LNBS: Our Biggest Offensive Need After Today?

[BossChief]

Well, so far in Free agency we have added a handful of promising players to the roster at positions of need. There is still lots of work to do if they are going to field a team that can win some playoff games, but I see them going in the right direction.

After today, Alex Smiths next 2 years salaries become fully guaranteed so I'm not gonna go down that road here.

Charles, Sherman, Thomas and Davis round out one of the best RB corps in the league. I don't see any need here. At least not immediate need.

At WR, we signed Maclin and we have an emerging talent in Wilson that are quality guys, but after that I don't see a lot. Maclin has the tools to be a #1 guy and I see Wilson as a power/speed slot receiver. We don't run a lot of 4wr sets so in terms of need, I only see a need for a solid 2. I think we can "get by" with a guy like Denarius Moore, Hakeem Nicks or Mike Williams (all of which have displayed big time ability in the past and are still young)...but this is an amazing WR class that will give us options to fill the WR spots in every round. I see this as a strong need...but with plenty of options both in FA and the draft.

Right tackle is a spot we really have 3 guys on 1 year prove it type deals or the last year of their rookie contract. Stephenson, Allen and Derrick Sherrod. I'm HOPING one of these guys steps up and think one will (lots of motivation/competition) but I still view this spot as a need.

Right guard has a battle of Fulton (who I thought was much better towards the end of the year) and the newly signed Fanaika. I believe in having an
OL that is good enough to be able to help everyone else do their jobs effectively, but not to make the mistake of overpaying to do so. I think these 2 are good enough to call RG good to go, but I'm sure others might disagree and have this higher on their list.

Center is a position that is extremely thin, but IMO we already have a starter in place that can get the job done. Kush moves very well and has improved his core strength as well as his upper body strength. He will be one of the better moving centers out there and hopefully will have the strength to handle the bull rush by bigger linemen effectively. Even if Kush pans out as the starter (Dorsey said at the combine the Kush is ready to play) he's the only center we have, so depth is absolutely a need.

Left guard is set with Grubbs and Allen or Tardiff backing him up. No need IMO.

Left tackle is probably a need, but only as depth. Fishers salary is guaranteed so he's the starting left tackle. We have no depth there in case of injury. Maybe Stephenson or Allen can play there in a pinch, but it would be wise to hedge the Fisher bet with drafting a guy that can play there for a long stretch if Fishers injury problems persist.

TE Kelce is a manimal. Guy graded out as the best blocking TE in the NFL while providing a valuable and dependable receiving option. He's all we have, though and we need 3. That's a lot of need because we run the majority of our offense out of multiple tight end sets. We also have a QB that is most comfortable throwing to the tight ends. That means the need value goes way up. Gotta wonder what it would take to get Clay. Adding him would really give the offense another gear.

I'd say our biggest need is close between WR/TE because we simply don't have enough players under contract to go into next year in those positions. Lots of room to make some serious splashes.

I just don't see a TE except Maxx that's worth a first at all and it's a reach to draft him at 18.

Lots of high end receivers in this draft. Sure would be nice to draft a couple of em. My preference is DGB because I'm a believer in his potential.

Let's say we trade down and draft DGB and follow it up with Maxx in the second...wowzers.

What do you guys see as our biggest need on offense?

[RealSNR]

Wait, when did we restructure Alex Smith's contract? I read of no such thing taking place

[KC native]

QB is the only acceptable answer

[CoMoChief]

CB or S is prob the more logical choice.

But I would still prefer DGB in the first rd and Lockett in the 3rd.

DGB
Maclin
Wilson
Lockett
Rogers
Hemingway (fart noise)

[Easy 6]

Just make sure he's a black guy.

[DaneMcCloud]

I wouldn't touch DGB with a 1st, 2nd or 3rd. There are far too many reliable options that are plug and play. The guy hasn't played football in 2 years and is by all accounts, very raw.

Wide receiver, right tackle, tight end, safety, inside linebacker and corner back are biggest priorities.

Choose the BPA amongst those positions and roll.

[Reerun_KC]

HC OC and QB in the order.

[Jim Lahey]

Another TE but not Maxx Williams. Walford would be a solid receiving TE in our offense. He had a good senior bowl week also.

[kccrow]

If the Chiefs can add a legitimate starter at Right Tackle and a legitimate #2 Wide Receiver, then that offense will come leaps and bounds. I think that if they can address those two areas, then they can legitimately contend for the division. A good offensive line with two receivers that can threaten a defense will make teams respect them much more and it should make Alex better. They then need to add depth in some key areas, especially on defense.

