Bumped this up a few hours. Morning update will come around 8 AM. -Chris
It's never too early, is it? Nah.
I am, nonetheless, an addicted draftnik, to the point where I literally have a tackboard that I keep all my favorite draftees targeted at particular points in the Draft.
But the point of this entry is not necessarily to judge which players we might be more intrigued by (rest assured, there will be plenty of those in the months that come from yours truly). Here, I'm more convinced in our needs. What needs are the most and least pressing for the Chiefs in the 2009 NFL Draft?
A complete and obsessive breakdown follows, after the jump.
HIGH VALUE POSITIONS
QB
This is a large concern for the Chiefs. Huard is on his last legs this season, and at the end of 2008 I believe the Chiefs should thank him for his services. Many folks here have been hard on Thigpen, but I'm of the belief that Thigpen does have some potential. He was drafted out of a small college -- that screams "two-year project." Thigpen needs time, and he's not hurting anybody at the #3 slot. Ingle Martin is just a guy.
Croyle is just not reliable as an NFL starter, but he does have gifts, and he does have a certain amount of poise. He is not the future of this franchise, but he could make a solid-to-great backup.
Quinn Gray -- Keep, start.
Brodie Croyle -- Keep, make him earn it in camp against whatever stud we bring in.
Damon Huard -- Retire/cut.
Tyler Thigpen -- Keep, make him earn it in camp.
Ingle Martin -- Cut.
Need: 10 out of 10.
Pick: 1st to 3rd round. Maybe a second in the 6th or 7th to compete with Thigpen.
WR
It goes without saying that Bowe's a true #1. It's tough to say if we have a true #2, but Will Franklin has some potential. He's a fast route-runner and he exploded in preseason. He'll struggle this year as he recovers from his injury and gets used to game speed, but I'll be watching. As of now, he's unproven.
After him, it's nothing but question marks. Webb will be an RFA, but isn't worth more than vet minimum. He's a 5th WR at best. Darling continues to be a huge disappointment, but we can keep him around as a 3rd or 4th. Hagans and Rucker are just guys. There's serious need here, not only as a #2, but for depth as well.
Dwayne Bowe -- Keep, start.
Will Franklin -- Keep, let him earn it in camp.
Devard Darling -- Keep.
Jeff Webb -- Keep at vet min.
Marques Hagans -- Cut.
Micah Rucker -- Cut.
Need: 8 out of 10.
Pick: We could take 2 and I'd be alright. 1st to 3rd for the first, and 4th to 6th for the second.
OT
Albert has shown enough to be a starting LT for yet another year. Therefore I don't think the Chiefs should worry about spending a 1st on an elite LT. It's possible we already have one. We also have a very talented young steal from 2006 in Herb Taylor, who has handled LT duties very well in Albert's stead. He deserves to fight to start at RT next year.
McIntosh I'm not crazy about but he'd be about all you could ask for as a backup LT, or a backup RT. Richardson's a backup tackle at this point. It's tough to tell if he will ever be quick enough to block on the edge, but he's definitely talented enough to start inside. Moving him to guard is an option. There's a slight depth issue here, but for the most part I like Albert and Taylor in 2009.
Branden Albert -- Keep, start LT.
Herb Taylor -- Keep, start RT.
Damion McIntosh -- Keep, backup.
Barry Richardson -- Keep, backup and/or move to G.
Need: 4 out of 10.
Pick: 6th to 7th.
DT
As Dorsey continues to face double-teams, this DL is going to have to showcase other talents that can take advantage of one-on-ones. Picking an elite DT in this draft with our first or second would free up Dorsey more often and our entire DL would benefit. However, it's tough to say whether Tank is that guy, thereby making that pick unnecessary for the moment. He has shown flashes.
It's also hard to say whether our backups are really up to the task. Boone fits as a rotational DT, especially in the nickel package, but TJ Jackson and Ron Edwards are probably disposable. Better options abound, in the Draft and elsewhere. Derek Lokey is just a special teams guy.
Glenn Dorsey -- Keep, start.
Tank Tyler -- Keep, make him earn it.
Alphonso Boone -- Keep, make him earn it.
Ron Edwards -- Cut.
TJ Jackson -- Make him earn it in camp.
Derek Lokey -- Make him earn it in camp.
Need: 6 out of 10.
Pick: 3rd to 5th.
