We start our last mock draft of the off-season with a plethora of trades! Get ready for a crazy ride....I've been drinking something PorkChop gave me.

Try to follow along with the madness.

The Chiefs swap with Seattle (they want to ensure they can get Kuechly). #12 and #106 for #11. Chiefs get the value of an extra 5th, but Seattle pays it to get Kuechly.

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• Chiefs trade their 2013 1st rd, 2nd rd, #107, #146, #151 and #182 to the Patriots for #31, #48, #62. (I'll explain where some of those extra picks came from below). Bellichick may have needs, but he also knows that the Chiefs 2013 1st rd and 2nd rd will be better than #31 and #62 in 2012. The AFC Champions can afford to push these picks until next year and let them ripen. I know this will be very unpopular for many, especially the "We desperately need a 1st rd QB" crowd.
• The Chiefs trade #31 and #62 to the Bengals for #21, #116, #191.
• The Chiefs trade Dwayne Bowe to the Cleveland Browns for #22, #37 and swap 4th round picks (#116*-Chiefs via Bengals for #100).
• The Chiefs trade #124 to the Eagles for Asante Samuel-#
• Chiefs trade #22 and #48 to the Cardinals for #13 and #151.
• Chiefs trade Glenn Dorsey to the Texans for #99 and #121.
• Chiefs trade #100 to the Bills for #124, #147, and #178.
• Chiefs trade 2013 7th rd pick to the Cowboys for #222.

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#12, #13, #21, #37, #44, #74, #99, #106, #121, #144, #147, #178, #191, #218, #222, #238

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#12: David DeCastro, OG

#13: Mark Barron, S

#21: Dont'a Hightower, ILB

#37: Peter Konz, C

#44: Alshon Jeffrey, WR

#74: Alameda Ta'amu, DL

#99: Josh Chapman, DL

#106: Cyrus Gray, RB

#121: Leonard Johnson, CB

#124: Asante Samuel, CB#

#144: Antonio Allen, S

#147: Marvin McNutt, WR

#178: Nate Potter, OT

#191: James Hanna, TE

#218: Vontaze Burflict, ILB

#222: Adam Gettis, OG

#238: Akiem Hicks or Frank Alexander, DL

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Depth Chart at a quick glance:

QB: Cassel, Quinn, Stanzi

RB: Charles, Hillis, Gray

WR: Baldwin, Jeffrey, Breaston, McNutt

TE: Moeaki, Boss, Hanna

OL1: Albert, DeCastro, Konz, Asamoah, Winston

OL2: Potter, Harris, Hudson, Mims

DL1: TJax, Ta'Amu, Chapman

DL2: Bailey, Hicks/Powe, Gordon/Toribio/Miller

LB1: Hali, DJ, Hightower, Houston

LB2: Studebaker, Siler, Burflict, Sheffield

CB1: Flowers, Samuel, Routt, Arenas

CB2: Johnson, Arenas, Brown, Daniels

S1: Berry, Barron

S2: Lewis, Allen

There are some out there (BAMF) who want to trade back so we can trade up and get a QB next year. I'm sorry, I just don't buy it. Cassel is going to start this season. Quinn and Stanzi should be given a look before spending first round picks on a QB. I'm not against doing it, just not right now. If Cassel brings it this year, it becomes a moot point. If he doesn't bring it, I'd like to see what Stanzi can do with two years on the bench to begin his career....and/or what Quinn can do given talent around him and an actual chance.

Thus, it will take at least two years to adequately judge whether we need to get a first round QB. If Cassel, Quinn and Stanzi all fail, fine. Draft the guy in 2014. I understand most will disagree. What can I say? I believe it is the right course.

In the meantime, we can make multiple trades and add both starters and much needed depth.

The depth chart above is just to give a glimpse of what one draft, full of multiple high round picks could do to the team. Having Kendrick Lewis and Antonio Allen as safety depth? How could you not love it? Having a starting offensive line of Albert, DeCastro, Konz, Asamoah and Winston…..how could you not love it?

