Walter Football's KC Chiefs Draft Analysis

[Tribal Warfare]

2010 NFL Offseason: Kansas City Chiefs

Draft Grades, Season Previews, Offseason Needs, Free Agents

Kansas City Chiefs (Last Year: 4-12)

2010 NFL Draft Grades:

5. Eric Berry, S, Tennessee
Eric Berry's probably going to be a stud, but taking a safety in the top five is a very questionable move. (Pick Grade: B)

36. Dexter McCluster, RB/WR/KR, Ole Miss
Dexter McCluster is a luxury pick. If some team with few needs wanted to take him in Round 2, that would have been fine. The Chiefs don't have that luxury because of all of their primary needs. (Pick Grade: C)

50. Javier Arenas, CB/KR, Alabama
The Chiefs just drafted a nickel corner and kick returner when they still have issues with quarterback protection and pass rush. Not a good weekend to be a Chiefs fan. (Pick Grade: C)

68. Jon Asamoah, G, Illinois
I'm going to ignore the whole Branden Albert issue here because Jon Asamoah is a skilled second-round prospect. Many had him as the No. 2 guard. The Chiefs had to improve the offensive line. (Pick Grade: A)

93. Tony Moeaki, TE, Iowa
I'm a big Tony Moeaki fan - as long as he stays healthy. It always seemed like he was injured at Iowa. If he can stay on the field, he should be a great weapon for Matt Cassel. (Pick Grade: B)

136. Kendrick Lewis, FS, Ole Miss
A reach, but that doesn't matter much in Round 5. Kendrick Lewis fills a need, so this makes sense. (Pick Grade: C)

142. Cameron Sheffield, DE/OLB, Troy
Cameron Sheffield is a quality value here and fills a major position of need. The Chiefs have not been able to get to the quarterback for years. (Pick Grade: B)

Key Undrafted Free Agents:
# Nathan Ivey, NT, Maryland
# Bill Stull, QB, Pittsburgh





Season Summary:
I think most of us can now confirm that handing out $63 million to noodle-armed quarterbacks doesn't work. Sadly, there are some who will still argue this. But just imagine if the Chiefs just selected Mark Sanchez at No. 3 overall and used their second-round choice on someone like Ziggy Hood (would have to trade up a few spots) or Rey Maualuga. You can say hindsight is 20-20, but several people actually mocked these players to Kansas City back in January.






Offseason Moves:
# Chiefs re-sign ILB Corey Mays
# Chiefs re-sign QB Brodie Croyle
# Chiefs re-sign OT Ryan O'Callaghan
# Chiefs re-sign C Rudy Niswanger
# Chiefs re-sign OT Barry Richardson
# Chiefs re-sign CB Maurice Leggett
# Chiefs re-sign FB Mike Cox
# Chiefs re-sign ILB Derrick Johnson
# Chiefs announce retirement of QB Quinn Gray
# Chiefs sign G Ryan Lilja
# Chiefs sign C Casey Wiegmann
# Chiefs sign WR Jerheme Urban
# Texans sign G/C Wade Smith
# Chiefs sign DE/DT Shaun Smith
# Chiefs sign RB Thomas Jones
# Chiefs re-sign WR Chris Chambers
# Colts sign G/C Andy Alleman
# Chiefs tender RB Jackie Battle
# Chiefs tender S Jarrad Page
# Chiefs re-sign DE/OLB Mike Vrabel
# Chiefs cut G Mike Goff
# Chiefs re-sign QB Matt Gutierrez
# Chiefs re-sign RB Kolby Smith


Offseason Needs:

1. Left Tackle: Branden Albert didn't allow a sack in his final six games, so one would think that he really improved toward the end of the season. However, that's an incorrect assumption. Albert still allowed lots of pressures; his sack total was simply down because Matt Cassel released the ball quicker or just handed it off to Jamaal Charles. The left tackle position is still in desperate need of an upgrade, so Russell Okung is the likely pick at No. 5. Albert would then play guard, which would give the Chiefs two upgrades for the price of one.

2. Quarterback: This need obviously won't be addressed anytime soon because Matt Cassel is somehow the third-highest paid quarterback in the NFL. Think about that one for a second.

3. Nose Tackle: Ron Edwards is not a starting-caliber nose tackle. Terrence Cody and Cam Thomas will be considered atop Round 2 of the 2010 NFL Draft. Signed Shaun Smith

4. Rush Linebacker: The Chiefs had just 22 sacks in 2009, and 8.5 of them came from Tamba Hali. A pass-rusher might be added in the early rounds this April.

5. Center: Even when Kansas City's offensive line improved toward the end of the 2009 season, the center position was still a glaring weakness. An early pick will be used to upgrade Rudy Niswanger. Also, the addition of Russell Okung would push Brian Waters from guard to center. Make that three upgrades for the price of one. The No. 5 overall selection must be Okung. Signed Casey Wiegmann

6. No. 2 Wide Receiver: Chris Chambers was impressive last year since joining the Chiefs, but was likely just playing for a contract. I would not feel comfortable with Chambers as my No. 2 wideout. A receiver could be drafted in Rounds 3-4 this April. Re-signed Chris Chambers

7. Strong Safety: It was imperative that the Chiefs cut Bernard Pollard; he was too talented for their defense and room had to be made for veteran Mike Brown.

