2012 NFL Mock Draft

@pickle Disagree. The Chiefs don't need a backup running back or a sleeper from round 4 or 5. They need a stud that can share carries with Jamaal. JC may or may not be ready and he may be injury prone. With no solid RB our offense and defense will struggle much of the time. We do need OL help though, no question. The top priority should be to pump up the running game, if a new experienced QB isn't a good option. FA could also work for OL and RB positions.

@jakl @pickle Lots of good running backs in the later rounds. Charles was a 3rd round pick, Peyton Hillis 7th round, Ray Rice was late 2nd round, Michael Bush-4th round. Especially the bruiser types which would compliment Charles.

@calchiefsfan@pickle Yes, there have been many good RBs from later in the draft, and many many more from later in the draft that were worthless. They need a sure thing at RB. If the 4th or 5th rounder doesn't turn out, they could have the same dead offense they had in 2011. I like T. Richardson, Polk, and D. Wilson (watch his highlight reel), as well as M. Lynch and M. Bush. I don't know too much abour Lamar ?(last name) from Miami. All of these seem to have a strong chance of being solid in 2012.

@jakl @pickle I like Polk too. I think he's projected middle to late second. If Pioli trades down and gets extra picks we can get a couple of quality O linemen and someone like Polk.

No need for a nose tackle, Powe will be in that role next year!!!! @calchiefsfan

@chiefs94 Hope you're right. I had high hopes for him. I think the shortened off season really set him back.

Yep, but i saw some real flashes from him and great speed as well for a guy that size, I think he could develop into a real monster.

@chiefs94 Do we have any piece of data which suggests that he's ready or has developed behind the scenes? I really hope you're right and he's ready to step in and go, but I just haven't heard anything at all about him except for his name being on the inactive list every week.

@jakl @chiefs94 This is one of the issues I have with the local Chiefs beat reporters. Everybody wants to know how our rookies and first year guys are developing and you never hear anything. When Palko was playing I never heard once from our "Chief reporters" if Stanzi looks like he could play or not. All we got was "Haley doesn't think he's ready". Well they have eyes, they go to the practices, they've been watching and reporting on football for 20+ years. What do they see and think? Well that's my rant for the week. I want more info!

@Ehud Agreed, which I'm not against if they get good value. After the first 5 picks the talent seems to drop off.

I think they hav pick 167th! Baaa haa haa haaaaaaa!!!!

@tm1946 This is total conjecture, but after Charles where does our RB corp go? Jones for his usual 2 yards? McCluster should be in the slot and not the backfield. Battle doesn't exactly set the world on fire, he is just better relative to what we have. Anything we can do to improve the offense should be considered. Anyway, I highly doubt a Heisman finalist drops this far. But it is fun to talk about!!!

@BluMax Our RB changes with later picks, many 4th rounders are more than adequate backup with potential for RB. Or, how is this for nutty, spend a few extra bucks and sign a veteran free agent. Not every member of the right 53 needs to be a draft choice. PS you are right about McCluster. does that mean Pioli lets Bowe walk? Circles inside of circles. Either way defense will save the Chiefs in 2012. We need a offense but that may depend on coaching as opposed to early picks.

@tm1946 @BluMax My hope is that they don't seek a backup RB but more of second RB who gets 12 or so carries on top of Charles' 12-15 carries. I think the offense and defense (staying off the field) improve most by getting a top notch RB. Investing in Marshawn Lynch would be great; I don't have my hopes up though.

@tm1946 I agree with you that we need to spend some money in the FA market and, hopefully, there will be some good players out there that Pioli and Hunt will feel compelled to open the purse up for and pursue. AND you are right, not every player has to be a draft pick. The game here is to play "what if . . .?" In reality, we have three key players coming off knee injuries that usually take at least 2 years to come back from and play @ 100%. For running backs this type of injury can significantly shorten their playing life span. So another RB seems like a prudent thing to pursue given all "depth" we have on this team. I have said for a long time that I think there is something wrong with Bowe and his relationship with the organization. Pioli won't let him walk, but even if they franchise him, he will holdout during OTAs and training camp and pout on the sidelines and become such a distraction that the Chiefs will trade him. He is one of those players that signing a big contract will only create a monster. Incredible talent, incredible ego. I keep hearing on the radio that Carr is almost out the door right now. Using your theory that our defense will have to stop teams for us to win, he would be a greater loss than Bowe. If we keep him, we would have a defensive backfield of galactic proportion. BUT the NFL and those making the decisions in it is a weird, weird place where logic is defied on an hourly basis. Should be an interesting off season. Good entertainment.

@tm1946 Trent RIchardson would improve the Chiefs more signficantly then any other player available. If a quarterback improvment doesn't appear to be an option we need to highly upgrade our running game. It was horrible this year. Charles could get hurt again. We need to put less pressure on the QB. A Richardson-Charles combo would be dynamite.

@jakl You are right but the defense needs to keep team under 17 points. Better fix that first, maybe use free agents to fill in at RB, same result except Clark has to spend some extra money?

@tm1946 I love the idea of getting a beast at NT or DE in the first round, although through my research (I'm not an expert by any means), there doesn't appear to be anyone who fits well into the 3-4 defense (based on size) at either of those positions. The best fit may be Jared Crick from Nebraska who's recovering from an ACL injury. He could be a good pickup in round 2 or 3, but not one. I think we'll probably have a similar line in 2012 as we had in 2011; perhaps Bailey may keep developing. We could maybe upgrade NT through free agency, and what the heck is going on with Powe. Is he not developing?

@tm1946 I don't trust NT Alameda Ta’amu. I live in Washington and witnessed several teams (e.g., Stanford, Baylor) run for like 400 years on them. I want a sure thing in the first round.

@jakl I was not aware of it but Powe has issues. Some form of dylexia (sp). May never be the player his size warrant, hope for the best and wait,

@jakl @tm1946 With his learning issues, I would guess that Powe really suffered with the lack of an offseason. I will be interested to see where he is next season. As far as getting a NT, it is looking like round 2 is going to be the sweet spot for getting a NT. Dontari Poe is a name to watch at NT.

@merlin_AA Frankly I think the Chiefs need a RB more than they need a tackle. I believe they can find a decent RT later in the draft or in FA (they had one on the roster this year and cut him). They way my mock was shaking out, I thought Richardson was such an outstanding player still available that he was a smart pick. Charles needs help and if the Chiefs are going to go with a guy like Matt Cassel on offense then they have to have a sick running game. Richardson offers depth and a legitimate threat.

@patrickallen@merlin_AA You think Richardson could pick up that yard in the red zone. I do.

@merlin_AA I also wouldn't mind if the Chiefs traded back in to the first round to snag Peter Konz. That would enable them to keep Hudson at G if they want.

@patrickallen@merlin_AA Yes, the Chiefs could find a better than Barry Richardson RT later in the draft but, if you get a good enough tackle then he can take over the LT and Albert can move to RT. Then you are a later RT pick from moving Albert to OG and you have set your OL for 7 - 10 years. No question Charles needs help but, it seems like past drafts are showing that good RBs can be gotten in later rounds with fair consistency. But I understand your thought process.

@patrickallen @merlin_AA Patrick are you talking about trading back into or trading back in. I'd like them to trade back, pick up an extra pick, and still get Konz

@patrickallen@merlin_AA You don't like Hudson at center? Isn't Konz injury prone?