Who The Chiefs are Drafting.

[Direckshun]

Some recent mocks.

Walter Football, Charlie Campbell:

11. Kansas City Chiefs: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

After signing Eric Winston to upgrade their right tackle, the Chiefs can look to bolster the interior of their line with the best guard available. Kansas City could still consider a tackle since Brandon Albert could play guard, but he's in the final year of his contract. The Chiefs might also consider Dontari Poe to play nose tackle, but he is not nearly as safe a prospect as DeCastro. Kansas City may also think of trading up with Jacksonville to land Ryan Tannehill.

DeCastro is so dominant that he is worth a top-15 pick. The 6-foot-5, 310-pounder is an experienced starter who was a Second-Team All-American in 2010 and a First-Team All-American this season. The Cardinal averaged 213.8 rush yards per game with DeCastro paving the way at right guard in 2010. He was an overwhelming force for the Stanford this year.

You could make a strong argument for DeCastro being one of the safest picks in this draft class. He is a powerful run blocker who is phenomenal at pulling and hitting blocks on the move. DeCastro is also very good at getting to the second level of the defense and blasting linebackers. He will quickly become a run-blocking asset in the NFL. Addtionally, there is no drawback with DeCastro as a pass blocker. He has a strong base and stonewalls bull rushes, including from larger defensive tackles.

DeCastro saw his best competition of 2011 when facing the University of Washington. Unfortunately, he rarely went against Huskies standout defensive tackle Alameda Ta'amu, but when DeCastro did, he beat Ta'amu on every rep. Stanford ran for 446 yards against Washington. DeCastro also had good performances against USC, Oregon and Oklahoma State.

44. Kansas City Chiefs: Alameda Ta'amu, NT, Washington

The Chiefs need a nose tackle for their 3-4 defense and are fortunate to land one of the few candidates worth an early-round pick.

Ta'amu collected 30 tackles with seven tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks in 2011. He had a good game against Colorado with five tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss and .5 sacks. After that, the 6-foot-3, 337-pounder had a terrible performance against Stanford. Ta'amu was a non-factor as the Cardinal was able to run through him and the Huskies' defense with ease. He also played poorly against Baylor in the Alamo Bowl shootout.

Still, Ta'amu remains one of the better nose tackles in the draft class, and he is perfect to play the nose in a 3-4 defense (plus remains one of the few genuine candidates available). At the Senior Bowl, Ta'amu was inconsistent from play to play and practice to practice. There were times when he overwhelmed linemen and other times when he looked lost.

Ta'amu was a tough run stuffer as a junior in 2010. He recorded 39 tackles with five tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks. In his second year as a starter, Ta'amu was an All-Pac-10 honorable mention. Usually, he is a powerful force at the point of attack who is nearly impossible to move.

74. Kansas City Chiefs: Brock Osweiler, QB, Arizona State

The Chiefs grab a quarterback to groom for a year or two behind Matt Cassel.

Osweiler (6-6, 242) is big-armed pocket passer who has surprising mobility. The former basketball player has good athletic ability for being so tall. Looking at him, one would think he would be a statue in the pocket, but that is definitely not the case as he is a good scrambler.

As a junior this year, Osweiler completed 63 percent of his passes for 4,036 yards with 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He also ran for 298 yards and three touchdowns. Osweiler set the school record for yards, completions and attempts. In 2010, he had only two starts, but played well, throwing for 797 yards and five touchdowns with zero interceptions, while also running for 168 yards and a score.

Osweiler has real arm strength and the gun to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. However, he is very raw and needs some work. If Osweiler goes to a good coaching staff that can develop him for a few years, he could turn into something. It wouldn't be surprising if Osweiler's stock rises during the lead up to the draft. He should have stayed in school and improved before going pro.

107. Kansas City Chiefs: Chase Minnifield, CB, Virginia

The Chiefs could use some depth at cornerback.

After notching two interceptions per season as a freshman and sophomore, Minnifield broke out with six picks in 2010. He also had 48 tackles with one sack and four passes broken up. The 5-foot-10, 183-pounder can contribute as a punt returner as well.

Minnifield hurt his stock when he checked into the Combine significantly shorter than his listed height. Then, Minnifield didn't work out on the field, and he also had the lowest bench press total (seven) of any defensive back.

Minnifield's numbers declined as a senior since most teams threw away from him. In 2011, he totaled three interceptions plus 50 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks and eight passes broken up. His last interception was returned 54 yards for a touchdown.

Minnifield has the ability to function as a man or zone corner. He is a gritty, instinctive player. That could stem from his bloodlines. His father, Frank Minnifield, was a Pro Bowl defensive back in the 1980s.