With Flowers, Samuel, Routt, Johnson, Arenas, Berry and Barron, we'd have the best secondary in the NFL. Add Hali, DJ, Hightower, and Houston, and our 8 (9-10 when in nickel and dime) LBs and DBs would be, IMO, the most talented group in NFL history. How can you argue with that?

If Cassel, Quinn or Stanzi couldn't win with that team, then you know you need a first round QBOTF. And you can get him in 2014. But not until then. You can win without a franchise QB. Just ask Trent Dilfer. I'm just saying, if we add nearly every other piece we could ever need, QB can wait a year or two. Who knows, Quinn or Stanzi could be THAT guy.

This is it, folks. We're all nervous. If you're like me, your mind is set on Thursday, 6:30 PM.

What's your final draft look like?

After listening to plenty of qb talk on the combine coverage, I decided to explore the likelihood of teams and their QB situations.

Here are the teams I believe we can safely say aren't in the market for a starting QB:

New England-Brady

GreenBay- Rodgers

New Orleans- Brees

Pittsburgh- Roethlisberger

San Diego- Rivers

Atlanta- Ryan

Philadelphia- Vick

New York (NFC)- Manning

Dallas- Romo

Baltimore- Flacco

Houston- Shaub

Tampa Bay- Freeman

Detroit- Stafford

Carolina- Newton

Cincinnati- Dalton

Chicago- Cutler

Then there are the teams who are most likely not looking for a starting QB:

Minnesota- Ponder

Oakland- Palmer

San Francisco- Smith

Tennessee- Locker

Jacksonville- Gabbert

Then we have the teams that may or may not have the answer. They probably aren't looking for an upgrade, but maybe should be:

St Louis- Bradford

Arizona- Kolb

New York (AFC)- Sanchez

Buffalo- Fitzpatrick

Kansas City- Cassel

Cleveland- McCoy

Denver- Tebow

These teams are very likely looking for a new starting QB:

Indianapolis- Manning

Seattle- Jackson

Miami- Henne

Washington- Grossman

Next, let's look at the top 5 (pending) free agent options and top 5 rookie prospects at QB:

Peyton Manning. The Colts can't even see him throw until April. They can't trade him until the middle of March. But they have to pay the man a $28M roster bonus in less than 2 weeks. He's as good as gone.

Matt Flynn. The big news is that the Packers apparently aren't going to tag and trade Flynn.

Kyle Orton. He lost his job to Tebow, which may have hurt his stock. However, he was 2-1 as a Chief. He is a vet, and showed some positives with the Chiefs, despite their anemic offense.

Vince Young. Should he be on this list? Maybe, maybe not. I'm putting him on here because he actually has 31-19 record as a starter. Compared to other starting QBs in the league...

Jason Campbell. Prior to his injury, was looking like a pretty decent starting QB. He has some talent, and can compete for a starting job somewhere.

Feel free to argue the merits of these guys. I'm just trying to provide some depth for the sake of the conversation of this post.

Top 5 rookie prospects:

Andrew Luck. I won't waste your time here.

RG III. Same.

Tannehill. Moved to QB half-way through college, Tannehill needs more time to grow.

Weeden. The big knock on Weeden is his age. However, a team seeking a mature QB who should be able to step into the fire on day one may look no farther than Weeden.

Cousins. I liked what I saw out of Cousins in his bowl game, and thought he might be a nice sleeper prospect. It looks like he won't be a sleeper, however.

These are Mayock's top 5.

Without further adieu, let's head toward our mocking of these qbs and qb situations. We have 10 players and we have 11 teams that may be looking for a QB or definitely are looking for a QB: Indianapolis, St Louis, Cleveland, Washington, Miami, NYJ, Kansas City, Seattle, Arizona, Denver, and Buffalo.

* With the first pick in the NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts draft.....Andrew Luck

No explanation needed. Manning is cut, Luck is in.

* Before the beginning of the 2012 season, the Cleveland Browns trade for.....Matt Flynn

Before you think I'm crazy, there is an NBC Sports report that the Browns are attempting to do just that!