Here's my breakdown of the team's needs going forward from where we are:

1. Right Tackle

I know people in Chiefs' land like the prospects of Jeff Allen, Derrek Sherrod, and Donald Stephenson, but there isn't a one of them I'd feel comfortable trotting out as the starter at right tackle. I'm confident the Chiefs will address this position in the top 3 rounds of the draft and I'm fully expecting it to be in round 1 with either Flowers or Humphries, whichever one is left on the board. No matter what, the Chiefs really need a legitimate starter here and I'd prefer one with the skill set to at least push Fisher for the left tackle job.

2. Wide Receiver #2

Maclin is obviously the #1, but there is much unproven after that and half of that list are guys that either belong in the slot or as a #4/5 gimmick player that can contribute on special teams.The Chiefs don't have a #2 WR on the roster yet, so they have to get a #2 in the top 3 rounds.

3. Inside Linebacker

While Derrick Johnson, from all accounts, is rehabbing well, there is not guarantee he'll be anywhere near as effective as he once was and even then he's getting up there in years and is in a contract year. Josh Mauga was retained, but isn't exactly a world beater, and depth is severely lacking after that. The Chiefs need to actually start drafting some players here, they've did nothing but bring in castoffs and UDFAs for years.

4. Safety

Tyvon Branch has to prove he's still worth anything, and both he and Abdullah are here for 2015 before becoming aging free agents. The Chiefs need the future and depth here. KC would be very wise to bring Kurt Coleman back into the fold and draft at least one more player here.

5. Defensive End

Allen Bailey getting a deal done last season was good for KC, so we know he's set. Jaye Howard is fine opposite Bailey, but he's going into the final year of his 3 year contract. After those two, the Chiefs have very little in terms of proven depth and what appears to be more camp fodder than solutions. Jerel Worthy has done nothing but bounce on and off the practice squad, Nick Williams is a 7th round pick of the Steelers in 2013 that hasn't proven anything, Mike Catapano is a 7th round pick that hasn't proven anything, and 28-year old Vaughn Martin had one serviceable year in San Diego in 2011 but has been nothing since. To say this position could use another body that can potentially be a starter in 2016 would be an understatement. I don't think you can go into the season with this much unknown in terms of depth.

6. Nose Tackle

The Chiefs loss of depth at defensive end (Vickerson, DeVito, Walker) also transfers over to nose tackle because now there is nobody to slide over to spell Poe. The Chiefs brought in Hebron Fangupo, but he's nothing more than another Steelers castaway that didn't pan out. The Chiefs need a good rotational player to add here. Kenrick Ellis of the Jets would be a great addition to be a rotational NT/DE.

7. Cornerback

Sean Smith played incredibly well last year but is in a contract year. Jamell Fleming and Phillip Gaines flashed ability last year, especially Gaines. Fleming is also in a contract year. The Chiefs really need to improve the depth behind these three and prepare for possible departures of Smith and Fleming.

8. Tight End

With the release of Anthony Fasano, the Chiefs lack a secondary threat at the position. Harris will be back but he didn't look developed enough to be a reliable option just yet as the #2. I expect the Chiefs to pick up or draft a solid combination tight end that can run block well and catch the occasional pass.

9. Center

The Chiefs very much need to add a backup center and one that could at least compete with Kush for the starting position. I expect a late round pick, much like Kush, that the Chiefs can develop here.

10. Offensive Guard

The additions of Grubbs and Fanaika really lowered this need, but the Chiefs could still stand to add at least one more quality backup. A third day pick at the position is now more likely.

[Discuss Thrower]

If you're looking from an outsider perspective it's probably QB, WR2, OT and WR3 in that likely order.

But since Reid is married to Alex it's WR2, RT, G/C that can be a starter at either spot and TE2.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

If you're looking from an outsider perspective it's probably QB, WR2, OT and WR3 in that likely order.

But since Reid is married to Alex it's WR2, RT, G/C that can be a starter at either spot and TE2.

A Franchise QB will not be available at #18. If you disagree, please tell us the identity of such player.

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

A Franchise QB will not be available at #18. If you disagree, please tell us the identity of such player.