146. Kansas City Chiefs: James-Michael Johnson, ILB, Nevada

The Chiefs get a backup inside linebacker.

Johnson is a quality value in the fourth round. He totaled 100 tackles with 5.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception and one forced fumble this season. That's much better than his 88 tackles from 2010.

Johnson is at his best when he is attacking the line of scrimmage and would be a quality fit on the inside of a 3-4 defense. For the next level, the 6-foot-2, 249-pounder is a sleeper prospect who could use some development. He recorded a 4.60 time in the 40 at the Combine.

Sports Bank, Paul Banks:

11. Kansas City, Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

This year’s Jason-Pierre Paul, a combine warrior, measurables monster. Poe is so ridiculously big, and men that big aren’t supposed to move like he can. We’ll see if his career pans out to his numbers.

Finding a true nose tackle is extremely difficult, but Poe certainly fits the bill. Poe has great size and strength, and surprisingly plays bigger than his frame would suggest. Memphis coaches called him the hardest worker on the team, and he did extremely well in his Combine interviews, showing teams his passion for the game.

44. Kansas City, Aaron Henry, S, Wisconsin

Besides being one of the best interviews in college football, the Wisconsin Badgers Aaron Henry is also a talented prospect at the safety position.

The senior Henry will enter the NFL Draft this spring and as of now ranks as a top-five safety. With a strong showing prior to the draft, he could go as high as the second round, but shouldn’t go any lower than the third or fourth round.The biggest knack on Henry is his tackling. He’s been known to whiff on defenders from time-to-time and doesn’t have the large body-size to to take down big receivers with ease. He’s not a horrible tackler, but it’s not his strong suit.

Eat Sleep & Drink Football, Kevin Hanson and Sean Beazley:

11. Kansas City Chiefs: Dontari Poe, DT, Memphis

With his size, strength and mobility, Poe's combine workout has been compared to Baltimore's Haloti Ngata (but not his game tape, as noted above). While Poe has the boom-or-bust potential, the Chiefs ranked 26th in the NFL against the run (132.0 yards per game) last year and Romeo Crennel's speciality is coaching the defensive line.

FanSpeak, Steve Shoup:

11. Kansas City Chiefs: ILB Luke Kuechly, Boston College:

The Chiefs are probably going to look defense here (though RT is an option), and if so I think going with Kuechly is a smart play. Teaming him with Derrick Johnson makes that defense pretty potent. Trading back could be an option, but it is going to be tough to pass up a talent like Kuechly.

44. Kansas City Chiefs- NT Alameda Ta’amu, Washington

74. Kansas City Chiefs- QB Kirk Cousins, Michigan State

107. Kansas City Chiefs- DE Malik Jackson, Tennessee

146. Kansas City Chiefs- FS Aaron Henry, Wisconsin

182. Kansas City Chiefs- G Joe Looney, Wake Forrest

218. Kansas City Chiefs – CB Mike Harris, FSU

238. Kansas City Chiefs (via New England Patriots) – WR Jordan White, Ohio

Press Box Scouting:

1 11 11 Kansas City // David DeCastro, OG Stanford

2 12 44 Kansas City // Mychal Kendricks, ILB California

3 11 74 Kansas City // Chris Polk, RB Washington

4 12 107 Kansas City // Coryell Judie, CB Texas A&M

5 11 146 Kansas City // George Bryan, TE North Carolina State

Extra Point:

11. The Kansas City Chiefs (7-9) select:
Luke Kuechly | LB | Boston College | 94

I think Kansas City has killed the offseason, acquiring a replacement at Cornerback and a new Right Tackle. Now, outside of Defensive Line and Quarterback, the Kansas City Chiefs don’t really have many needs.

With Ryan Tannehill off the board, it becomes a little more questionable who the Chiefs are going to take here. The Chiefs need help at Inside Linebacker, and Luke Kuechly could be the perfect solution. Although the Left Guard position could have been addressed, Luke Kuechly is much more likely to make an impact.

44. The Kansas City Chiefs (7-9) select:
Kendall Reyes | DT | Connecticut | 85

The Chiefs need help on their Defensive Line. Outside of that, they don’t really have immediate needs. Kendall Reyes is a Five-Technique project for when the Chiefs inevitably part ways with Tyson Jackson.

75. The Kansas City Chiefs (7-9) select:
Brandon Washington | G | Miami (FL) | 74

The Chiefs need help at Left Guard. Brandon Washington has spent a lot of time at Offensive Tackle in Coral Gables, but he’s going to move inside at the next level.

