Roles for the Kansas City Chiefs 2013 Draft class in year 1

Starter in 2013

Eric Fisher, OT, Central Michigan

No doubt. He's a starter. Next season it could be on the left side of the line if Branden Albert ends up getting traded or it could be on the right side if Albert ends up sticking around. Fisher would not be the first highly drafted offensive tackle to start his career on the right side, eventually moving to left. I suspect that's what will happen to him if the Chiefs hang onto Albert.

Since it's becoming clear Albert likely won't be a Chief in 2014, Fisher's future will be on the left side.

5 things to know about Travis Kelce

"I think the Chiefs are going to get someone who is very versatile and if I had to possibly choose one guy [to compare myself to], I would choose Jeremy Shcokey just the way he plays with passion and energy. I think that would be an awesome comparison." -Travis Kelce

Nico Johnson, LB, Alabama

I see Johnson taking the starting role at some point in the 2013 season. It may not be right away -- Akeem Jordan is there and as Andy Reid said he has a few snaps under his belt -- but it's coming. The Chiefs were very thing at inside linebacker before the draft. We knew it was very possible they picked up a starter.

Role player in 2013

Travis Kelce, TE, Cincinnati

Like many of you, I'm starting to like this pick the more I read about him. He's athletic, he can catch and he can block. That will get him on the field for a team that lacked playmakers last season.

With Anthony Fasano's four-year, multimillion deal, you gotta think he's the top tight end on the roster. From there it comes down to Kelce and Tony Moeaki, who has been in the league for three years. Which players offers them more flexibility? With a quarterback who likes to throw to the tight end and a great running back, flexibility to do multiple parts of the job well will be key.

Knile Davis, RB, Arkansas

First, this:

With that said ... Davis totally comes off as a "boom or bust" pick. IF he stays healthy, and IF he plays like he did two years ago ... watch out. On the other hand, he does have an injury history. And a fumbling history. And, oh-by-the-way, the Chiefs have a pretty good player running the ball now.

Braden Wilson, FB, Kansas State

How much does Andy Reid use his fullback? Every coach needs to adapt to their personnel -- a personnel grouping that includes Jamaal Charles -- but I am curious what the Chiefs will do with Wilson. There are a couple other fullbacks on the roster. I'm not really sure yet what to make of him.

Approval poll results

The complete results of our approval polls for all eight of the KC Chiefs 2013 draft picks.

Sanders Commings, CB, Georgia

In 2013, there doesn't seem to be a big role for him. Kendrick Lewis is the incumbent. Dunta Robinson is believed by many to be a candidate to play some safety. Eric Berry, of course, is holding things down on his side. If all goes well there ... Commings doesn't have a big role in 2013. Of course, we don't know what will happen to Lewis on his next contract and Robinson signed a three-year deal which in free agency can sometimes mean one year deal. So we'll see.

Project

Eric Kush, C, California (PA)

I see him as a swing lineman along the interior. Someone who fulfill multiple backup positions. The Chiefs have one guard spot that's unsettled at the moment.

I don't mean "project" in a negative way. Kush just played in a lower level of football so we can't predict how he will play against guys in the NFL.

Mike Catapano, DE/LB, Princeton

He'll start off at outside linebacker. Two reasons he won't see much (if any) playing time: Tamba Hali and Justin Houston. Seventh round picks usually don't pan out into anything more than a small role player but consider me intrigued.

More Chiefs draft coverage:

Andy Reid and Tommy Bahama: A closer look at draft weekend

5 undrafted free agents who could stick

Tracking the Chiefs undrafted free agents

2014 NFL mock draft