DE
Lots of trouble here. We need everything. Turk McBride really seems like the only thing that's working out here. He's not a good pass rusher but he plays the run on the strong side fairly well. Tamba Hali is talented but he over-exerts himself and gets injured frequently. Hali would work best not as a feature DE but as part of a lethal rotation, which he's never had in KC. Combine him and Turk with an elite pass-rush specialist and things might open up.
Still, that's just three guys. Nothing else looks great here. Brian Johnston needs another season to develop, and Jason Parker is just a guy. Depth is needed here -- drafting two guys is probably worth it.
Tamba Hali -- Keep, start in rotation.
Turk McBride -- Keep, start in rotation.
Brian Johnston -- Keep, make him earn it in camp.
Jason Parker -- Make him earn it in camp.
Need: 10 out of 10.
Pick: Two picks, 1st to 2nd with the first, 3rd to 5th with the second.
MLB
This is such an important position in the Cover 2. The Cover 2 MLB needs to be one of the bigger LBs in this league, and he needs to be one of the fastest. That said, you simply can't put anyone in this position who isn't an insane athlete and expect them to succeed. Pat Thomas has struggled but deserves a spot on this team -- however, he's certainly no starter. We don't have one on this roster.
Napoleon Harris is either constantly injured or constantly disappointing. He needs to be released. Weston Dacus looks good on special teams; let him earn it in camp.
Pat Thomas -- UFA, resign on the cheap.
Weston Dacus -- Make him earn it in camp.
Need: 9 out of 10.
Pick: 2nd to 3rd.
MID VALUE POSITIONS
RB
Running back by committee is really the way to go these days if you have decent talent at the position. What you don't need is an elite guy anymore, especially one that is incredibly limited in the ways you can use him. LJ is not only a poor 3rd down back due to his poor blocking, but he broods and runs poorly if not given the ball early and often -- which you'd have to give him, basically, on 1st down and 2nd down. A large part of why our offense is predictable is attributable to that weakness... LJ is worth a lot on the market, and little to a team rebuilding. I say trade him for a 2nd.
To replace him, we're largely set. While my belief in Savage is middling, I have really enjoyed Charles and Smith. Both guys can be a solid combo package, but this team will still need a bruiser. Battle fits the role, but it's tough to say whether or not he can be that guy in 3rd and goal situations. I like Battle and Savage just enough to have them prove it in camp, but I'm not opposed to us finding a bruiser in the Draft.
Larry Johnson -- Trade.
Jamaal Charles -- Keep, start.
Kolby Smith -- Keep, start.
Dantrell Savage -- Keep, let him earn it in camp.
Jackie Battle -- Keep, let him earn it in camp.
Need: 5 out of 10.
Pick: 4th to 7th round.
C
It's hard to say if Rudy Niswanger can really hold it down. He's definitely got the head for the job, and he seems to hold his own most games, but he gets absolutely killed by massive nose tackles, and he gets zero help from the right side of the line. I'm willing to give him another year before trotting in a rookie, but if a golden goose falls in our lap early on, I'd go for it.
Wade Smith is serviceable as a backup. No real complaints there. I'm pretty forgiving at this position right now as we try to reconstruct the right side of the line.
Rudy Niswanger -- Keep, start.
Wade Smith -- Keep.
Need: 3 out of 10.
Pick: 6th.
OLB
As of now, we've got two viable starters for next season. Derrick Johnson can obviously hold down the strong side, and Demorrio Williams shows enough promise to warrant a season as the unquestionable starter on the other side. But since Williams is not a sure thing, and because DJ will be in the last year of his contract, drafting a stud OLB is not exactly out of the question.
Our backups is where the real mess is. Nothing's there. Donnie Edwards is on his last legs this season, Walden is worth keeping but is just a special teamer, and Durde isn't worth anything but an international spot on the practice squad. Depth here is a must.
Derrick Johnson -- Keep, start.
Demorrio Williams -- Keep, start.
Donnie Edwards -- Retire/cut.
Eric Walden -- Make him earn it in camp.
Aden Durde -- Cut.
Need: 7 out of 10.
Draft: We could use two picks on OLB and I wouldn't mind. 3rd to 4th, and 5th to 7th.
CB
Finally, two young corners with promise! What are we going to do with that? Flowers and Carr are probable starters next year to round out a very young secondary. But they've got no depth behind them, especially as the Chiefs probably release Surtain this year.