(http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/02/23/report-browns-expected-to-make-a-play-for-matt-flynn/related/)

Mike Holmgren decides he wants two first round picks and a possible franchise QB, instead of giving up at least both of those first round picks to draft a possible franchise QB.

* At the beginning of free agency, the Washington Redskins sign.....Kyle Orton

Shanahan needs to win now. RG III would need more toys. They go with the veteran QB.

* On or before March 8th, the Miami Dolphins sign.....Peyton Manning

NYJ, Miami and KC seem the most likely options. Miami makes a strong push because Miami sports are about entertainment. Manning is the big draw. Manning takes the weather and the money and moves on to a retirement community. I must admit, I'm not completely sold on this. The Jets make too much sense on both sides.

* The St Louis Rams stick with Sam Bradford, but gain some help for him by trading out of #2

But if Bradford doesn't make a leap in year three, an unsuccessful Rams team may be dreaming about Barkley....

* The New York Jets, in a surprising move, go off of my boards and make a trade with the New England Patriots for.....Ryan Mallet

Both teams grind their teeth, momentarily shelve their hatred and make the trade. Bellichick forces the Jets to give him a huge cardboard check with the traded draft picks written on it. He's latter seen clutching the check to his body, whispering "my precioussssss."

* The Kansas City Chiefs, in another surprising move, trade....................Matt Cassel to the Seattle Seahawks

Nobody sees it coming, but should. Cassel, even with his short-coming is better than Jackson. Pete Carroll, his college coach, welcomes him with wide open arms.

* The Denver Broncos sign.......Vince Young or Jason Campbell. I'm not saying they're both the same player, but they can move the ball down the field, and will give Tebow legitimate competition.

* The Arizona Cardinals........stick with Kolb

But he has to bring it in 2012, or he'll be on his way out....

* The Buffalo Bills.......keep Ryan Fitzpatrick......but also draft Weeden

Chan puts the pressure on Mr. Ivy League.

* Scott Pioli and the Kansas City Chiefs.....draft RG III and sign Josh Johnson

There are plenty of decent QBs available. It should be a fun off-season.

How do you see the QB carousal playing out?

Mock off-season:

Kansas City Free agents:

Tyler Palko, QB (restricted)

Kyle Orton, QB *

Thomas Jones, RB

Le'Ron McClain, FB

Dwayne Bowe, WR

Jereme Urban, WR

Casey Wiegmann, C

Barry Richardson, RT

Wallace Gilberry, DE

Kelly Gregg, NT

Jovan Belcher, LB (restricted)

Cory Greenwood, LB (exclusive rights)

Brandon Carr, CB

Jon McGraw, S

Ryan Succop, K (restricted)

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Re-sign:

Dwayne Bowe, WR (starter, obviously)

Le'Ron McClain, FB (should get some of Jones' carries next season).

Barry Richardson, RT (back up tackle).

Wallace Gilberry, DE (hasn't performed as expected...let's give him another year. Depth)

Kelly Gregg, NT (backup/contributor)

Jovan Belcher, LB (compete to start/depth/ST)

Cory Greenwood, LB (depth/ST)

Brandon Carr, CB (starter, obviously).

Jon McGraw, S 3rd team depth/ST)

Ryan Succop, K (starter)

Around 25% of the roster is slated for free agency as of now. There could be a lot of turnover, and talent-wise, there should be. We need more depth. That said, with a few exceptions, most of these guys should be re-signed and become second or third-team depth. Bowe and Carr are obviously starters, while Weigmann should retire and Palko and Jones should think about joining him.

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Below is a quick hit on some free agents. I'll post the full list of free agents farther down. I tried to eliminate players I thought were locks to be re-signed. I tried to include needs, depth, and talent...though Pioli probably won't consider some of the bigger names, the talent is enough to at least make him pause.

Free agent signings:

QB: Matt Flynn- Rodgers' backup. Coming in to compete with Stanzi and Cassel/Orton. Bye bye Palko.

