2012 NFL Mock Draft: 7-Round Kansas City Chiefs Predictions

While it may only be the middle of the season, it is never too early for NFL scouts to look for potential draft picks that could make a difference for a franchise. It is never too early for us bloggers to make predictions either.

As one of the better evaluators of the game, Scott Pioli is paying close attention to college football games before his team, the Kansas City Chiefs, plays on Sunday.

The Chiefs haven't been perfect so far and there are a lot of holes on this football team.

In this slideshow, we will look at seven players, one for each round, that could come in and make a difference for the Chiefs as we look for the best players and the biggest needs the Chiefs are looking for.

Courtney Upshaw, OLB, Alabama

Surprise! It's not a quarterback.

I agree with the majority that the Chiefs need to seek a new quarterback. However, Todd Haley and Pioli are not giving away any signs or indications that they dislike Matt Cassel.

In other news, the Chiefs are in last place in the NFL with only nine sacks this season. Of the nine that have been collected, Tamba Hali has come away with six of them.

The experiment with Andy Studebaker, Cameron Sheffield and Justin Houston isn't working out. The Chiefs need a new pass-rusher soon.

While Hali is good, it isn't hard to realize he led the AFC in sacks because he was the only notable pass-rusher on the team in 2010.

This past Sunday, Hali was dominated by Dolphins offensive tackle Jake Long in a 31-3 loss. Hali will have some bad moments, like every other player. That is when other players need to step up and the Chiefs don't have a player who can do so.

It is time to invest in a pass-rusher in the first round. Courtney Upshaw has been with a very good Alabama football team and could help the Chiefs improve against the pass.

Levy Adcock, OT, Oklahoma State

Barry Richardson has been the weakest link on the offensive line this season for the Chiefs and there is no one behind him worth starting.

The Chiefs need to part ways with Richardson and make an attempt for Big 12 offensive tackle Levy Adcock from Oklahoma State.

Jamaal Charles will return next season and it is for sure that he will attack the outside. The Chiefs will need some help on the right side to give Charles room to run.

Cassel will also benefit from this by having better pass protection. If Adcock plays left tackle, it would be more beneficial since that is Cassel's blind side.

Coby Fleener, TE, Stanford

Cody Fleener may not be seen as a top draft pick by some people, allowing him to be available in the third round. Fleener is currently leading all tight ends in the nation in touchdown receptions with eight.

Tony Moeaki's ACL injury in the preseason finale against Green Bay will keep him sidelined for all of 2011. Moeaki also had injury issues last year during training camp when he was a rookie.

The Chiefs have some great offensive weapons in their passing game, but Fleener could help improve that, especially if Moeaki ends up being unavailable again.

Remember when the Chiefs drafted Larry Johnson in 2003 as an insurance policy for Priest Holmes? This would be a similar move. The Chiefs would have a reliable backup tight end if Moeaki was to go down to injury again.

If Moeaki is playing, the Chiefs have a lot of options with two good tight ends.

Kevin Zeitler, OG, Wisconsin

By the fourth round, you find some non-starters who could be reliable backups. Kevin Zeitler would be an option for the Chiefs in this round.

Zeitler could help the Chiefs build depth at the offensive line. Cassel needs better protection and the Chiefs hope to have a strong running game when Charles returns to work with Jackie Battle and Dexter McCluster.

Kansas City will need all the help they can get at the line with many big bodies to help keep the offense fresh and aggressive.

Jeffrey Demps, RB, Florida

Jeffery Demps is a player with many skilled talents. The NFL is turning into a league where speed is the name of the game.

Demps can help the Chiefs in the backfield as a running back and as a returner on special teams. With McCluster and Javier Arenas struggling, the Chiefs could use a new returner.

Also, if Charles was to get hurt again, Demps could back up Battle as the Chiefs currently have little support for Battle. It is likely that the Chiefs part ways with Thomas Jones, who is in the final year of his two-year contract. Jones and McCluster have not been able to step up for Charles' absence and Battle needs help carrying the football.

Chris Owusu, WR, Stanford

Here is another pass-catcher who Andrew Luck has had some success with.

Chris Owusu wouldn't be in a position to beat out Dwayne Bowe for the starting spot, assuming Bowe re-signs.

Owusu would be a player who gets a few catches throughout the season and helps the team build a strong depth.

Usually this late in the draft, you cannot expect every player to turn out like Tom Brady and have a surprise career. You have to see which position needs some depth and roll the dice.

Cody Johnson, FB, Texas

Last year, the Chiefs drafted fullback Shane Bannon out of Yale, who didn't do very well with the Chiefs.

Pioli may want to try again with another fullback—this time, Cody Johnson from Texas.

Johnson is not only a big blocker that can create a big hole for a running back to strike through, but he can also make some catches coming out of the backfield to help move the chains when the defense least expects it.

Le'Ron McClain signed a one-year deal with the Chiefs. It is likely that the Chiefs could explore a fullback at some point in this draft if McClain leaves the team.