Maurice Leggett can't get past Patterson on the depth chart, and Patterson is nothing to write home about on defense. He's a good special teamer, though. Travarous Bain intrigues me, but I doubt he's much to write home about.
Brandon Flowers -- Keep, start.
Brandon Carr -- Keep, start.
Patrick Surtain -- Cut.
Maurice Leggett -- Keep, make him earn it in camp.
Dimitri Patterson -- Make him earn it in camp.
Need: 6 out of 10.
Picks: 4th to 6th.
S
We're pretty much set at safety for a couple years. Page and Pollard continue to grow but fail to establish themselves at starters. Morgan may challenge either of them to start. Let 'em at it, says I. McGraw is a special teams guy who can play in spurts -- but man, Morgan needs to develop. McGraw does nothing but surrender yardage on defense.
Jarrod Page -- Keep, start.
Bernard Pollard -- Keep, start.
DaJuan Morgan -- Keep.
Jon McGraw -- Keep.
Need: 2 out of 10.
Picks: 7th.
K
Nobody knows the woes of being unprepared at this position more than the Chiefs. Nick Novak never did and never will deserve the opportunities the Chiefs have given him. I know Herm infamously misfired with Medlock, but the Chiefs should not be gunshy about a kicker should a good one drift along.
Connor Barth -- Make him earn it in camp.
Need: 5 out of 10.
Picks: 4th to 7th.
LOW VALUE POSITIONS
FB
Cox is a versatile, smart FB. He is a sturdy blocker, and a reliable receiver in the flat. He needs to improve more on his blocking, but there is nothing to complain about here. Cox fits the bill for 2009, and probably beyond.
Mike Cox -- Keep, start.
Need: 1 out of 10.
Pick: Don't.
TE
It's an absolute imperative that we trade Tony G. Not because I dislike the guy, but because he is still an amazing TE, but he will not be around by the time this team is Super Bowl competitive. I say we eat his 2007 signing bonus and trade him for at least a 3rd. Someone out there will take him.
It's also important that we trade him off because he's such a complete package, there's virtually no opportunities for Cottam to play. Cottam will never be the athletic stud that Gonzalez is, but he's proven to have good hands in the preseason and he's a huge target in the middle of the field. He's a great matchup problem. It's cloudy what we have behind him, but if Merritt's as good a blocker as Kuharich makes him out to be, he's our blocking TE. Michael Allan can always be brought back as a #3 TE, but Foschi's just a guy. But the Chiefs will need depth here if Merritt doesn't pan out.
Tony Gonzalez -- Trade for a 3rd.
Brad Cottam -- Keep, start.
Mike Merritt -- Keep.
John Paul Foschi -- Cut.
Need: 3 out of 10.
Pick: 6th-7th.
OG
Really shaky here. It's hard to say if Brian Waters has another season in him, and if he does it's hard to say if he can start. Given the needs across the board for this team, he'll probably have to. Nonetheless, there's no reason to lose him. Adrian Jones, however, is a waste of a roster spot. He is a backup at best. The Chiefs would be best to let him walk since he's an UFA. I'm in favor of trying out Barry Richardson at RG.
Our backup situation at this position is dire. There is nothing there. Edwin Harrison is the best looking guy we have, and he's currently on the practice squad. De La Puente and Tavaris Washington are just guys.
Brian Waters -- Keep, start LG.
Barry Richardson -- Move to RG?
Adrian Jones -- UFA, let him walk.
Edwin Harrison -- Let him earn it in camp.
Brian De La Puente -- Let him earn it in camp.
Tavaris Washington -- Let him earn it in camp.
Need: 7 out of 10.
Pick: 3rd to 5th.
KR/PR
We're a mess here. We've simply got to give youth a chance, and I think Savage is showing us why that's necessary. Drummond was a joke last year, and Sams was developing into one this year. I'm really interested to see Kevin Robinson when he gets healthy, but I see the writing on the wall.
Dantrell Savage -- Keep, let him earn it in camp.
Kevin Robinson -- Keep, let him earn it in camp.
B.J. Sams -- Release.
Need: 2 out of 10.
Picks: 7th.
P
We are set and happy with Colquitt. He's our MVP, after all.
Dustin Colquitt -- Keep.
Need: 0 out of 10.
Picks: Don't.
You forgot WR Mark Bradley, our new starter.