Draft Tek:

11. Kansas City -- OG David DeCastro, Stanford

Dontari Poe seems to have fallen off the radar a bit, but Michael Brockers and Ryan Tannehilll are starting to register. The Chiefs are probably blowing smoke (Tannehill) or preparing for a trade down (Brockers). The safe bet is still for the Chiefs to take David DeCastro. He is the best player available and the best Guard prospect since Steve Hutchinson. He will lock down an offensive line spot for ten plus years, more than likely at a multiple Pro Bowl level.

44. Kansas City -- QB Brandon Weeden, Oklahoma State

The Chiefs have started to work out second tier quarterbacks like Kirk Cousins and Brock Osweiler. However Brandon Weeden represents the best QB value at this point. He can make all the throws. If he was younger, he would be a first round selection. Weeden needs to learn to operate under center and at his age, needs to come up to speed fast. He should be starting in year two for a eight to ten year NFL career. Is this the beginning of the end of Matt Cassel? It may very well be.

74. Kansas City -- CB Brandon Boykin, Georgia

107. Kansas City -- FS Trenton Robinson, Michigan State

146. Kansas City -- NT Nicolas Jean-Baptiste, Baylor

182. Kansas City -- TE Kevin Koger, Michigan

218. Kansas City -- RB Edwin Baker, Michigan State

238. Kansas City -- OLB Jacquies Smith, Missouri

NFL Draft Geek:

#11) Kansas City Chiefs- David Decastro (Guard Stanford)

In all likelihood, I think on draft day, the Chiefs will end up trading back, possibly with a team looking to move up and pick one of the stellar Defensive Line prospects in the draft. If they do stay here however, I think the Chiefs will have a very tough decision on their hands. They have a big need at Nose Tackle, but people have been realizing lately, that Dontari Poe, is nowhere near ready to anchor a 3-4 defense, and I don't think the Chiefs would take a risk on a big time project this early on in the draft. They too could take a strong look at Luke Kuechly, as they could use someone to play next to Derrick Johnson. However, the Chiefs are really looking to shore up their offensive line, and even though they signed Eric Winston to play RT, they still could use a lot of help up from. Decastro is a dominant Guard prospect, who has all the makings of a perennial Pro-Bowler.

#44) Kansas City Chiefs- Kirk Cousins (QB Michigan State)

I don't think Cousins is really worth this pick, but this is about where his stock is, and K.C does needs to add immediate competition for Matt Cassel

#74) Kansas City Chiefs- Jared Crick (DT/DE Nebraska)

It's amazing what an injury can do. Crick was thought to be a mid 1st round pick going into this year and because of a pec injury he falls to the 3rd round. If he's fully healthy for OTAs and training camp he should be able to challenge for a starting spot at DE. Possible steal of the draft here.

#107) Kansas City Chiefs- Akiem Hicks (DT Canada)

Akiem Hicks is a player that nobody really knows too much about. Out of Regina Canada, he's 6-5 310, and is supposedly very athletic. High upside selection here.

#146) Kansas City Chiefs- A.J Jenkins (WR Illinois)

AJ Jenkins has really impressed these past months and has seen his stock rise. He can come in and at the very least make a push for playing time.

Pro Draft Guide:

Pick 11, Kansas City Chiefs - DT, Dontari Poe, Memphis

After signing (OT) Eric Winston in Free Agency, the Chiefs don't have any glaring needs. With this pick they can get younger talent at Nose Tackle (Kelly Gregg will be 36). If they like (NT) Jerrell Powe enough, this pick could also be used on (ILB) Luke Kuechly.

NE Patriots Draft:

11. Kansas City Chiefs -- Fletcher Cox, DL, Mississippi State

Scott *****-led teams don’t pass on many dynamic defensive line talents like Fletcher Cox. If he is around at #11, I expect the Chiefs to pounce.

44. Kansas City Chiefs -- Josh Robinson, CB, UCF

Robinson is the fastest cornerback in the draft and can also help out in the return game. He will certainly help ease the pain of losing Brandon Carr.

75. Kansas City Chiefs -- BJ Coleman, QB UT-Chattanooga

107. Kansas City Chiefs -- Markelle Martin, S, Oklahoma State

NFL Draft Guru:

11. Kansas City Chiefs – Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College

With the Chiefs having upgraded their offensive line by signing T Eric Winston, they can turn their attention to other areas. A nose tackle would help anchor their 3-4 defense, while Luke Kuechly of Boston College could be a consideration at linebacker. With this draft being deep at defensive tackle and Kuechly having elite zone coverage skills, Kuechly represents the better relative value at pick #11.[/b]

NFL.com, Chad Reuter:

Pick No. 11: David DeCastro, G, Stanford

General manager Scott ***** has also made notable investments on offense, albeit in the running game, signing bruiser Peyton Hillis to complement speedsters Jamaal Charles and Dexter McCluster. DeCastro's strength and mobility would help all those backs find room to run.