Assumptions:

1. The Chiefs finish 10-6, make the playoffs but are bounced out of the Wild Card round. HC Andy Reid and GM Brett Veach stay on.

2. The Chiefs trade QB Alex Smith to the New York Jets for a 3rd rounder.

3. The Chiefs extend CB Terrance Mitchell 3 years, $18m ($7m guaranteed).

4. The Chiefs cut OG Jah Reid.

5. The Chiefs sign OG/C Zach Fulton for 2 years, $5m, NT Roy Miller for 3 years, $12m ($4m guaranteed), CB Phillip Gaines for 2 years, $4m, K Cairo Santos for 4 years, $11m ($4m guaranteed).

6. The Chiefs tender NT Rakeem Nunez-Roches, ILB Ramik Wilson, ILB Terrance Smith.

7. The Chiefs sign FB Anthony Sherman, TE Gavin Escobar, DE Jarvis Jenkins, DE David King to minimal deals.

8. The Chiefs let walk QB Tyler Bray, RB C.J. Spiller, WR Albert Wilson, WR De'Anthony Thomas, WR Seantavius Jones, G Mike Person, NT Bennie Logan, ILB Josh Mauga, ILB Kevin Pierre-Louis, ILB Justin March-Lillard, P Dustin Colquitt.

9. The Chiefs sign QB Drew Stanton (Cardinals).

10. The Chiefs are picking 24th, and have no compensatory picks.

2. WR Auden Tate, Florida State

Following a standout year from WR Tyreek Hill, the Chiefs realize they are going to need more complimentary weapons for young QB Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs brought on all kinds of big bodies at WR this offseason, indicating that they believe this is an area they need for an upgrade.

Well the bodies don't get much bigger than Auden Tate, a gigantic 6'5" receiver who came on like gangbusters at the end of 2016.

3 (Alex Smith). RB Kalen Ballage, Arizona State

The Chiefs taking advantage of a desperate QB market netted them a 3rd, which they can use on Ballage. Ballage is not an outstanding runner, but he's a thick RB with some wiggle and is prolific in the passing game. The Chiefs let RB CJ Spiller walk this offseason and have little hope in a future with Charcandrick West, so they needed a RB with good hands on 3rd down.

3. OLB Dorance Armstrong Jr., Kansas

One of my early favorites for a pick in the 2018 draft. The Chiefs won't have Hali for long and are soon entering into a contract dispute with Ford. So not only is OLB a position of potential need, but he'll be leverage for Ford negotiations.

Here's the awesome thing about him being in KC in 2018 -- he won't need to play, and he can just absorb our coaching for a year. He needs to get stronger, and he's going to need a Dee Ford amount of coaching.

Here's what he is, though: an insane athlete with an excellent motor and consistently gets sacks -- this is not a guy who puts up 3 or 4 sacks and then disappears. He consistently gets penetration and consistently gets sacks. He also is a willing and prolific tackler. I really like him, and I think he'd thrive in KC.

4. OT Jamarco Jones, Ohio State

With Ehinger theoretically healthy, and Zach Fulton theoretically brought back for depth, the Chiefs are a solid 7 deep at OL. They need more depth at tackle, however.

I like basically the entire Ohio State offensive line, and if Jones falls to the 4th, the Chiefs need to pounce. Like the rest of the OSU line, he's an intense run blocker and carries with him the reputation of being a hard worker and super coachable.

5. QB Anu Solomon, Baylor

I forget who on this site said so, perhaps Dane, but the Chiefs have yet to really land that mid-round QB with a good chance to go on and be a reliable #2. With Drew Stanton brought in for a year, it's time to invest at the position and let the guy hang out on 3rd string and learn for a year. Solomon is the kind of player who needs that.

We'll see how Anu plays in 2017, but he has a lot of athleticism for the position and really good improv skills when the pocket breaks down. Reid seems to like these QBs a lot and the most success he's had so far has been with Alex Smith and Pat Mahomes -- who guys who excel at those abilities.

6. WR Brandon Powell, Florida

With De'Anthony Thomas and CJ Spiller gone, the Chiefs need more talent at returner. They have also had a ton of success with small speedsters.

7 (Marcus Cooper). P Johnny Townsend, Florida
7. OLB Byron Cowart, Auburn

The Chiefs need a new punter, and Cowart is a former #1 recruit, who has disappointed but is still athletically gifted -- surely someone will take a chance on him? If he falls this far, I would.

roster:

QB: Mahomes, Stanton, Solomon
RB: Hunt, Ware, Ballage, West
FB: Sherman

WR: Hill, Conley, Tate, Chesson, Robinson, Powell
TE: Kelce, Harris, Escobar, Travis

LT: Fisher, Schwartz
LG: Ehinger, Witzmann
C: Morse, Fulton
RG: Duvarney-Tardif, Witzmann
RT: Schwartz, Jones

DE: Jones, Jenkins
NT: Miller, Nunez-Roches
DE: Bailey, Kpassagnon, King

OLB: Ford, Hali
ILB: Wilson, March-Lillard
ILB: Johnson, Eligwe, Smith
OLB: Houston, Armstrong, Cowart

CB: Peters, Mitchell, Nelson, Gaines, White
S: Berry, Parker, Sorensen, Murray, McQuay

K: Santos
P: Townsend
LS: Winchester
[Reply]