RB: Ryan Grant/Marshawn Lynch- Thomas Jones' aging legs and bad attitude...yes, he's supposed to be a leader....are gone. Lynch can soften up a line. Grant could be a good pickup.

WR: Legedu Naanee- good blocker. Was pretty decent in SD.

TE: John Carlson- Moeaki insurance. Good, all-around TE. Gives KC two good TEs.

OG: Carl Nicks- doubt it happens, but would be a very good body to place between Branden and Rodney....

C: Nick Hardwick- wouldn't happen if we somehow landed Nicks. Solid contributor who knows the AFC West opponents. With Wiegmann retiring, this allows Hudson to start at LG, gives him time to continue to develop, or just creates competition and depth.

NT: Antonio Garay/Paul Soliai/Shaun Rogers-Gregg shouldn't start next year. We haven't really seen Powe. Maybe he'll start next season, maybe not. These guys could start or provide better depth. Both better starters and more depth are needed at multiple positions.

DE: Shaun Ellis/Igor Olshansky- solid, veteran depth.

S: Bob Sanders-bargain pickup. If he can get healthy and play at his ceiling, a great talent to couple with Berry....and Lewis isn't too shabby either, so there would be some depth....If, however, Pioli is willing to spend some money (I doubt it), he could go for a real, young talent in LaRon Landry.

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The draft:

At this point it is anyone's guess where we draft. Right now, I've seen projections around #12. With a record between 9-7 (nearly impossible) and 5-11 (quite realistic), I think it is quite realistic to expect us to draft anywhere between 5 and 15.....but closer to #5.

If we are closer to #5, RG III could be possible, but can't see Pioli going first round QB (but won't ever say never).
However, if Carr does not get re-signed or franchised, I can see Pioli drafting CB Kirkpatrick around the currently projected #12.

If we're at #5, I can see an initial trade back to the Dolphins, who are currently at #8, but are a team I currently see of improving their record and possibly moving more towards the teens, pick-wise. As of the current rankings, the QB-needy teams ahead of us are: Colts (even with Manning?), Redskins, and as previously-mentioned, the Dolphins....and if you don't think Kolb is the answer, the Cardinals are currently right ahead of us.

If Pioli isn't willing to go with one of the top 3 qbs or none are available at our pick, and if Carr does not re-sign, Kirkpatrick makes sense. If, however, Carr does re-sign, I think a possible scenario is to see a buddy trade. NE needs a solid, dependable CB. Kirkpatrick could be his guy. Therefore, I see a trade with NE, whether it be our first-rounder or a tag and trade. NE has two first round picks and two seconds...is that really a surprise? They're projected to have picks 26, 27, 53, and 59.


KC trades pick #12 (as of now), pick #44, pick #107, and Jarrad Page (NE keeps the 7th they were to send us or not...*). NE trades picks #26 and #27 (as of now), pick #53 to KC.

*there are two versions of the trade offered. The alternative includes trading pick #12, and 76 to NE. NE gives up 26, 53, 59 and a 4th in 2013.

I must say, I believe this same trade is possible for Carr if he will not sign long term, where Carr, the proven commodity is traded for the same value, replacing our first rd pick. It's possible, but not probable. Sure, having picks 12, 26, 44, 53,59 would be nice....

KC trades Glenn Dorsey to CHI for picks #71 and #87

(Rankings via draftek: http://www.drafttek.com/BigBoardPg1.asp)

Picks:
26- Ta'amu, NT Washington/ Martin, LOT Stanford
27- Adcock, ROT OK ST/ Chapman, NT/DE Alabama
53- Fleener, TE Stanford/ Poe, NT Memphis/ Lester, FS Alabama
71- Griffin III, QB Baylor/Johnson, WILB Alabama/ Nix, OG Pitt
76- Johnson, WILB Alabama/Nix, OG Pitt
87- Nix, OG Pitt/Randall, DE TX/Reynolds, OT BYU/Datko, ROT FL ST/Boykin, CB Georgia
139- Lutzenkirchen, TE Auburn/ Foles, QB AZ/
171- Nielsen, WILB Iowa
203- Thomas, S Arkansas/Johnson, CB Montana