Vince D - October 23, 2008
I would disagree about high value
WR is actually one of the lowest impact positions. And RB should be at the very bottom IMO.
Nice assessment.
Joel Thorman - October 23, 2008
Thigpen
You ought to go back and compare Thigpen’s and Martin’s passing numbers in college. They played against the same level against many of the same opponents and Martin was a much better passer than Thigpen.
As for Thigpen being a two year project…he’s been on this team for two years already. He’s struggled for most of his pro and college football career to complete passes. He’s not getting much better.
UCrawford - October 23, 2008
We picked him up off waivers last year, durng the middle of the year.
Didn’t we?
AngryJesus - October 23, 2008
Beginning of the season
He’s the guy who replaced Casey Printers.
UCrawford - October 23, 2008
See?
It could be worse. We could be down to Casey Printers.
JacinB - October 23, 2008
I Think Printers Was Better Than Thigpen
Seriously…Thigpen has sucked in 5 out of the last 6 seasons he’s played football. There’s no real potential there.
UCrawford - October 23, 2008
It's a toss up between Printers and Thigpen
Do you like black or white?
JasonM - October 23, 2008
OLine
Should be our biggest priority. Other than Albert – I see no one deservant of a starting position in the years to come.
CBaller13 - October 23, 2008
Mostly agree...
although I’d cut McIntosh and with the current situation I don’t think there’s any way we get a 3 out of Gonzo let alone a 2 out of LJ. If the league suspends LJ, he’s pretty much untradeable. His apology actually sounded like he meant it and I think there is some actual contrition there, but even so…
I think all the PR nightmare that went along with both TG and LJ the past couple of weeks has pretty much eliminated any negotiation leverage the team has in trade discussions.
DSDC - October 23, 2008
We can still trade both players.
Tony will be an easy trade, but you are right about the 3rd, I’m guessing a 4th and 7th for him. With LJ there is some team out there that would give up something for him, especially if we pick up a portion of his contract, I bet we could get a 6th or more likely a 7th for him.
JasonM - October 23, 2008
As for this list
Here is how I rank the needs: 1.OL 2 players minimum 2. QB 2 players 3. LB. 2 players 4. DE 1 player 5. WR 1 player
JasonM - October 23, 2008
Here is my view ...
My first post with Arrowhead Pride …
1. Pass Rush DE – No one respects our pass rush so they load up to run.
2. QB – No brainer
3. MLB – PThomas just isn’t getting it done.
4. OG – 1or 2 of these … Jones has to go and McIntosh has to back-up
5. DT
6. After this it is a wash for me … solid kicker ala Mason Crosby would be good.
emo - October 23, 2008
Welcome to our nightmare!
Not the website, just the GM and Head coach.
Lanier63 - October 23, 2008
Welcome
As far as DT goes…I’m fairly happy with how Tank Tyler and Glenn Dorsey should pan out. DT takes a while to develop so Dorsey will be okay and Tank is much improved this year.
Joel Thorman - October 23, 2008
MLB
I’m still of the opinion that MLB should be our top priority this draft. MLB is key to the cover 2 scheme as well as shutting down the running game. This year there are some true studs coming into the draft at this position and we should lock one up for the foreseeable future. After that it gets fuzzy. With our current QB situation we need to think about drafting one here, but without solid blocking he will be every bit as ineffective as the current batch. Bit of a chicken-or-the-egg question here….will a solid line make a mediocre QB look good or will a good QB compensate for a mediocre line? Either way, addressing both needs will take us into round 4, where true pass-rush DEs get scarce. The best thing in the world for us at this point would be to get a 2nd or 3rd rounder for either/both LJ and Tony G. Won’t happen, but would be ideal.
Chiefs4Life - October 23, 2008
I think we are going to need another two first rounders
to accomplish anything remotely necessary to fix this problem. I disagree with the need to draft a DT at all on the first day. What we need is a better D line coach. I will let you guys know how I feel about the O line now.
Draft Oher 1st round, first pick. New line next year:
LT – Oher
LG – Albert
C – If we can pull the running backs out of his butt, try Niswanger, but Draft a solid Center, second day
RG – Waters
RT – Richardson or Taylor
Draft the best available MLB with the second – first round pick. QB second round.
Lanier63 - October 23, 2008
It will be tough to get 3 first round picks
unless we package Tony with some later picks, then send out a group of picks in 2010 draft.
