During the past two seasons, Chiefs GM Scott Pioli has successfully built a roster loaded with players of high character, strong work ethic and leadership on and off the field. The presence of those players is why Pioli was willing to make some high-risk and potentially high-reward selections in this year's NFL Draft.

Offense
Head coach Todd Haley has to be thrilled with the selection of first-round pick Jonathan Baldwin. Baldwin will not just take pressure off of Dwayne Bowe, but the former Pitt Panther has the potential to unseat Bowe as the team's top receiving threat.

Labeled as a malcontent who had run-ins with his coaches at Pitt, Baldwin is planning on attending the same off-season camp held by former Panther Larry Fitzgerald, the same camp Bowe attended last year. If the camp can yield results for Baldwin anywhere close to the ones that turned Bowe's career around last year, Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel could have another career year and lead his team on another run deep into the playoffs this season.

Perhaps the best pick of the entire draft weekend for the Chiefs was the second-round selection of Florida State center Rodney Hudson (pictured). While he has the versatility to play anywhere on the interior line, his athleticism and leadership qualities will in all likelihood make him the heir apparent to aging veteran Casey Wiegmann at center.

For the first time since the 2006 selection of Brodie Croyle in the third round, the Chiefs used a fifth-round pick on Iowa's Ricky Stanzi. Stanzi was 26-9 in three seasons as the starter for the Hawkeyes, and set the school's single-season record for passing efficiency (157.63) last season. His presence could very well spell the end of the Croyle era in Kansas City.

Pioli's final pick in the draft, Yale fullback Shane Bannon, ran the ball just twice in college but did catch 16 passes for 147 yards and two touchdowns during his career. His chances of making the team will ride on his ability to play special teams as well as proving he can clear the way for Chiefs halfbacks on short yardage plays, something that last year’s fullbacks weren’t particularly adept at.

Defense
With obvious needs at OLB and NT, the Chiefs addressed both positions by selecting Georgia LB Justin Houston in the third round and Ole Miss NT Jerrell Powe in the sixth round.

Houston was a menace as the Bulldogs' primary pass-rusher in Georgia's new 3-4 defense in 2010. He had 10 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss. If not for a failed drug test at the combine, and a previous drug suspension back in 2009, he could have heard his name called in the first round. If he can stay on the straight and narrow, Houston could step in as a starter opposite Tamba Hali, in the OLB spot vacated by unsigned free agent Mike Vrabel, potentially giving the Chiefs the best pass-rushing unit they've had since Marty Schottenheimer was the coach.

Former Ole Miss Rebel Powe provides the Chiefs something they haven’t had since implementing the 3-4 defense, a massive presence in the middle of their defensive line. At 335 pounds, Powe can be the anchor that the Chiefs defense has so desperately needed against the run, allowing others around him to make plays. If not for the depth in this year's draft, the Rebels' 2010 defensive team captain could have been selected anywhere in the first three rounds. As it stands, the Chiefs are hoping he is a steal as a sixth-rounder.

The Chiefs' remaining picks on the defensive side of the ball will provide positional depth and could blossom into more as the season goes on. Miami defensive end Allen Bailey is a beast in the weight room with a fantastic work ethic, so much so that if former first-round pick Tyson Jackson doesn't step up his game, he could find himself losing snaps to the Hog Hammock, Ga., native.

Colorado cornerback Jalil Brown has great size for a corner (6-0 and 204 pounds) and like so many Pioli draft picks before him, Brown was a team captain his senior season and has exceptionally strong character and work ethic. He will likely give Javier Arenas a run for his money as the Chiefs nickel corner.

Finally, the Chiefs grabbed Oregon State OLB Gabe Miller, who began his career with the Beavers as a tight end, but earned All Pac-10 honorable mention honors at defensive end in his senior season. Miller could see spot play at linebacker but his future likely rides on his ability to play special teams.

Overall
This year's draft addressed several positions of need for the Chiefs, and while a few picks do present some level of risk, Pioli is betting that his coaching staff and the high character leaders on the roster will help this group reap the rewards that their talent warrants.

Grade: B+

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-- JAMES ADKINS
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Some quick thoughts on the newest Chiefs ...

