Arrowheadlines: Chiefs News 5/1

Good morning! Here is today's Kansas City Chiefs news. We have more draft reviews and the undrafted free agents. Enjoy.

Prior to signing this year's cast of rookie free agents, Kansas City's roster included 17 veterans who once entered the NFL undrafted. The list includes a number contributors developed from within the organization, like starting middle linebacker Jovan Belcher and special teams ace Cory Greenwood.

Belcher was part of Pioli's first undrafted and has risen from small-school find to regular starter. He finished second on the team with a career-high 120 tackles last season and owns 250 stops in his three years with the Chiefs.

Don't Discount The Undrafted from The Mothership

"Kansas City called me during the draft and told me to be ready when the draft was over,'' Kinnie said. "I was still hoping to go late-round. When it was over, I got calls from Oakland, New Orleans, New England, Washington, But my agent said Kansas City was really pressing, that they really wanted me and then they called me to say the same thing. So I took their opportunity, and I'm ready to make the best of it."

New Chief Brandon Kinnie Comes Full Circle from KC Star

KC Star Photo Gallery: Chiefs' Draft Picks

KFSN Video: Devon Wylie Drafted By Kansas City

The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Monday that the club has agreed to terms with the following 15 rookie free agents:

Chiefs Agree To Terms With 15 Rookie Free Agents from The Mothership

They hit defensive back hard, signing five. They signed two wide receivers, two offensive linemen and one each at tight end, running back, fullback, linebacker, defensive end and kicker.

Here's the list by position:

Full List Of Undrafted Free Agent Signings from The Red Zone

As for the rest of the Chiefs' draft, I'm mostly sticking with my any-major-instant-reaction-is-overreaction stance when talking about specific players.

But I do think it's fair to judge thought processes, and toward that end, most everything Pioli did in the draft makes plain sense. My only nitpicking is I wish they'd have taken an inside linebacker instead of one of the offensive linemen - filling a bigger hole, especially in the short-term - but I also understand that the way the draft played out, there may not have been a great time for the Chiefs to do it.

Chiefs Draft Rewind, And Some Numbers That Might Surprise You About Eric Hosmer from Don't Kill The Mellinger

Missing in Action: Prior to Matt Cassel's injury in 2011, he began showing the same inconsistencies that plagued him back in 2009. Knowing Cassel's limitations, we expected the Chiefs to take a look at Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins. A solid three-year starter (and team captain), Cousins ran a predominately pro-style offense and could have been pushed Cassel in 2012.

Missouri Sports Magazine's final draft grade: B

Feature: 2012 Kansas City Chiefs Draft Review from Missouri Sports Magazine

It might work out in the long term, but the Chiefs might have missed a chance to take hold of the AFC West. Sure, Denver is going to be the preseason favorite after winning the division last season and adding Peyton Manning via free agency.

The Chiefs, however, should not be sold short. They lost the division by only one game last season, despite playing all or a large portion of the season without injured stars Jamaal Charles, Eric Berry, Matt Cassel and Tony Moeaki. They could be a playoff team this season, but they're going to likely have to do it without big contributions from the 2012 draft class.

2012 NFL Draft Winners And Losers from KC Star

Hershey, a 2007 Ross graduate, has been invited to take part in the Kansas City Chiefs' Rookie Mini-Camp on May 11-13.

"It's what I've always wanted to do. It's been a dream of mine to possibly make it to the NFL," Hershey said Sunday. "And now I'm getting a chance to get myself in the door. It's not a contract or anything, it's just an invite to a mini-camp. But I'm going to go show them what I can do for a few days."

Paul Hershey Earns Shot To Try Out With Kansas City Chiefs from The Fremont News Messenger

So what would Chiefs GM Scott Pioli do this year? Play it safe or gamble on potential?

He decided to roll the dice and go against the Chiefs' dreadful history of picking defensive linemen.

When the Chiefs picked Memphis' mammoth defensive tackle Dontari Poe, the screaming of their fans could be heard for miles. Immediately, images of Glenn Dorsey, Tyson Jackson, Alex Magee, Tank Tyler, Ryan Sims and Junior Siavii came to mind.

Pioli, Chiefs Take Gamble With First-Round Selection from The McPherson Sentinel

In Kansas City, Parks will be reunited with former Creekside High School teammate Eric Barry, who is a star safety with the Chiefs. He will also join former FSU teammate Rodney Hudson, who was taken by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Terrance Parks Signs Deal With Kansas City Chiefs from Seminoles.com

Former Cal offensive lineman Justin Cheadle has agreed to terms on an undrafted free agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. Cheadle played in 47 games with 35 starts at Cal from 2008-11, starting 21 consecutive games at right guard at one point in his career. Cheadle was a two-time winner of the team's Bob Tessier Award as its Most Improved Lineman.

Justin Cheadle Agrees To Terms With Kansas City from CalBears.com

"You're talking about a guy that could've been a fourth-round pick, and I don't think anybody could have had a real big argument with that," Kiper said of Hemingway on Monday during a conference call. "That to me was one of the better picks in the late rounds. I think he'll have a great opportunity to help that football team."

U-M's Hemingway, Molk Were Seventh-Round Steals, Kiper Says from The Detroit News

The Jets called Kinne during the sixth round on Saturday and explained that, if they didn't pick him, they wanted to sign him as a free agent. He also weighed a free-agent offer from the Kansas City Chiefs. Enter, Pennington.

"We really hit it off," Kinne said Monday in a phone interview. "We talked through the whole draft. He told me, 'If the Jets really want you, I'd jump on it.'"

Chad Recruits QB With A Remarkable Story from ESPN

Actually, this may be the first time "Mr. Irrelevant" was taken in the first round. But enough about the Kansas City Chiefs' pick.

Husker Back Moves On; "Mr. Irrelevant" Shows Up Early from The Omaha World-Herald

Kansas City Chiefs - They figure to be a lot better in 2012 than 2011. Most of that comes just from better luck with injuries, but they've also made some nice moves in free agency (Eric Winston), with a solid draft including Dontari Poe, the first defensive lineman off the board.

2012 NFL Draft Roundup from Sports Central