JasonM - October 23, 2008
Did I post three first round picks?
Lanier63 - October 23, 2008
You said we would need another 2 first rounders.
I thought u meant that in addition to our first round pick we would need 2 more. You said it in your subject line.
JasonM - October 23, 2008
My bad
I meant in relation to this past years draft, 2008
Lanier63 - October 23, 2008
I got ya
I think if we packaged Tony G with a 3rd and 5th we could land the Packers late 1st round pick.
JasonM - October 23, 2008
Not Oher
I like Oher, but I think Albert looks solid at LT and we need to address other issues. I think Gray was a nice pick up at QB, definitely an upgrade to what we had, so we might try to get Losman in free agency. it’s out of vogue due to the price you have to pay for a top 5 pick, but I say we try to swap first rounders with someone at pick 11 to 15 in return for their second rounders this year and next. We use the new first rounder on an MLB, our 2 second rounders go to a guard and RT, or if we think Taylor will pan out we take a pass-rush DE with the first 2nd rounder and a guard with our newly-acquired second 2nd rounder. We spend the 3rd rounder on a second guard to groom as Waters’ replacement. 4th round we go for a WR, and a kicker in the 5th. 6th and 7th we spend on the top-ranked players still on the board (we could use depth everywhere right now).
I think next year’s batch of QBs will be more solid and we try to use Gray/Losman to get the rest of the team up to speed in anticipation of the transition the next year.
Chiefs4Life - October 23, 2008
I'm all on board w/ Lanier here
Draft Oher #1. Move him to RT. If Albert can transition smoothly from G to T, how could Oher not make the transition just to the other side?
The best bang for buck next year would be Oher with a top pick. If we had a halfway decent right tackle this season we’d be looking at a much more productive and HEALTHY offense
KansasCityShuffle - October 23, 2008
Or
We could draft someone else in the top 10 and take a RT at the beginning of round 2 where they usually go. Taking a RT in round 1 would be a waste IMO.
Joel Thorman - October 23, 2008
agreed
AngryJesus - October 23, 2008
Richardson to Guard
This would be a mistake unless our QB ends up being 6’7" because of how tall Richardson is. You really don’t want a 6’6" guard because he will block your QB’s field vision and also limit your throwing lanes that much more. If he can’t break through at Tackle we should cut our loses with him, he is just a late round project anyway.
tevans96 - October 23, 2008
Hopefully he doesn't play at 6'6
If so he needs to lower his pad level, or he will get beat every time.
JasonM - October 23, 2008
I just saw on ESPN
That Colt McCoy will return for his senior season. Not that that makes a huge difference to us but I know many people would have liked for the Chiefs to draft him.
Shawn - October 23, 2008
I'm glad he is staying
He is playing out of his mind right now, I want to see what happens when his WR and half of his stud OL are gone. If he puts up close to these numbers next year he is my choice.
JasonM - October 23, 2008
good points
Lanier63 - October 23, 2008
don't forget
how many QB’s (and others) have said that and then changed their minds (such as Vince Young?). when several mi$$ion is dangled in front of you, it can make you start to think differently.