8. Free Safety: Can the Chiefs really go with the tandem of Jon McGraw, Jarrad Page and DaJuan Morgan at free safety again in 2010?

9. Defensive End: Despite all of the resources the Chiefs have used to upgrade their defensive line, they are still really hurting up front. Glenn Dorsey is a poor fit for the 3-4; Tyson Jackson had a horrible rookie campaign; and Alex Magee barely played. Kansas City will likely allow Dorsey, Jackson and Magee to grow together for another year, but it's not looking good at the moment.

10. Inside Linebacker: Position No. 439,129,695,238 that needs to be upgraded. Demorrio Williams and Corey Mays starting over Derrick Johnson? Seriously?

11. Right Guard: If the Chiefs take Russell Okung, they can move Branden Albert into this position (though he'll probably go to left guard, and Brian Waters would move to center). Signed Ryan Lilja

12. Slot Receiver: Lance Long and Bobby Wade aren't the answer in the slot. Signed Jerheme Urban

13. Return Specialist: Jamaal Charles won't be returning kicks anymore. Bobby Wade also needs to be upgraded as the punt-returner.

14. Cornerback Depth: Yep, this is needed too.

15. Power Running Back: Someone to complement the electrifying Jamaal Charles could be taken in the later rounds of the 2010 NFL Draft. Signed Thomas Jones

2010 NFL Free Agent Signings:

1. Thomas Jones, RB, Jets. Age: 32.
Signed with Chiefs (2 years, $5 million)

Thomas Jones would be a quality signing for one year. However, he's 32 and wore down at the end of last season. The tank is nearing empty.

2. Ryan Lilja, G, Colts. Age: 28. -- Signed with Chiefs (3 years)
3. Casey Wiegmann, C, Broncos. Age: 37. -- Signed with Chiefs (1 year)
4. Jerheme Urban (RFA), WR, Cardinals. Age: 29. -- Signed with Chiefs




Kansas City Chiefs Free Agents:

Salary Cap (As of Jan. 16): No cap.

1. Derrick Johnson (RFA), ILB, Chiefs. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Chiefs (1 year, $2.6 million)

Derrick Johnson started only three games in 2009 because he was too talented for Todd Haley's defense. Johnson has absolutely no chance of starting in 2010 after his two pick-sixes against the Broncos in the season finale.

2. Ryan O'Callaghan (RFA), OT, Chiefs. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Chiefs (1 year, $1.7 million)

Ryan O'Callaghan played very well down the stretch, but I'm not overly confident that he's the long-term answer at right tackle for the Chiefs.

3. Chris Chambers, WR, Chiefs. Age: 32.
Re-signed with Chiefs (3 years, $15 million; $5.9 million guaranteed)

Being cut by the Chargers served as a wake-up call for Chris Chambers, who eclipsed the 70-yard barrier five times in nine games with the Chiefs. Having said that, I wouldn't be able to trust Chambers with a new contract.

4. Corey Mays (RFA), ILB, Chiefs. Age: 26.
Re-signed with Chiefs (1 year, $1.7 million)

A backup inside linebacker pushed into the starting lineup because of the front office's ineptness, Corey Mays really struggles against the run.

5. Wade Smith, G/C, Chiefs. Age: 29.
Signed with Texans (4 years, $12 million; $6.25 million guaranteed)

Wade Smith played well down the stretch. He can fill in at both guard and center.

6. Mike Vrabel, DE/OLB, Chiefs. Age: 35.
Re-signed with Chiefs

It's sad to see Mike Vrabel decline like this. Vrabel had just two sacks in 2009, but was still effective against the run.

7. Brodie Croyle (RFA), QB, Chiefs. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Chiefs (1 year, $1.7 million)

I'm not sure if Brodie Croyle isn't the best quarterback on the Chiefs. That's how mediocre Matt Cassel is.

8. Mike Cox (ERFA), RB, Chiefs. Age: 25. -- Re-signed with Chiefs (1 year)
9. Jarrad Page (RFA), FS, Chiefs. Age: 25. -- Tendered by Chiefs (2nd round)
10. Rudy Niswanger (RFA), C, Chiefs. Age: 27. -- Re-signed with Chiefs (1 year, $1.7 million)
11. Maurice Leggett (ERFA), CB, Chiefs. Age: 23. -- Re-signed with Chiefs
12. Andy Studebaker (RFA), DE/OLB, Chiefs. Age: 24. -- Re-signed with Chiefs
13. Bobby Wade, WR, Chiefs. Age: 29.
14. Mike Goff, G, Chiefs. Age: 34.
15. Andy Alleman (ERFA), G, Chiefs. Age: 26. - Signed with Colts
16. Barry Richardson (ERFA), OT, Chiefs. Age: 24. -- Re-signed with Chiefs
17. Kolby Smith (ERFA), RB, Chiefs. Age: 25. -- Re-signed with Chiefs
18. Matt Gutierrez (ERFA), QB, Chiefs. Age: 26. -- Re-signed with Chiefs
19. Jackie Battle (ERFA), RB, Chiefs. Age: 26. -- Tendered by Chiefs