No. 26 Jonathan Baldwin, Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh
I thought this was a great pick for moving down. I know some fans wanted an offensive tackle but Baldwin fits a need for the Chiefs. You can expect teams to put eight men in the box to stop Jamaal Charles. With one-on-one coverage on the outside, the Chiefs wanted to add another weapon to compliment Dwayne Bowe. Let's not forget the Chris Chambers only had 22 catches last season as the Chiefs No. 2 receiver.

No. 55 Rodney Hudson, Center, Florida State
The interior of the Chiefs offensive line is old and it's time for a change. Last season you saw the Chiefs take Jon Asamoah to fill their offensive guard spot of the future. Hudson should fill their center spot of the present. If Branden Albert finally hits his potential, then the Chiefs could have a dominating offensive line for years to come.

No. 70 Justin Houston, Linebacker, Georgia
The Chiefs took Houston in the third round but he easily could have gone in the first round. If it wasn’t for a failed drug test at the combine, the Chiefs might have considered him with the No. 26 pick. The truth is the Chiefs needed another pass rusher outside of Tamba Hali. I believe Houston is a steal in the third round even with his stretchy past.

No. 86 Allen Bailey, Defensive End, Miami (Fla.)
Bailey could be a sleeper pick for the Chiefs. His athleticism and versatility could be beneficial to the Chiefs 3-4 defense. Some fans might have been in favor of a offensive tackle here, but I trust that he will be another weapon for Romeo Crennel's defense.

No. 118 Jalil Brown, Cornerback, Colorado
The league's wide receivers are getting bigger and faster every year so it’s smart to add more depth at the position. It's also nice that Brown is a big physical corner that has played against quality competition in college. Remember Dez Bryant, last season's first-round pick of the Cowboys out of Oklahoma State?

No. 135 Ricky Stanzi, Quarterback, Iowa
Brodie Croyles' time is up in Kansas City and the team needs some to develop. Enter Ricky Stanzi, a former college teammate of Chiefs tight end Tony Moeaki. I think this is a wise decision for the Chiefs front office. He is a pro-style quarterback that has faced quality competition.

No. 140 Gabe Miller, Outside Linebacker, Oregon State
He should will provide depth at the position and should make an impact on special teams.

No. 199 Jerrell Powe, Defensive Tackle, Ole Miss
This is a value pick. He was teammate of Dexter McCluster and Kendrick Lewis at Ole Miss. Some scouts had him Powe graded out as high as the second-round pick but most probably had him in the third or fourth. Luckily for the Chiefs he slipped all the way down to the sixth. A lot of defensive linemen went early so maybe this is how he became available for the Chiefs.

No. 223 Shane Bannon, Running Back, Yale
The Chiefs worked him out for a reason. He fills a need and can blow up some people.

Final Thoughts: I thought the Chiefs really went after needs and talent. Some may question why they didn’t address the offensive tackle position. This could be because they like Barry Richardson or they plan to address this position when/if free agent begins. The Chiefs also took some talented players with checkered pasts. I don't believe it's a big deal for the team. They built a strong foundation last season by drafting team captains and quality character players. So after a bad 2009 draft and a great 2010 draft, Scott Pioli looks to have continued in a positive direction.

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-- ANTHONY CARELLA
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We all know the factors that NFL teams use to assess player talent -- speed, agility, height, weight, strength, character, intellect, etc, etc. But as we saw Thursday night when the Baltimore Ravens failed to make their pick in time and got leapfrogged in the order by the Chiefs, executing this simple act is critical.

So here is how the process actually works.

As soon as your team is on the clock, the individuals working the table in the front rows of Radio City Music Hall get a call from the "war room," which is usually at the training facility. The selection is written down on a pick card including the player's name, position and college:

The card is usually completed in speedy fashion but is not released immediately. Instead, the card is held while the clock counts down. Stated differently, the winding down of the clock generally has nothing to do with the team being indecisive.

