010 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Hudson is one of the best offensive lineman in Florida State football history.

He was likely drafted because incumbent center Casey Wiegmann will be 38 this season, and is knocking on the door of retirement.

Many believe that Hudson possesses the talent and work ethic to be the Chiefs' starting center for 10 or more years.

2011 Projected Role with the Chiefs: Starting C

OLB Justin Houston

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 03: Justin Houston #42 of the Georgia Bulldogs against the Louisiana State University Tigers at Sanford Stadium on October 3, 2009 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Houston is a very explosive athlete, and one of the more talented LB prospects that the Chiefs have drafted in recent memory.

He has Pro-Bowl potential and is an immediate upgrade over current Chiefs OLBs Andy Studebaker and Cameron Sheffield to start opposite of Pro-Bowler Tamba Hali.

The fact that is a dynamic pass-rusher, should get him significant playing time for the Chiefs this season.

2011 Projected Role with the Chiefs: Starting OLB

DE Allen Bailey

Doug Benc/Getty Images

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - OCTOBER 03: Quarterback Landry Jones #12 of the Oklahoma Sooners is sacked by defensive lineman Allen Bailey #57 of the Miami Hurricanes knocked down a pass attempt at Land Shark Stadium on October 3, 2009 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

The Chiefs drafted Allen Bailey because of the versatility that he will bring to a defense.

In college, he lined up as a OLB, a DT, and a DE, while collecting 19 sacks combined from those three positions.

With a lack of depth in KC's defensive front seven, Bailey should get a lot of game action in his rookie season.

2011 Projected Role with the Chiefs: Backup DE/OLB

CB Jalil Brown

Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 13: Wide receiver Jake Williams #83 of the Iowa State Cyclones makes a first down reception and is tackled by Jalil Brown #23 of the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on November 13, 2010 in Boulder, Colorado. Colorado defeated Io

The former Colorado Buffalo was drafted by the Chiefs to give the team more overall depth in their defensive backfield heading into the '11 season.

Smith's quickness and solid cover skills will make him one of the better corner-back on KC's roster.

There is also a chance that he could beat out current starting CB Brandon Carr, but it is not likely to happen this season.

2011 Projected Role with the Chiefs: Backup CB/Special Teams

QB Ricky Stanzi

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

TEMPE, AZ - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Ricky Stanzi #12 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the Insight Bowl against the Missouri Tigers at Sun Devil Stadium on December 28, 2010 in Tempe, Arizona. The Hawkeyes defeated the Tigers 27-24. (Photo by Christian Peter

After an impressive career at the University of Iowa, the Chiefs decided to select QB Ricky Stanzi with one of their two fifth-round picks in last weekend's draft.

Stanzi has the intelligence and accuracy to succeed as a QB in the NFL, but he will have to wait his turn, as Matt Cassel is the Chiefs starting QB for now.

If anything, Stanzi could help to push Cassel some if and when he begins to struggle some this season.

2011 Projected Role with the Chiefs: Backup QB

DE Gabe Miller

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - DECEMBER 22: Quarterback Max Hall #15 of the Brigham Young University Cougars gets away from Gabe Miller #99 of the Oregon State Beavers during the MAACO Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium December 22, 2009 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Et

In one of the most questionable picks of the Chiefs' draft, they selected former Oregon State DE Gabe Miller with their second of two fifth-round picks.

Like third-round selection Allen Bailey, Miller was likely drafted because of his versatility.

In college, he lined up on both offense and defense, which we might see him do again in Kansas City this year.

2011 Projected Role with the Chiefs: Third-String OLB/Special Teams

DT Jerrell Powe

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 16: Jerrell Powe #57 of the Ole Miss Rebels against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 16, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Even though Powe was a sixth-round pick by the Chiefs in last weekend's draft, he has much more talent than his 199th overall selection shows.

Unless KC picks up another DT in free agency, Powe will be the best option for the Chiefs, as he has true DT size at 6'2" and 335 lbs.

He has shown that he can be very stout against the run while playing at the collegiate level.

2011 Projected Role with the Chiefs: Starting DT

FB Shane Bannon

The ex-Ivy League standout is a bruising blocker that the Chiefs just couldn't pass up at the end of the draft.

He was known as one of the more underrated fullbacks in the draft, and he will be eager to show why in the upcoming '11 season.

I look for Bannon to lineup early and often as a FB for the Chiefs offense.

2011 Projected Role with the Chiefs: Starting FB/Special Teams