Yeah, but the franchise isn't doing bad at DB either with Peters, Gaines, Parker and Abdullah.

For all the shit that Sutton gets around here, the talent on the defense largely seems to play up. And we're not that far removed from having Tyson Jackson as the lynchpin of our DL.

I think the DL can do a lot to make everyone else look better. The Secondary can help a little in that regard, but not as much. If it came down to Smith or Howard (and it might), it's a tough call but if you lose DeVito and Howard next year, you're just as thin on the DL as you are if you lose Smith.

It's really 1A and 1B with those two guys. And where I think Gaines might be able to do the job as the #2 CB next season, I really don't see another asset on the DL that can stand in for Howard if we lose him.

Smith may be more important than Howard but Howard may be more difficult to replace. It's a tough call. In the end, I have more faith that we can pay Howard and he'll come near his contract year production than I do that we can pay Smith. Moreover, I think the market will support an even more out of whack contract for Smith than it would for Howard. So I'd focus my efforts on Howard at this point.

I think they can keep Devito, he seems to want to be here until he hangs it up.

I think Sean Smith is gone. I don't see how they bring him back financially and frankly, they should probably look for the next Sean Smith at CB anyway in the FA market or draft.

The guy that scares me a little leaving is Berry.

I can't see Berry leaving. I think he likes it here, especially after everything the team and executive staff have done for him.

Thanks for some movement in this discussion guys. On Jaye Howard.... In my original offseason plan, I put him at 4 years, 34 million with 13 guaranteed and I got lit up that it was WAY too high and that he should be at what Bailey got. A month later, I'm getting lit up that putting him at Bailey's contract is too low and that he should be in the 4 year 32-36 million range. So, guys, which is it? I might just go with my original estimate given contract growth over time, and at a minimum you'll see 4 years, 30 million in the next version of this write-up.

On DJ, I put him in line with the tail end of Daryl Smith's contract in terms of salary. If DJ wants 6 million per, I'm not sure I take that pill. Maybe a meet in the middle type of deal at 2 years, 10 million with 6 in the first year but even then its alot to pay for a 33 year old. Even if DJ looks good in KC, he is beginning to slow down and he's noticeably smaller doing so. For a linebacker that relies on his speed, it starts to get worrisome.

You're forgetting that you are going to tie up between 6 and 7 million in your draft class and that you want to retain a couple million for wiggle room to pick a guy up in season if need be. Wave goodbye to your 9.693 million.

I've never believed in the BPA only approach. In general, I believe in the BPA in a position of need or near future need (1 year forward). It also is the theory that realistically gets practiced in the NFL. Let's say I had Joe Thomas and Andre Smith as bookend tackles, and I had both locked up for the next 3 seasons, then I probably wouldn't take a tackle in round 1 even if that was the best player on my board. I would, however, try to trade out of that spot to a team that does need a tackle right now.

Example this year:
So, while backup pass rusher is a need, a starting pass rusher doesn't look to be an immediate need. That being said, it is doubtful I'd pick a pass rusher in rounds 1 or 2.

I do otherwise agree with you that the Chiefs need to take advantage of the window of having some star players at some positions and begin filling out the rest of the roster adequately.

We can agree on the BPA at a position of need but only to an extent.

IMO, there are several factors that come into play. For the purposes of this discussion we'll use FA and the draft to address the needs of the team. Obviously, there are years where one position is completely depleted. Thereby making that position a position of dire need. What matrix exists that determines which position on the team is of more value than the others (aside from QB of course)?

If a position group is weak in the draft then I would try to address it in FA (I know I am stating the obvious). It takes a GM that is very much up to speed on the upcoming draft class to be aggressive in FA at those positions.

Should the team fail to address the position in FA then that wouldn't necessarily mean addressing it with the first or second round pick is the best option if there is a higher impact player available at a position of lesser need.

So, in essence, I would take the BPA at a position of need, it just may not be the position that is the highest need if that position group is weak.

I know. I'm babbling.

Not babbling. This makes perfect sense and I entirely agree with you.

If they let hali, devito, Sean smith walk, cut Charles they could make a run at Wilkerson

Scooby Wright declared. Should think about picking him up for ILB.

In the third?

I've started work on plan 3 after this Jah Reid signing and also finding out the contract details of the Bray extension. I will say, their will be a DB in round 1, but you gotta wait for the finished product. :D

I just hope Dorsey can find another impact player in Round 1 much like he did with Peters this season. I know, we had to wait how many years to finally see the team get a solid first round talent? Hopefully he can follow that pick up with another player of that caliber.

Is it coincidence that Houston and Peters both had character issues leading up to the draft but have both performed at such a high level? Would anyone have been upset had KC taken Houston with a 1st rounder in that draft? I realize that Houston was taken by a previous regime but the point I'm trying to make is that if a player with character concerns is properly vetted then they can be a leader on your team. For every player like Houston or Peters there is a Jamarcus Russell or a Ryan Leaf. So let's hope Dorsey has found a way to weed out the ones that don't deserve a place on the Chiefs.

Another impact DB in Round 1 would be a great pick if we lose Sean Smith!

If he is still available. Need to replace DJ at some point.

Really like your overall plan a lot but would change just a few things IMO.

at #3 I'd go Rashard Higgins WR - big upgrade potential over Wilson, Hammond and Avant IMO

So instead of resigning Hammond and signing a wr in FA I'd look for ILB help - 2nd tier type - Have not looked up who is available yet and maybe nobody worth while?