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26- Martin, LOT Stanford/Ta'amu, NT Washington
44- Chapman, NT Alabama/Adcock, ROT OK ST/ DeCastro, OG Stanford, Konz, C Wisconsin
53- Fleener, TE Stanford/Poe, NT Memphis
59- Lester, FS Alabama
71- Griffin III, QB Baylor (ranked at 74, don't blame me!)/Johnson, WILB Alabama/ Nix, OG Pitt
87- Nix, OG Pitt/Randall, DE TX/Reynolds, OT BYU/Datko, ROT FL ST/Boykin, CB Georgia
139- Lutzenkirchen, TE Auburn/ Foles, QB AZ/
171- Nielsen, WILB Iowa
197/217- Thomas, S Arkansas/
203- Johnson, CB Montana

I will post more drafts using other rankings in the actual mock draft thread. This presents a real-life feel. Ranking prospects and doing mocks is unpredictable. After all, how many people had Powe going in the 6th? Many saw him as late first-third round. Likewise, we assuming RG III is an early first rounder. While I agree, I'm not sure how teams will value him....

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Positional breakdown:

QB: Flynn, Stanzi, Cassel/Orton/ (RG III/Foles*)

RB: Charles, Battle, McCluster, Grant/Lynch, McClain

WR: Bowe, Breaston, Baldwin, Naanee

TE: Moeaki, Carleson, O' Connell, Fleener/Lutzenkirchen

OT: Albert, Martin/Reynolds/Adcock/Datko, Richardson, Mims, Maneri

OG: Asamoah, Hudson, Lilja, Nix, Harris

OC: Hudson, Hardwick/Konz

DE: Jackson, Gordon, Olshansky, Chapman/Randall, Bailey, Gilberry

NT: Garay, Powe, Soliai/Rogers/Gregg, Ta'amu/Poe

OLB: Hali, Houston, Sheffield, Studebaker, Bair? Miller?

ILB: DJ, Siler, Belcher, Nielsen/Johnson, Williams

CB: Flowers, Carr, arenas, Brown, Daniels, Boykin/Johnson

S: Berry, Lewis, Sanders, Lester/Thomas, McGraw, Langford/Washington

K: Succop

P: Colquitt

LS: Gafford

This is about a dozen more than a 53 man roster. It is intended as a visual only. I suck too much to even try to do a real depth chart. This just gives you an idea of depth that could created in the off-season....my representation of what we kind of need to see from Pioli.

Whitlock strikes again, with his heart-warming, sob story:  shanahan crosses line with McNabb.  Never in my life have I read such garbage.  Sensational journalism at it's worst:  rampant with racism, reverse-racism, and assumptions up to his ego. 

Generally, I skip reading whitlock's crap, because it seems to be the same ol' broken record in a different cover.  This time, I was enticed by the names Shanahan and McNabb. 

I just don't understand how someone whose "journalism" prowess comes solely in the essence of creating controversy and propagating reverse-racism through a sleight-of-hand scream of racism has become a "respected" writer.

Let me digress.  If one reads Whitlock's articles beginning with all the quotes he uses as "evidence" for his prejudiced, racist spewing, one notices that the quotes are just everyday coach speak for everyday coach things....  In essence, the everyday Joe wouldn't make the connections that Whitlock does.  Not because the everyday Joe is shallow, but because the everyday Joe isn't a racist, attention-seeking sensationalist.

Now perhaps you may be saying, "yeah, yeah.  everybody recognizes that Whitlock is ridiculous.  we just ignore him."  If so, good for you.  But not everyone out there realizes that Whitlock is the Jerry Springer of columnists.

Also, it raises the question of how Whitlock can keep his job, free of fear, while his white counterparts would be torn apart and banished from the mainstream for their presuppositions or racially-loaded terms.

If you haven't read the article, let me provide a quote.

It’s the good-old-boys network taken to the extreme.

