Chiefs among free agency 'winners'?

It was only a year ago that many NFL experts believed that the Kansas City Chiefs had "won" the offseason. Scott Pioli made several significant moves and the Chiefs were expected to contend with the Denver Broncos for the AFC West lead and a potential playoff spot. Instead the two teams were polar opposites and the Chiefs now hold the first pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Thus far in the NFL offseason, the Chiefs are being labeled "winners" once again. NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal took an early stab of winners and losers in the AFC in a recent column and listed the Chiefs in the winner category. Rosenthal specifically loves the way that the Chiefs defense could look:

Will all of us media suckers fall for the Chiefs again? The defense looks absolutely loaded after signing cornerbacks Dunta Robinson, Sean Smith and defensive tackle Mike Devito to go with the underrated defensive talent returning. (Derrick Johnson, Tamba Hali, Justin Houston, Brandon Flowers and Eric Berry to start.)

He's not the only one to say so. Many NFL analysts have applauded the work of the Chiefs. Clifton Brown from Sporting News claims they can be a "surprise team" next year. ESPN's Bill Williamson calls them one of the "biggest winners in free agency". And of course own Matt Verderame gave the Chiefs an 'A' grade in a recent rundown at SB Nation.

Rosenthal concludes with the prediction that the Chiefs could bounce back quickly. He writes, "This should be a team that expects to be competitive and around .500 right away."