Kansas City Chiefs: What Will They Do In the First Round Of The NFL Draft?

Coming in to the offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs, along with many other teams, had a series of holes to fill in their roster. There was the hole at the safety position because of Eric Berry‘s battle with Hodgkin lymphoma and Ron Parker‘s free agent status. That particular hole was filled with the addition of former Oakland Raiders safety Tyvon Branch and the re-signing or Parker which the team announced on Tuesday.

Former Oakland Raiders safety Tyvon Branch is now a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

Another glaring hole was as the wide receiver position. The Chiefs wide-receiving unit did not score a single touchdown for the entire regular season which surprisingly enough was not an NFL record. According to Todd Haislop of the Sporting News, the last team to do that was the 1964 Giants. That is not quite what you would expect from an Andy Reid offense. The Chiefs addressed that particular need by adding free agent Jeremy Maclin, formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles. The team also re-signed veteran receiver Jason Avant but long-time Chief Dwayne Bowe was cut in a cap space saving move.

The Chiefs also addressed the Rodney Hudson-sized hole in their offensive by trading a fifth round pick for New Orleans Saint guard Ben Grubbs. They also signed guard Paul Fanaika who started all 16 games for the Arizona Cardinals last season. They have yet to add a center to replace Hudson but they have a possible replacement in Eric Kush on the roster.

So as so many well-managed teams have done, the Chiefs addressed several needs on their roster while working within the restraints of the salary cap and not really overpaying for any one player. Many fans derided the initial deal as far too much money for a safety with one career start before 2014 but according to Brett Gerig of Arrowhead Addict the deal “isn’t nearly as bad” as some might think.

With several of the needs already addressed, does this leave the Chiefs in the much envied “take the best player available” position? Not quite. There are several key players on the Chiefs roster that are in the final years of their contracts or in the final stages of their careers.

Linebacker Derrick Johnson has been tremendous during his 10-year career with the Chiefs but he is 32 years old and is coming off an Achilles injury that ended his season so he will eventually have to be replaced. Cornerback Sean Smith is in the final year of his contract and the team needs a contingency plan if he does not re-sign.

The two most pressing needs that remain are at wide receiver and at the center position. If the Chiefs are looking for another center and they want someone who can start right away, looking for one in the draft may not be the safest move. They can either opt for a veteran such as Chris Myers of the Houston Texans or former Arizona Cardinal Lyle Sendlein. Another intriguing name out there is Stefen Wisniewski who the Oakland Raiders have replaced with Rodney Hudson. The Raiders obviously felt Hudson was an upgrade over Wisniewski but he is only 26 years old and could be an excellent long term option.

Despite signing Jeremy Maclin and bringing back Jason Avant, the Chiefs are still very thin at receiver. They have playmakers at every offensive skill position in tight end Travis Kelce and running back Jamaal Charles but a big time target opposite Maclin could truly open up the offense. There are several big time prospects and this looks to be an excellent receiver class.

It may not live up to last year where names like Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans, and Kelvin Benjamin were selected, but impact players like Dorial Green-Beckham could be available. When it comes time for the 18th pick, a playmaker opposite Jeremy Maclin is the likely direction the Kansas City Chiefs will go.

Next: Kansas City Chiefs 7 Round NFL Mock Draft

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