National Football League
Offseason review: Kansas City Chiefs
National Football League

Offseason review: Kansas City Chiefs

Published Jun. 21, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

Pre-draft needs

ORT, WR, OLB, C, NT, DE, CB

Draft class

Round 1: Jon Baldwin, WR
Round 2: Rodney Hudson, C
Round 3: Justin Houston, LB
Round 3: Allen Bailey, DE
Round 4: Jalil Brown, CB
Round 5: Ricky Stanzi, QB
Round 5: Gabe Miller, OLB
Round 6: Jerrell Powe, DT
Round 7: Shane Bannon, FB

ADVERTISEMENT

Potential free agents of note

Terrance Copper, WR
Casey Wiegmann, C
Barry Richardson, ORT
Ron Edwards, DT
Wallace Gilberry, DE
Tamba Hali, OLB
Mike Vrabel, OLB
Brandon Carr, CB
Jon McGraw, FS

 

Post-draft needs

ORT, OLB, WR (depth), NT, DE (depth), CB (depth), FS (depth)

Analysis

The Chiefs were one of the NFL’s biggest surprises during the 2010 regular season, but they got blown out at home against the visiting Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the playoffs.

Two issues stood out in that game that carried over from the regular season — they lacked enough firepower in the passing game and they needed to beef up their pass rush on defense.

In order to help their passing game, the Chiefs selected wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin in the first round. Baldwin has terrific size and is a pretty fluid receiver. His addition could spell the end of veteran wide receiver Chris Chambers’ tenure with the team.

Chambers signed a three-year, $13 million deal in March of 2010, which included $5.9 million guaranteed, a source confirmed to FOXSports.com. The guaranteed money came in the form of a $4 million roster bonus in the first year of the deal and $1.9 million in base salary for the 2010 season. So Chambers was practically guaranteed to stay on the roster last season despite his reduction in playing time. Chambers was a healthy inactive for the Baltimore game and he only participated in 481 out of the 1103 offensive snaps last season. He’s listed with a base salary of $2.9 million for 2011 along with a $500,000 roster bonus.

With veteran Casey Wiegmann turning 38 in July and unsigned, the Chiefs addressed the center position with second-round pick Rodney Hudson. The interior lineman played left guard at Florida State, but will transition to center with the Chiefs. Hudson, who some NFL scouts felt needed to put on weight, looked to be in the low 300s as recently as last week, according to a source close to the player.

Third-round pick Justin Houston could turn out to be a steal. Houston was thought by some to be a potential early second-round pick, but as FOXSports.com’s Alex Marvez and Jay Glazer reported, he failed a drug test during the NFL Scouting Combine earlier this year.

Third-round pick Allen Bailey, who weighed 285 during the NFL Scouting Combine, could wind up playing defensive end and linebacker for the Chiefs. It will be interesting to see if the coaches ask him to add or lose weight.

Fourth-round pick Jalil Brown should challenge for a roster spot on special teams and as a dime cornerback, but he could start down the road.

Fifth-round pick Ricky Stanzi could represent the future at the quarterback position for the Chiefs. Starter Matt Cassel, who turned 29 last month, has a $7.5 million option bonus due by the 10th day of the new league year to go along with a $4.75 base salary. While the Chiefs are expected to pick up the bonus, Cassel’s play regressed significantly late last season after his hot start.

share


Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more