With the additions of Ryan Lilja, Casey Wiegmann, Shaun Smith, and Thomas Jones, the Chiefs have done an exceptional job in free agency this year. With these key roster positions in mind, it's time now to focus on the upcoming draft. I've researched just about every mock draft site known to man over the last few months and I DVR'd every day of the scouting combine this year, so I think I've got a pretty good understanding of the talent pool  coming out of the college ranks. With that being said, I've scrolled over all the names available and conducted a mock draft of my own...

THE TRADE

I will be extremely surprised if the Chiefs select a player at the 5th overall pick. Clausen will still be available and the Buffalo Bills are desperate for a QB, giving the Chiefs an excellent trading partner. I feel the Chiefs will trade their 5th overall and throw in the 5th pick in round 5 for Buffalo's 1st and second round selections. The point value (according to ESPN's draft-pick value chart) leans in favor of the Chiefs, but if Buffalo wants their QB, they'll be willing to make the sacrifice.

POSITIONS OF NEED

The Chiefs have holes in almost every position. The key roster spots that I feel are up for grabs are at LB, S, WR, TE, OT, and OG. The following results are realistic and very achievable. They also give the Chiefs the best possible player in key positions throughout each and every round of this year's draft. The only position I just couldn't pull the trigger on was TE. Although there were a couple TE's that caught my eye, I felt other positions of need had greater priority. By the time the Chiefs were on the clock to take another player, the highest rated TE's on my board were gone, and I wasn't going to select a TE just to say I selected one (i.e. Brad Cottam).

THE DRAFT

So, here's how the draft turned out. Remember, the Chiefs trade down from 5th overall to 9th overall and swap the 5th pick of round 5 for the 9th pick of round 2. By the way, I have no idea why the LSU boys always wind up on the Chiefs roster, but the school keeps pumping out pro prospects.

ROUND 1, PICK 5 - Trade with Buffalo Bills.

ROUND 1, PICK 9 - Rolando McLain, ILB, Alabama

McClain can start right away and his presence will be felt. Very intelligent football player and extremely athletic.

ROUND 2, PICK 5 - Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida

Pouncey will have a year or two to study under Wiegmann.

ROUND 2, PICK 9 - Chad Jones, SS, LSU

Fearing the 1st round bust probability of Berry, Jones is a great pick. A gifted athlete that hits like a ton of bricks, Jones will roam center field for years to come, but in a football uniform (not at "The K").

ROUND 2, PICK 18 - Mardy Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati

Gilyard is a bit of a project. He has the talent to become an elite receiver at this level. He just needs to put it all together. Long arms, break-away speed are positives. Needs work on squaring off routes.

ROUND 3, PICK 5 - Ciron Black, OT, LSU

Prototypical Right Tackle. This guy is a road grater. Black and Lilja will open up holes on the right side that even LJ could run through.

ROUND 4, PICK 5 - Mitch Petrus, OG, Arkansas

Ummmm, 45 reps? Enough said. Will be the replacement at LG when Waters decides to call it quits.

ROUND 5, PICK 11 - Danario Alexander, WR, Missouri

Alexander could be the sleeper pick of the entire draft.

ROUND 5, PICK 13 - Charles Scott, RB, LSU

Scott is all heart. He's big and strong and will not give up. He's not a game-breaker and lacks top-end speed, but will add big thunder to Jamaal Charles' lightning.