NFL Draft Info - Kansas City Chiefs

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 2010 FREE AGENCY

Looking at the 2010 Free Agency Class is as difficult as it has ever been.  First, it is looking more and more like an uncapped year will take place.  This makes it even harder on the players.  Some who were to be free agents aren’t; some will become restricted.  It changes things in many aspects.  Also, when looking at the free agents, I have no idea who will and will not be hit with the Franchise or Transition tags.  Second, there is no list, nor should there be, of players who may be cut by their current teams.  With those combined, it is hard to make an accurate prediction.  Therefore, I will do my best and offer some guesses as to what may transpire for the Kansas City Chiefs.  So with that disclaimer being made, I am going to take a look at the Kansas City Chiefs 2010 needs and what they may go after in Free Agency.

Prior to addressing the players the Chiefs should look at, I would like to address two things.  First, what their needs are; second, what players of their own they should re-sign.  On the offensive side of the ball, the Chiefs need a backup running back, a play-making wide receiver, a solid tight end and a left tackle.  A left tackle immediately upgrades nearly every position on the offensive line.  Albert moves to left guard, Waters to center and Niswanger to right guard.  This also would give the Chiefs availability in the 2010 draft, as far as offensive line, to draft the best lineman available.  On the defensive side of the ball, a nose tackle, linebackers, a ball-hawking safety and possibly another cornerback to move Carr into the nickel.  The Chiefs need to re-sign Croyle, Chambers, Derrick Johnson, Mays, Niswanger, O’Callaghan, Vrabel and Page.

I think the Chiefs have some options.  While Julius Peppers might be available, I think he would be a wrong fit for the Chiefs and what they are trying to build.  I do, however, think the Chiefs should add Ryan Pickett from the Green Bay Packers.  He could be a solid nose tackle and would help the d-line.  I think some reasonable trades could be available in Anthony Fasano and Matt Light.  Light seems to have been replaced in New England with Vollmer filling in nicely.  Fasano seems to catch the ball well and can block, as he has proven, for the Dolphins.  The player, I think, that the Chiefs should go out of their way to get is Joshua Cribbs.  No, he is not a free agent or even a restricted free agent.  Given his unhappiness with the Browns and their new management, he could be available if the right trade was struck.  He immediately gives the Chiefs their Wes Welker and more.  He gives the Chiefs the possibility of the Wildcat, improves special teams, and is perfect for the slot.  With Bowe, Chambers, and Cribbs the Chiefs receiving core could see a vast improvement over last year.  What the Chiefs would have to give in any of these trades would be the question.  I don’t begin to assume what each player’s value is or what their respective teams would want, just some thoughts and options.  Of the actual free agents here is a brief list of players the Chiefs should look at, if the price is right:  Ben Watson, Chad Clifton, Kevin Mawae (could be a stop-gap until a productive rookie can fill in), Kyle Vanden Bosch, Richard Seymour, Adewale Ogunleye, Vince Wilfork, Casey Hampton, Ryan Pickett, Karlos Dansby, Larry Foote, Chike Okeafor, Leigh Bodden and Nick Harper.  I know some of these players are going to be looking for a big contract, but it never hurts to talk to a player and see where their head is at.  Possibly, Pioli can get a deal on some of his former Patriots.  Maybe someone wants to play for Haley and will take less money.  While doubtful, the Chiefs need to add some veteran leadership while continuing their youth makeover.  The more gaps the Chiefs fill with a free agent, the more options they have going into the 2010 NFL Draft.  Given the extent of the Chiefs’ needs and the struggles of the previous two years, they will need to show their fan base some improvement or the new regime is going to be hearing it on Sundays in Arrowhead.

Personally, I feel the Chiefs need to do what it takes to get Josh Cribbs from Cleveland.  He is a star in the making and would immediately give help to Cassel, Charles, Bowe and Chambers, not to mention the special teams and offensive formations that give Defensive Coordinators headaches.  While the price may be steep at this point, there is no doubt in my mind that he is more valuable than any other receiver available or possibly available this year, including Anquan Boldin.  I don’t include Brandon Marshall in this list because theoretically he is unavailable to the Chiefs, assuming that the Broncos would not trade him to a division rival.

This could be the biggest off-season of the Chiefs’ franchise.  It, in itself, will determine where the Chiefs will be over the next five or so years.  If they draft bad and pick up ineffective players, it will cost them this year and the next.  The Chiefs have some pieces and seemed to build an identity at the end of the year.  Will it help them?  Can they take a step forward this year?  It starts in Free Agency.