Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
JOHN CLAYTON QB RANKING (22): Matt Cassel struggled in his first season with the Chiefs, but an improved supporting cast offers hope for the sixth-year quarterback in 2010.
Expert Picks (Consensus: 3rd)
The Chiefs finished fourth in the AFC West last season with a 4-12 record. For more Chiefs coverage, visit: Bill Williamson's AFC West blog … on Twitter | Clubhouse | More predictions
| ANALYST | PREDICTION |
|---|---|
 BillWilliamson ESPN.com |
DIVISION FINISH: 3 This offense has a chance to be much improved. The Chiefs are slowly building a decent team. The only thing that worries me is the front seven on defense. If it struggles again, it could be a long season. |
 JohnClayton ESPN.com |
DIVISION FINISH: 4 The Chiefs are trying to build a winning franchise the right way, so they may improve only a game or two from their 4-12 2009 season. Too bad they couldn't improve the roster as rapidly as they improved the coaching staff with Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weis.
|
 AdamSchefter ESPN |
DIVISION FINISH: 4 Scott Pioli and Todd Haley faced a monumental task when they took over, and they now are on their way to restoring and rebuilding this franchise. |
 MattWilliamson Scouts Inc. |
DIVISION FINISH: 2 The Chiefs will improve dramatically this year -- on offense. It's imperative that the young D-line steps up, but there have been very few signs to say that's a certainty. I'm excited about the secondary and Tamba Hali, but this defense is a long way away. |
 SethWickersham ESPN The Magazine |
DIVISION FINISH: 2 The Chiefs have just enough talent to make the Chargers sweat. But they'll have to clear the first five games (San Diego, Cleveland, San Francisco, Indianapolis, Houston) with at least a 2-3 record. Iffy. |
Scouts Inc.'s Fabulous Five
Scouts Inc. has evaluated and graded more than 2,500 NFL players heading into the season, giving Insiders a leg up on the competition with exclusive grades and scouting reports. 
| TOP FIVE PLAYERS | ANALYSIS |
|---|---|
 1. Tamba HaliLinebacker 6-3 | 275 |
(Grade: 81) He is stronger against the run than he is when dropping into space for pass coverage. He can step up and take on lead blockers and does a good job of using his hands to control and shed blocks. |
 2. Brandon FlowersCornerback 5-9 | 187 |
(81) He is slightly undersized but plays with a chip on his shoulder and thinks he's a big corner. He has good ball skills and excellent leaping ability when he needs to compete with bigger receivers. |
 3. Jamaal CharlesRunning back 5-11 | 199 |
(78) He is slightly undersized and is more effective running outside the tackles or in space. He does a good job of running behind his pads but lacks the size and power to move piles or break tackles on a consistent basis. |
 4. Brian WatersGuard 6-3 | 320 |
(78) He has strong, heavy hands that can shock opponents and control their pads to steer them by the pocket. He plays with a consistent motor and will finish blocks when possible. |
 5. Dustin ColquittPunter 6-3 | 210 |
(76) He can kill the ball inside the 20 and gets the kind of hang time that allows coverage to get downfield and prevent the big return. |
| Grading scale: Elite (90-100), outstanding (80-89), solid starter (75-79), good starter (70-74) | |
Draft Class Watch
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Eric Berry: Instant starter at safety.
Summary: If the Chiefs, who have won a total of 10 games the past three seasons, turn around their program and become a winning team in the next few years, it will be because of this class. Coach Todd Haley, who is not big on public attaboys, is really thrilled about this class. He thinks that several rookies will make a quick impact. The Chiefs took several players who had dynamic college careers, starting with their first three picks: safety Eric Berry, running back/receiver Dexter McCluster and cornerback/returner Javier Arenas.
What to expect: The rookies are going to play a lot in 2010. Berry is an instant starter at safety and he could easily be joined in the starting lineup by safety Kendrick Lewis, a fifth-round pick. McCluster is going to be on the field often at both running back and receiver. If he can stay healthy, McCluster could be one of the more fun players to watch in the NFL. Arenas should be the nickel cornerback and return man. He can be special in the return game. Tight end Tony Moeaki may not remind people of the great Tony Gonzalez right away, but he will make his presence felt in the passing game immediately.
Class MVP: While McCluster is going to be exciting, Berry is going to be a star right away. He has all the tools and he looks like the NFL's next dominant safety. He will make the Kansas City defense better immediately. He is smart, tough and a big-time playmaker. He was a terrific pick at No. 5.
-- Bill Williamson, ESPN.com
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