benfunke - October 23, 2008
Don't forget the draft's little brother, free agency
The draft may be all well and good, but I don’t think even Clark will put up with much of this shite next year. KC will stay young, but they will have the money and a large enough fire under their butts to make Herm and Co. proactive in free agency. Here’s the list of possible FA’s as per http://www.footballsfuture.com
2009 Possible Free Agents
QB:
Jeff Garcia, UFA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rex Grossman, UFA, Chicago Bears
Kyle Boller, UFA, Baltimore Ravens
Charlie Batch, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers
Matt Cassel, UFA, New England Patriots
J.P. Losman, UFA, Buffalo Bills
Kyle Orton, UFA, Chicago Bears
Patrick Ramsey, UFA, Denver Broncos
Kurt Warner, UFA, Arizona Cardinals
RB:
Brandon Jacobs, UFA, New York Giants
J.J. Arrington, UFA, Arizona Cardinals
Correll Buckhalter, UFA, Philadelphia Eagles
Jesse Chatman, UFA, New York Jets
Heath Evans, UFA, New England Patriots
Ryan Moats, UFA, Philadelphia Eagles
Maurice Morris, UFA, Seattle Seahawks
Darren Sproles, UFA, San Diego Chargers
Aaron Stecker, UFA, New Orleans Saints
Ricky Williams, UFA, Miami Dolphins
WR:
Lee Evans, UFA, Buffalo Bills
Bobby Engram, UFA, Seattle Seahawks
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals
Hank Baskett, RFA, Philadelphia Eagles
Bobby Engram, UFA, Seattle Seahawks
Lee Evans, UFA, Buffalo Bills
Jabar Gaffney, UFA, New England Patriots
Dante’ Hall, UFA, St. Louis Rams
Devery Henderson, UFA, New Orleans Saints
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals
Sam Hurd, UFA, Dallas Cowboys
Brandon Jones, UFA, Tennessee Titans
Ashley Lelie, UFA, San Francisco 49ers
Shaun McDonald, UFA, Detroit Lions
Koren Robinson, UFA, Green Bay Packers
Amani Toomer, UFA, New York Giants
Roy Williams, UFA, Detriot Lions
Roydell Williams, UFA, Tennessee Titans
Cedrick Wilson, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers
TE:
Desmond Clark, UFA, Chicago Bears
Will Heller, UFA, Seattle Seahawks
Eric Johnson, UFA, New Orleans Saints
Jeff King, RFA, Carolina Panthers
Jim Kleinsasser, UFA, Minnesota Vikings
Leonard Pope, UFA, Arizona Cardinals
Daniel Wilcox, UFA, Baltimore Ravens
OL:
Matt Birk, UFA, Minnesota Vikings
Marc Colombo, UFA, Dallas Cowboys
Mike Goff, UFA, San Diego Chargers
Jordan Gross, UFA, Carolina Panthers
Mark Tauscher, UFA, Green Bay Packers
Stacy Andrews, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals
Jordan Black, UFA, Houston Texans
Vernon Carey, UFA, Miami Dolphins
George Foster, UFA, Detroit Lions
Chris Gray, UFA, Seattle Seahawks
Pete Kendall, UFA, Washington Redskins
Seth McKinney, UFA, Cleveland Browns
Jon Runyan, UFA, Philadelphia Eagles
Tra Thomas, UFA, Philadelphia Eagles
Fred Weary, UFA, Houston Texans
John Welbourn, UFA, Kansas City Chiefs
DL:
Julius Peppers, UFA, Carolina Panthers
Albert Haynesworth, UFA, Tennessee Titans
Terrell Suggs, UFA, Baltimore Ravens
Jonathan Babineaux, UFA, Atlanta Falcons
Bertrand Berry, UFA, Arizona Cardinals
Kevin Carter, UFA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Shaun Cody, UFA, Detroit Lions
Tank Johnson, UFA, Dallas Cowboys
John Thornton, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals
Marcus Tubbs, UFA, Seattle Seahawks
LB:
Eric Barton, UFA, New York Jets
Karlos Dansby, UFA, Arizona Cardinals
Ray Lewis, UFA, Baltimore Ravens
Mike Peterson, UFA, Jacksonville Jaguars
Bart Scott, UFA, Baltimore Ravens
Jonathan Vilma, UFA, New Orleans Saints
Jordan Beck, UFA, Denver Broncos
Monty Beisel, UFA, Arizona Cardinals
Angelo Crowell, UFA, Buffalo Bills
Channing Crowder, UFA, Miami Dolphins
James Farrior, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers
Tyjuan Hagler, UFA, Indianapolis Colts
Willie McGinest, UFA, Cleveland Browns
Carlos Polk, UFA, San Diego Chargers
Sam Williams, UFA, Oakland Raiders
Secondary:
Nnamdi Asomugha, UFA, Oakland Raiders
Mike Brown, UFA, Chicago Bears
Brian Dawkins, UFA, Philadelphia Eagles
Chris Gamble, UFA, Carolina Panthers
Dawan Landry, RFA, Baltimore Ravens
Dunta Robinson, UFA, Houston Texans
Tyron Brackenridge, UFA, Kansas City Chiefs
Mike Brown, UFA, Chicago Bears
Phillip Buchanon, UFA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jabari Greer, UFA, Buffalo Bills
Rodney Harrison, UFA, New England Patriots
Kelvin Hayden, UFA, Indianapolis Colts
Renaldo Hill, UFA, Miami Dolphins
Daven Holly, UFA, Cleveland Browns
John Lynch, UFA, Denver Broncos
Bryant McFadden, UFA, Pittsburgh Steelers
R.W. McQuarters, UFA, New York Giants
Justin Miller, UFA, New York Jets
Lawyer Milloy, UFA, Atlanta Falcons
Deltha O’Neal, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals
Jarrad Page, UFA, Kansas City Chiefs
Allen Rossum, UFA, San Francisco 49ers
Darren Sharper, UFA, Darren Sharper
Thoughts? Comments? Complaints?
mushin - October 23, 2008
And the award for longest reply goes to: mushin
I say screw it and throw the bank at Ray Lewis and Julius Peppers.