Never said a QB was likely to be available in the draft. I'm saying just about anyone who isn't a die hard Chiefs homer or creepy obsessed Alex Smith fan will say that the Chiefs could be a powerful offense with a different guy under center.

[Saccopoo]

1. WR
2. CB
3. MLB
4. C
5. DE
6. S
7. TE
8. OT
9. OLB
10. NT
11. OG
12. RB
13. QB
14. K
15. P
16. FB

[kcchiefsus]

Originally Posted by kccrow

If the Chiefs can add a legitimate starter at Right Tackle and a legitimate #2 Wide Receiver, then that offense will come leaps and bounds. I think that if they can address those two areas, then they can legitimately contend for the division. A good offensive line with two receivers that can threaten a defense will make teams respect them much more and it should make Alex better. They then need to add depth in some key areas, especially on defense.

Here's my breakdown of the team's needs going forward from where we are:

1. Right Tackle

I know people in Chiefs' land like the prospects of Jeff Allen, Derrek Sherrod, and Donald Stephenson, but there isn't a one of them I'd feel comfortable trotting out as the starter at right tackle. I'm confident the Chiefs will address this position in the top 3 rounds of the draft and I'm fully expecting it to be in round 1 with either Flowers or Humphries, whichever one is left on the board. No matter what, the Chiefs really need a legitimate starter here and I'd prefer one with the skill set to at least push Fisher for the left tackle job.

2. Wide Receiver #2

Maclin is obviously the #1, but there is much unproven after that and half of that list are guys that either belong in the slot or as a #4/5 gimmick player that can contribute on special teams.The Chiefs don't have a #2 WR on the roster yet, so they have to get a #2 in the top 3 rounds.

3. Inside Linebacker

While Derrick Johnson, from all accounts, is rehabbing well, there is not guarantee he'll be anywhere near as effective as he once was and even then he's getting up there in years and is in a contract year. Josh Mauga was retained, but isn't exactly a world beater, and depth is severely lacking after that. The Chiefs need to actually start drafting some players here, they've did nothing but bring in castoffs and UDFAs for years.

4. Safety

Tyvon Branch has to prove he's still worth anything, and both he and Abdullah are here for 2015 before becoming aging free agents. The Chiefs need the future and depth here. KC would be very wise to bring Kurt Coleman back into the fold and draft at least one more player here.

5. Defensive End

Allen Bailey getting a deal done last season was good for KC, so we know he's set. Jaye Howard is fine opposite Bailey, but he's going into the final year of his 3 year contract. After those two, the Chiefs have very little in terms of proven depth and what appears to be more camp fodder than solutions. Jerel Worthy has done nothing but bounce on and off the practice squad, Nick Williams is a 7th round pick of the Steelers in 2013 that hasn't proven anything, Mike Catapano is a 7th round pick that hasn't proven anything, and 28-year old Vaughn Martin had one serviceable year in San Diego in 2011 but has been nothing since. To say this position could use another body that can potentially be a starter in 2016 would be an understatement. I don't think you can go into the season with this much unknown in terms of depth.

6. Nose Tackle

The Chiefs loss of depth at defensive end (Vickerson, DeVito, Walker) also transfers over to nose tackle because now there is nobody to slide over to spell Poe. The Chiefs brought in Hebron Fangupo, but he's nothing more than another Steelers castaway that didn't pan out. The Chiefs need a good rotational player to add here. Kenrick Ellis of the Jets would be a great addition to be a rotational NT/DE.

7. Cornerback

Sean Smith played incredibly well last year but is in a contract year. Jamell Fleming and Phillip Gaines flashed ability last year, especially Gaines. Fleming is also in a contract year. The Chiefs really need to improve the depth behind these three and prepare for possible departures of Smith and Fleming.

8. Tight End

With the release of Anthony Fasano, the Chiefs lack a secondary threat at the position. Harris will be back but he didn't look developed enough to be a reliable option just yet as the #2. I expect the Chiefs to pick up or draft a solid combination tight end that can run block well and catch the occasional pass.

9. Center

The Chiefs very much need to add a backup center and one that could at least compete with Kush for the starting position. I expect a late round pick, much like Kush, that the Chiefs can develop here.

10. Offensive Guard

The additions of Grubbs and Fanaika really lowered this need, but the Chiefs could still stand to add at least one more quality backup. A third day pick at the position is now more likely.

We didn't release Devito.

[Hoover]

Originally Posted by kcchiefsus

We didn't release Devito.

And isn't he a DE?