2012 NFL Draft: 17 Prospects KC Chiefs Fans Should Watch This Weekend

Although the Chiefs are on a two-game winning streak, they picked up two wins against winless squads. It is expected that the Chiefs won't pick up a lot of wins this season.

With a slow news cycle on a bye week, we decided to put together a list of college football players you should keep an eye on this weekend. One of these players could end up in Kansas City in April and make a big impact next season.

Scott Pioli and his scouting department are spending time checking out these prospects, hoping a few of them can do big things to help this franchise move forward in 2012.

Assuming that the Chiefs have a top-10 pick in the 2012 draft, they should have an easy time picking up one of these players mentioned on this list.

The rankings you will see in this slideshow are what you see from the USA Today poll.

Check out the list and let me know what you think. And no, Andrew Luck is not on this list.

Quarterback

Matt Cassel looks good one game and bad the next. It will be interesting to see how he finishes the season. By the time January is here, we will know if quarterback is a serious need for this team.

Landry Jones, #1 Oklahoma, @ Kansas

Landry Jones and the top ranked Sooners will visit the Kansas Jayhawks. With the Jayhawks unable to limit their opponents in scoring, Jones and the Sooners should have an explosive game on offense.

Robert Griffin III, #24 Baylor @ #23 Texas A&M

Robert Griffin III has been unstoppable this year. While he did cost his team the game and allowed Kansas State to come back and win, Griffin III has only thrown one interception this season and has thrown for 19 touchdowns on the year.

Running Back

Remember when the Chiefs drafted Larry Johnson as an insurance policy if Priest Holmes was unable to continue his football career? For a while, that did look like a great move by the Chiefs as Johnson stepped in and had two remarkable seasons as a Chief.

While Jamaal Charles is young and still has never suffered a serious injury until this year, it is important that the Chiefs keep a close eye on a running back. Especially if Jackie Battle turns out to be a one-game wonder. It is doubtful that Thomas Jones returns next year as his contract expires at the end of this season.

Overall, this isn't a serious need, but there is one player Chiefs fans should watch for this weekend.

LaMichael James, #9 Oregon @ #20 Arizona State

LaMichael James is questionable for his game, but if he plays, keep an eye on him. James is second in the nation in rushing and has been a big part of the Oregon Ducks football program.

James led the nation in rushing last season and played a big role in helping the Ducks reach the BCS National Championship game against Auburn.

Wide Reciever

With Jonathan Baldwin returning soon and the emergence of Steve Breaston playing well alongside Dwayne Bowe, there is no urgency for the Chiefs to seek another wide receiver early in the draft. The receivers you may see mentioned here are players who won't get selected until the third or fourth round.

Dwight Jones, North Carolina vs Miami (FL)

Although Dwight Jones isn't as active as most receivers in college football today, he is one of the most targeted receivers in the end zone as he is tied third in the nation in touchdown receptions with seven. However, he is outside of the top 20 in catches.

Devon Wylie, Fresno State vs Utah State

While Fresno State isn't doing well this year, neither is Devon Wylie on offense. However, Wylie could become a reserve wide receiver, but contribute mostly as a special team return man. Wylie leads the nation in punt return yards (370) and touchdowns (2) this season, giving Bulldogs fans at least something to watch for this season. The Chiefs have not had a dominant returner since trading away Dante Hall and would love to get some help on special teams.

Tight End

Like Charles, fans were excited for Tony Moeaki before his season was taken from him with a torn ACL.

Coincidentally, Moeaki chased out Brad Cottam, who had trouble staying healthy in Kansas City. After an eye-grabbing rookie season and no sophomore season, Moeaki hopes he can return as the top tight end on the team. The Chiefs should consider a backup if he is unable to stay healthy.

Cody Fleener, #4 Stanford @ Washington State

It shouldn't come as a surprise as to why fans want Luck to be the quarterback of the future for their football team. Luck has had a lot of success with his teammates, including Cody Fleener, who leads his team in receiving touchdowns with five, despite having only 12 receptions this year.

Fleener should have a good game against Washington State with Luck on his side. Fleener is a player who could be drafted in the fourth round.

Offensive Line

Since the new regime took over in Kansas City, they have not addressed the offensive line through the draft. Fans have cried out that this is the biggest need for this football team. If the Chiefs are given a high draft pick, they have some good options.

Offensive Tackle

Matt Kalil, USC defeated California

This game took place on Thursday, however, it is worth mentioning that Matt Kalil is the best offensive tackle in college football right now. With many speedy running backs that like to run to the outside, offensive tackles are becoming more valuable.

