Below is a sampling of the players that the Kansas City Chiefs have scouted in person, brought in for a workout or had rumored interest in according to our draft interests table.
GM Scott Pioli and the rest of the Chiefs staff have shown an interest in over 50 prospects (that have made the news) since we started tracking the Chiefs draft interests following the Senior Bowl.
Defensive Candidates
DE Everette Brown (FSU, Rd. 1) - Private workout (Reported on March 21st)
*Projected as an outside linebacker in the Chiefs' 3-4 scheme, there's been little buzz around Brown as the Chiefs third overall pick.
DE Brian Orakpo (Texas, Rd. 1) - Visited with the Chiefs (April 2)
*Regarded as the best 3-4 outside linebacker available, I haven't heard a lot about Orakpo and KC. Is this good or bad for him? You never know with this regime.
DE Tyson Jackson (LSU, Rd. 1) - Rumored Interest/Attended Pro Day (March 17)
*Most wouldn't put Jackson this high (and they're probably right) but he's the best player available at a position of need for the Chiefs. Remember, Scott Pioli chose a 3-4 defensive end (Richard Seymour) the first time he was picking this high.
LB Aaron Curry (Wake Forest, Rd. 1) - Private workout (April 2-3)
*Curry is the popular pick amongst mock drafters. He's widely accepted as the top linebacker in this draft and the Chiefs biggest need is arguably linebacker. The concerns about him are that he wasn't asked to rush the passer.
LB Rey Maualuga (USC, Rd. 1) - Visited with the Chiefs (April 9)/Spoke with him at the Senior Bowl/Attended Pro Day (April 1)/Scouted in person in 2008
*Early on Maualuga seemed like a viable pick. His stock has dipped slightly because he's not a numbers guy and didn't benefit at the NFL Combine like so many of these players have. He's still a candidate to be the Chiefs' pick but with the addition of Zach Thomas, inside linebacker isn't as desperate a position to fill.
DT B.J. Raji (Boston College, Rd. 1) - Scouted in person in 2008
*I've heard basically nothing on the Chiefs and B.J. Raji. There was a report from Sports Illustrated that he tested positive at the NFL Combine which was proved false. He got in some trouble during college for smokin' the dope and has character concerns according to multiple sources.
The offensive candidates are after the jump...
Offensive Candidates
OT Jason Smith (Baylor, Rd. 1) - Visited with the Chiefs (1st week of April)
*Smith is one of the top two left tackles on the board and is a definite possibility for the Chiefs. He's very athletic and would likely assume the left tackle role while Brandon Albert moved to the right side.
OT Andre Smith (Alabama, Rd. 1) - Attended Pro Day (March 12)
The Chiefs attended the Alabama Pro Day and in the link above, Chiefs scout for the southeastern region Mike Hagan was seen talking to him. There hasn't been any buzz about the Chiefs taking Smith after his falling out at the Combine and general slippery (is that a word?) since he was suspended for the Crimson Tide's bowl game.
OT Eugene Monroe (Virginia, Rd. 1) - Scouted in person in 2008
We haven't heard if the Chiefs brought Monroe in for a workout or if we attended the Virginia Pro Day. It's likely that both happened (but, surprise, the Chiefs kept it quiet). This can be taken one of two ways - the Chiefs are keeping their interest in Monroe a secret so he's available or they have little interest in him.