Top 3 Offseason Positional Needs For the Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off the high of winning a Super Bowl championship and while the rest of the league is trying to catch up, the Chiefs will continue retooling to stay ahead of the pack. It’s well documented that general manager Brett Veach continues to get better with each passing NFL Draft, and the way he helped build the roster over the past two offseasons has been very impressive. With Patrick Mahomes at quarterback, there really is never a true rebuilding season, but the retooling of the offensive line, linebacker group and secondary helped the Chiefs get back to the mountaintop.
What does Veach need to do this offseason to not only get back to another Super Bowl, but to win back-to-back titles? Continuing to retool at positions of need will be critical. Here is a look at three groups the Chiefs will need to attack this offseason in order to continue winning at a high level.
Wide Receiver
Many will point to last season and say the Chiefs don’t need to do anything special at wideout for Mahomes to play at a high level and win the Super Bowl. While that may be true, the team has to continue staying ahead of the curve and improving at a skill position like the receiver room is important.
Last season’s additions of JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling in free agency, the drafting Skyy Moore and trading for Kadarius Toney midseason were all subtle but critical moves. How can the Chiefs get better without having to overhaul the entire receiving room again? There’s one free agent move and one draft pick I’d like to see the Chiefs take.
My Free Agent Pick: Smith-Schuster
It seems like a good move for both the player and the team for the Chiefs to bring back Smith-Schuster. His numbers aren’t eye-popping and his injury history is well-documented, so that could lead to not having as high a dollar amount in free agency. He is a great fit in the Chiefs' offense and proved he can be a safety blanket-type receiver for Mahomes when necessary. As a side, it would be a good move for both parties if Mecole Hardman came back on a one-year Demarcus Robinson-eqsue deal to give himself a shot at a bigger contract next offseason. Bringing back Smith-Schuster and Hardman would give the Chiefs continuity and flexibility moving forward.
My Draft Pick: Cedric Tillman (Tennessee)
Cedric Tillman had a breakout season his junior year, catching 64 passes for 1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns. His senior season was cut short due to an ankle injury, but his size and strength along with the catch radius he possesses make him a unique talent that could be had in the second round. The Chiefs could use Tillman on the outside and use Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney as the primary slot receivers. Typically, rookie wide receivers don’t get a ton of run in year one, but Tillman could be a playmaker that pushes the envelope and be a force to be reckoned with while Mahomes is throwing him the ball.
Offensive Lineman
There was a unique mix of veteran and younger guys along the offensive line the past couple of years. One of the biggest question marks of the offseason is what to do at the tackle positions with Orlando Brown Jr.’s rookie contract expiring and Andrew Wylie being set to hit free agency. The Chiefs need to keep their offensive line a priority for as long as Mahomes is leading this team.
My Free Agent Pick: Tag and Extend Brown
Using the franchise tag on Brown and then giving him a five-year extension would be ideal for the Chiefs. It would give Mahomes protection on the blindside for the foreseeable future and Brown would make the money he has been looking to add to his bank account. Obviously, there are some kinks that need to be worked out in the negotiation, but this is something that needs to be worked out before the season starts.
My Draft Pick: Darnell Wright (Tennessee)
Darnell Wright has been the starting right tackle at Tennessee and continued to show improvement each season from his freshman to senior seasons. During his final collegiate campaign, he played 829 snaps and allowed just five hurries, two quarterback hits and no sacks. Projected top-five pick, defensive end Will Anderson, said Wright was the best tackle he faced in his college career. Wright’s stock will likely continue to rise but if he happens to be there at the end of the first round for the Chiefs, it would be a pick I can get behind.
Defensive End/EDGE
The Chiefs need to continue getting younger at the defensive end position. They did a nice job by snagging George Karlaftis at the end of the first round last year — could there be another guy that drops into the lap of the Chiefs in the first or second round this year?
My Free Agent Pick: Arden Key
Arden Key turned his career around after leaving the Las Vegas Raiders. He had 6.5 sacks with the San Francisco 49ers in 2021 and added 4.5 sacks to his resume in 2022 with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He is just now entering his prime at age 27 and a two or three-year deal worth about $10 million per year with Key could be a good move for the Chiefs. I could also see a scenario where Kansas City brings Frank Clark back on a lower salary again if both sides can come to an agreement.
My Draft Pick: Keion White (Georgia Tech)
Keion White could be a riser as he goes through the pre-draft process. Steve Spagnouolo is likely already drooling just looking at his height and weight before seeing any of his other measurables. White is the prototypical “Spags” EDGE and could be a pass-rush specialist his rookie year while he develops the rest of his game.
The Chiefs are setting up for the second quarter of Patrick Mahomes's career, and re-tooling through free agency and the draft will continue to extend the Super Bowl window that seems to be never-ending in Kansas City.