Assuming the team isn't 100 percent committed to its pick (a la Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers), the gurus in the war room, then, use the remaining clock time to entertain offers from other teams. They will wait most of their allotted time. The team on the clock might be made an offer it can't refuse. Indeed, this year such an offer was made. While Cleveland was on the clock with the sixth pick overall pick, Atlanta traded up with the Browns giving away a wealth of picks (27th overall, 59th pick/second round, plus first- and fourth-rounders in 2012). If a deal isn't made during the team's allotted time, it then, of course, "makes its pick."

So, again, that brings us back to how does one actually "make a pick." Once a team is on the clock, a runner from the NFL stands behind the team's table. When the team turns around and physically hands its completed pick card to the runner, the team has made its pick (even if there is only one second on the clock).

The delay in announcing it has nothing to do with the actual making of the pick. Once the card is handed in, the pick is officially made and, at this point, cannot be changed.

But what happens after a representative at the team's table hands in the selection card? I was fortunate enough to track down Eric FInklestein, Director of NFL Events, who was able to give me a few minutes in his busy schedule to explain the process.

When a representative of the Chiefs, for instance, hands its completed selection card to an NFL runner standing behind him, the runner instantly raises his or her hand. An NFL official known as the "clock operator" and sitting at the head desk (located at the foot of the stage at Radio City Music Hall) takes that team off the clock.

The NFL uses three runners. Two to stand behind the table of the team on the clock and one behind the team on deck. Once the pick is made, one runner brings the card to the clock operator and the second runner joins his colleague on the team that is now on the clock. That runner informs the team of what pick was made (even before it is announced) so it knows which player is no longer available.

Next to the clock operator is an official who makes sure the team's pick is properly announced. In the middle of the head desk is an NFL official who advises the NFL Network and ESPN of the name of the pick. The stations need this information in advance so they can get the appropriate highlight tape cued up. The final two officials at the head table and verify the pick and record trades. They also check the selection card for any mistake or ambiguity. If there is a mistake (it is almost a minor one), these officials will work with the team to get it corrected.

The officials at the head desk quietly go about their business. They get very little attention and no TV time, but these five officials are the heart and soul of the draft.

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-- MATTHEW WEISS
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After winning just ten games in their previous three seasons combined, the Kansas City Chiefs surprised the NFL in 2010 with a 10-6 record, a trip to the playoffs and their first division championship since 2003. As the 2011 NFL Draft quickly approaches, here are the Chiefs’ draft needs, which if not addressed could result in a fall from grace every bit as dramatic as last season's rise to the top of the AFC West.

Quarterback: Low
Matt Cassel proved to everyone in Kansas City in 2010 that the Chiefs were right in acquiring him from the New England Patriots back in 2009, throwing for 27 touchdowns and earning his first trip to the Pro Bowl. However after six years in the league, backup Brodie Croyle just doesn't have the makings of a full-time NFL starter should anything happen to Cassel. The Chiefs need to find the next QB-in-wait in Kansas City, but it may only be in the form of a late-round flyer in a quarterback-rich draft.

Running Back: Low
With Jamaal Charles under contract through 2015, the Chiefs need only worry about the eventual departure of veteran Thomas Jones. While Jones has confirmed that he will return for his 12th season, the Chiefs should begin making plans for life without Thomas in 2012.

Wide Receiver: Must Have
After the 2009 season, Kansas City thought they may finally have a solid No. 2 receiver to pair with Dwayne Bowe in veteran Chris Chambers. However, 2010 likely saw the Chambers era in Kansas City come to an end as the veteran wideout caught only 22 passes on the season and was deactivated from the Chiefs playoff loss to the Ravens. The Chiefs have to address this position in the draft and find themselves a starter that can take some pressure off Bowe and tight end Tony Moeaki.

Offensive Line: Must Have
It isn't the nature of Chiefs General Manager Scott Pioli to draft offensive linemen in the first round. In fact the only time it has happened in Pioli's career was when he was a member of the Patriots' front office in 2001 when they selected Matt Light. This year, with needs at both right tackle and center, don't be surprised if Pioli and company go after Wisconsin's Outland Trophy winner Gabe Carimi in round one. Carimi is the best run-blocking tackle in the draft, and he would appear to be a match made in Chiefs' heaven blocking for Jamaal Charles.