Jonathan Martin, #4 Stanford @ Washington State

I know I said no mention of Luck being a player that the Chiefs take. While he is great, he also has a strong supporting cast. A big part of Luck's success comes from one of the best offensive tackles in the game today in Jonathan Martin. If Cassel returns in 2012 and has a player, like Martin, he will certainly benefit and do well against defenses with big-name pass rushers.

Offensive Guard

Kevin Zeitler, #4 Wisconsin vs Indiana

The Chiefs are not desperate for an offensive guard. Kevin Zeitler is a guy worth keeping an eye on to have as a backup. If Jon Asamoah or Ryan Lilja cannot live up to expectations, the Chiefs could draft a guard just in case.

Center

N/A

This could very well be Wiegmann final season as a Chief. With Rodney Hudson most likely replacing him, the Chiefs should seek a backup center from free agency, rather than have a rookie backup a young player who may start next season.

Defensive End

Tyson Jackson and Glenn Dorsey have come alive for the Chiefs in the past couple of games to help Kansas City construct a winning streak. Will they be able to keep it going, or will the Chiefs need help?

Billy Winn, #6 Boise State @ Colorado State

Billy Winn has played a couple of positions on the defensive line for Boise State and would fit the Chiefs defense. With his size and stature, Winn could start at defensive end for the Chiefs. Winn has half of a sack this season, but has 14 in his college career.

Nose Tackle

Kelly Gregg, like Jackson and Dorsey, has made some plays to help the Chiefs look strong in recent games. But how will he do as a nose tackle for the remainder of the season as the schedule gets more challenging?

Alameda Ta'amu, Washington vs Colorado

Could Alameda Ta'amu be solve the long-term woes at nose tackle for the Chiefs? With his big body, he shouldn't have a hard time pushing through and invade the pocket against Colorado.

Dontari Poe, Memphis vs East Carolina

Memphis has far from an impressive football program, but they do have Dontari Poe standing at 6'5" and weighing in at 350 pounds. If given time in the league, Poe may be drafted in the third round and could become a force to be reckoned with in the NFL.

Outside Linebacker

Tamba Hali has been on his own this season providing pressure on the quarterback, earning 80 percent of the teams sacks so far. If this keeps up, the Chiefs must find a strong pass rusher opposite of Hali. Doing so can create great things for a defense as the Chiefs do have Brandon Flowers and currently on the injured reserve, Eric Berry, who played well in their first season together in 2010.

Zach Brown, North Carolina vs Miami (FL)

Zach Brown is one of the top outside linebackers in college football today and has 2.5 sacks on the season. Could Brown be the answer to the Chiefs problems at the other outside linebacker position?

Bruce Irvin, #16 West Virginia @ Syracuse

Bruce Irvin has made an impact for West Virginia has he has racked up 2.5 sacks this season with a total of 17 sacks in his career. Irvin also has six tackles for a loss, giving him 20 in his career. Irvin should be fun to watch this Sunday against Syracuse. Irvin is the mos unique outside linebacker with a 40-time of 4.54. His speed is a problem for opposing offensive tackles to keep up with.

Inside Linebacker

The Chiefs have bigger fish to fry, but there is a player who could be taken a little bit later in the draft that can make for a nice steal.

Audie Cole, North Carolina State @ Virginia

Audie Cole would make for a great pick up for a football team in the third or fourth round of this year's draft. Cole, who has 2.5 sacks on the season and 11 in his career, would be a great fit to play alongside Derrick Johnson to form a strong core of linebackers.

Cornerback

If the Chiefs retain Brandon Carr by giving him a new contract, the Chiefs will have Carr, Brandon Flowers and Javier Arenas returning. All three are young guys are playing under Emmitt Thomas in the defensive backfield. It is doubtful the Chiefs address the cornerback position in the draft.

Omar Bolden, #20 Arizona State @ #9 Oregon

Although he hasn't played this season, Bolden would make for a good reserve corner behind the players listed above. Bolden has seven interceptions in his career. But this is just a wild guess as Bolden could be drafted very late.

Safety

The Chiefs will have Eric Berry back next season to play with his draft classmate, Kendrick Lewis. Like cornerback, this isn't a serious need.

Matt Daniels, Duke vs Florida State

Matt Daniels is another wild guess who could be taken late. Jon McGraw may or may not return next year. The Chiefs may search for depth at this position. My guess is it will be Daniels.