In the day where calling the all-Black Rutgers women's basketball team a "bunch of nappy-headed hoes" gets you fired and labeled a racist, Whitlock apparently gets to pollute the world of racism, free of consequences.

And Whitlock knows it.  He acknowledges how he sounds, all the while denying his racism...

Stop. Quit whining. I’m not accusing Shanahan of bigotry. I’m not playing the race card.

This comes right after he says:

Before the week is over, I fully expect Shanahan to suggest that fried-chicken grease prevented McNabb from properly gripping the football.

Two thoughts on this statement:

1)  Whitlock is propitiating steroetypes.

2)  He is flat-out calling Shanahan a racist without blatantly saying the word 'racist.'

Really, this is a sad story.  In the end, Whitlock propagates his racist thoughts, which seemingly dissipate throughout his very existence.

All for the sake of "standing up" for his 'favorite current player.'

Thanks for publishing your work of fantasy conspiracy, Whitlock.  Nothing like reading too much into something with a Dan Brown-esque flair. 

If you take the time to read this, you'll be taken "between the lines" of Shanahan's reasons for pulling McNabb:

McNabb didn't know the terminology of the Redskins' two-minute drill yet, and wasn't in good enough shape to propel the offense with the upbeat tempo needed for the two-minute drill.

Oh, and then there's a tied-in storyline about Mike propelling his son's career at Donovan's expense....

The only thing Whitlock didn't fully have an answer for is why a racist Shanahan would trade for McNabb, and why, if McNabb is as good as Whitlock thinks he is, Reid would trade McNabb to a Division Rival...

I like McNabb, and have always thought he got a bad deal in Philly, but who doesn't get a bad deal in Philly?

Really, the one thing I can agree with Whitlock on:  why the hell did the Redskins workout JaMarcus Russell?  It just doesn't make much sense, other than Washington apparently having a bad offensive line. Still, there just aren't facts there for Whitlock's dream.

I'm jobless, waiting for school to start, and we only have antenna. All of that said to explain that nothing was on tv tonight, so I found myself watching the 1st half of the Patriots & Falcons game.

I didn't break down the game, but I did decide I would pay attention to some things since the Falcons were our first preseason opponent, last weekend. I wanted to pay particular attention to how well Atlanta's run offense fared against New England's defense, and use that somewhat as a gauge of our defense. Maybe I'm bored, or maybe I'm just really ready for Chiefs football. Anyway, some observations:

While Atlanta seemed to have little success running it behind the tackles and outside the tackles, they seemed to pretty much have their way running it up the middle. This makes me feel better about our defensive performance last week.

Also, I was prepared to say that we really need the presence of someone with hands, like Gonzalez, and then he dropped a pass he should have caught. Still, I couldn't help but notice the confidence and Swagger?? that both offenses displayed on the field; something that hasn't developed in KC yet.

New England's offensive line seemed to have their hands full with Atlanta's defensive line, especially in pass situations. The kickers for both teams were missing field goals...shorter ones than Ryan's. Is there something about Atlanta's dome?

If our offense is anything like New England's, it will be exciting, but somewhat boring (scheme-wise). But most importantly, it will be effective.

In the first couple quarters, the Patriots were running a three-rb rotation. They take advantage of role-players. Will Thomas Jones become our Faulk?

The broadcasters (Joe Buck and Troy Aikman) mentioned that with the rules changes and the move of the official from the defensive position, there would probably be more defensive holding; coaches would probably be all over that and coaching it up. If so, will this help our defense more than it could hurt our offense??

Oh, for what it is worth, missed field goal and all, the Falcons scored 3 points against New England in the first half. New England's offense fared considerably better than ours.

I feel somewhat better about our run defense seeing Atlanta basically duplicate their early success running up the middle against new england. Hopefully the team will continue to improve all the way around. All in all, the biggest difference between the two games would have to be the confidence....or the Old Spice Swagger.

We will continue to get a better idea of this team, what guys can do and can't do, against the Bucs. But for now, here is at least a comparison of how a playoff team compared facing a common preseason foe.