Defensive Line: Very High
While the Chiefs defense made huge strides in 2010 under the leadership of defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel, the most glaring area in need of improvement remains the defensive line, particularly nose tackle. Veteran Ron Edwards has held the position for the past two seasons, but has done so averaging fewer than 30 tackles per season and not forcing a single fumble. Defensive end is also an issue, but may only be addressed if Pioli is willing to admit that drafting Tyson Jackson was a mistake. Jackson has underwhelmed in his two seasons since coming to the Chiefs as a first-round pick out of LSU, averaging 34 tackles and registering just one sack in 28 games.

Linebacker: Very High
After veteran linebacker Mike Vrabel gets done with his off-season job of representing the players union in its negotiations with the owners, he'll be looking to see if the Chiefs are willing to offer the 35 year-old free agent a new contract. Vrabel tallied his lowest tackles total (48) since 2000 when he was special teams player with the Steelers, and for the first time in his career didn't register a single sack. Needless to say, the Chiefs need to find a replacement for Vrabel quickly, and while reserve Andy Studebaker has shown flashes in his three seasons, it remains to be seen if he can truly take over a starting role.

Secondary: Low
The Chiefs have one of the best young cornerback tandems in the league with starters Brandon Flowers and Brandon Carr. And after drafting safeties Eric Berry and Kendrick Lewis to go with nickel back Javier Arenas a year ago, the Chiefs appear set for at least the next few years in the secondary.

Special Teams: Low
Punter Dustin Colquitt and kicker Ryan Succop aren't at risk of losing their jobs anytime soon, and with the Chiefs picking up Arenas and wide receiver Dexter McCluster in last year's draft, they have the return game covered as well.

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-- JAMES ADKINS
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With the draft less than a week away, it’s time to break down the Chiefs' draft needs. This season's draft has more importance than any other year. The league is currently locked out and that means no free agency, which basically extends the list of needs for the Chiefs to address. The first round is always tricky especially at the 21st pick. This is why I believe they should go with best available, but only if he fits in one of these categories.

Outside Linebacker
Tamba Hali was outstanding least season, leading the team with 14.5 sacks but he was the lone pass rusher. Mike Vrabel is 35 years old and I’m not a believer in Andy Studebaker yet. The Chiefs tried to address this position last season with Cameron Sheffield (fifth-round pick) but he was unfortunately injured in the preseason and missed the entire season.

Nose Tackle
The rumor was that the Chiefs wanted defensive tackle Shaun Rogers, formerly of the Cleveland Browns, but he signed with New Orleans Saints. Ron Edwards is OK but he is a 10-year vet and it’s time for some young blood to fill the gap. The Chiefs need a young solid nose tackle that can take on double teams and developed with defensive ends Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson.

Wide Receiver
Dwayne Bowe made the Pro Bowl last season. He was the Chiefs only weapon on the outside. The Chiefs were lacking a No. 2 wide receiver all season. Sure, they had initial hope with Chris Chambers but he was routinely inactive. Dexter McCluster was a nice surprise for about four weeks but injuries plagued him during his rookie campaign. Dexter is more of a slot receiver anyways. The truth is that “The D-Bo Show” needs a sidekick.

Guard/Center
The interior of the offensive line is old. Casey Wiegmann and Brian Waters could use some depth behind them. They need more strength on the inside to clear space for Jamaal Charles. Jon Asamoah, looks to be the real deal when his time comes be he isn’t enough. I expect them to pick a center before a guard.

Inside Linebacker
Derrick Johnson finally played to his potential which was a welcomed surprise. However, Javon Belcher was only average and backups Corey Mays and Demorrio Williams were only effective on special teams. Remember when the Chiefs drafted Tyson Jackson over Aaron Curry out of Wake Forest? I think about it all the time.

Offensive Tackle
Branden Albert is developing rather slowly and Barry Richardson was owned by Terrell Suggs in the playoffs. They have two important questions to address. Should they draft a left tackle and move Albert to the right side? Or should they take a right tackle and hope for Alberts true potential? It’s time for the Chiefs to figure this situation out. If the Chiefs want an effective Matt Cassel then they need to establish more time for him in the pocket.

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-- ANTHONY CARELLA
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