One thing was obvious last season for the Kansas City Chiefs: They need help at every position.
Chiefs talent evaluators camped out at the NFL combine are probably not missing many drills at any position to help weigh and balance what to do with the fifth overall pick in a deep draft.
This summer will define the near future for Kansas City. With the hiring of Charlie Weis as offensive coordinator, the Chiefs appear to be committed to building offense. So don?t be surprised if the bulk of the off-season is spent obtaining offensive weapons.
The No. 1 thing the Chiefs need to do is protect quarterback Matt Cassel, so it makes the most sense to use their first pick on an offensive lineman. There are two very good offensive tackles projected in the top 10 of the NFL draft: Anthony Davis from Rutgers and Russell Okung from Oklahoma State.
After drafting defensive ends Tyson Jackson and Glenn Dorsey in the first round of the past two drafts, the Chiefs need to rebuild the offensive line but also need help at wide receiver. The Chiefs should be able to pick up a solid receiver in a subsequent round.
Two wideouts who should be the most attractive to the Chiefs in the subsequent rounds are Dezmon Briscoe from Kansas and Denario Alexander from Missouri. Briscoe could still be available for the Chiefs in the second round, ranked as the No. 4 wide receiver and the 45th overall prospect.
Alexander will still be available later in the draft. He is not highly ranked but had an excellent college career and played a standout game (233 yards on 15 catches) in Arrowhead in the 2009 Border War. Alexander caught 113 passes for 1,781 yards and 14 touchdowns during the 2009 season.
Both players have experience at Arrowhead and would attract Missouri and Kansas fans to Chiefs games.
The draft is not the only source for rebuilding the Chiefs. Free agency and trades are other options for Kansas City.
Why not spend some money on veteran free agents who would not only give the Chiefs instant weapons but could mentor young players? How much could Jamal Charles benefit from sharing time in the backfield with LaDainian Tomlinson or Brian Westbrook? How much would the defense improve rotating Richard Seymour or Jevon Kearse with Tyson Jackson and Glenn Dorsey?
Another smart option for the Chiefs is to see what they could get for Dwayne Bowe. The 2007 No. 23 pick has been a disappointment. Problems holding on to the ball and off-field troubles have made Bowe a liability.
Bowe could be traded for an experienced defensive player or offensive lineman. He wouldn?t attract a superstar trade but could help the Chiefs obtain a solid player at another position.
The next few months will undoubtedly bring about big changes in Kansas City. Look for the Chiefs to make several moves trying to build a competitive team for 2010 and beyond.