JasonM - October 23, 2008
I Did A Piece Awhile Ago About 2009 Free Agency
Since then WR Roy Williams has come off the list (Cowboys traded for him then signed him to an extension) as has WR Lee Evans. Losman’s the only QB worth signing (unless Chicago lets Orton go, which probably isn’t going to happen). Dansby and Vilma are the only LBs we want and Vilma’s probably going to re-sign with New Orleans and Dansby will likely get franchised…Angelo Crowell might be worth a risk if we can get him cheap, but he’s not worth a big contract because he’ll be coming off what appears to be a serious knee injury. Tank Johnson might be worth a gamble if the Cowboys let him leave. None of the offensive linemen fit what we want to do or are worth the money they’ll demand…the FA class of o-line for 2009 is a wasteland of the old, broken, and/or untalented.
UCrawford - October 23, 2008
I'd consider Matt Cassel.
He ain’t half bad (which is about a 60% upgrade over what we’ve got), and he’s gotta have some potential or the Patriots wouldn’t have kept him for so long, especially considering he hadn’t started since high school.
JacinB - October 23, 2008
I'd Like Him If We Could Get Him Really Cheap
But not enough to pay even Damon Huard bucks for him.
UCrawford - October 23, 2008
I like Patrick Ramsay
Just for depth though, not sure he should be a starter, but he wouldn’t be a terrible stop gap to let a younger guy get his feet wet.
RoyalsRetro - October 23, 2008
He's Injured
UCrawford - October 23, 2008
Yea, I know
For next year….is he he out for next year too?
RoyalsRetro - October 23, 2008
No Clue
I just know he hasn’t been that good anywhere he’s been. He’s essentially another Quinn Gray. Why would we want two?
UCrawford - October 23, 2008
For comedic purposes?
RoyalsRetro - October 23, 2008
If That's The Case
I’d rather have Anne Ramsey.
UCrawford - October 23, 2008
agreed, I doubt Chicago lets Orton go
He looks like he’s been playing well recently. They should have stuck with him instead of letting Rex “fatty” Grossman start after coming off of injury, he might have been great by now.
I’m with you though, that FA list isn’t that promising overall. A few gems here and there.
QB – Cassell could continue to develop over the season and may be a hot commodity if the Pats continue to play well. Losman is tempting but he was so inconsistent at Buffalo… I’d rather ride Gray out.
Other LB’s – I like Mike Peterson from Jax, though he’s had injury issues in the last few years. James Farrior is also good, but probably not a fit for our system.
WR – Houshmazilly is about all I see on that list worth a dig-dang now that Evans and Williams are locked up. Baskett has upside, but I’d rather take my chances in the draft – I’d also rather give Franklin the shot.
Ochophosphate - October 23, 2008
Accepting the award..
I’d like to thank Jesus and mom. Oh and that one REALLY hot chick that got drunk that one night and made me realize that beer could solve all of my life’s problems.
I don’t think Ray-Ray would come to KC. I don’t think money would weigh as heavily as the chance to play on a contender, and let’s face it, KC (barring the 4 horsemen of the Apocalypse playing as the front four on the D-line) is not going to contend next year.
Peppers is interesting, but it’s scary to give a guy with motivational problems a butt ton of money.
For D-line I think you have to target Suggs. Pass rusher who can drop back in coverage sounds just about right.
mushin - October 23, 2008
No way Ray comes to KC
I was just kidding, same with Peppers. I would like alot of those players, so FA could be interesting.
JasonM - October 23, 2008
Terrell 'Bounty Hunter' Suggs?
Didn’t he admit a few days ago that they’d put a bounty out on several of the Pittsburgh players, one of whom got taken out for the season … ?
While I’m all for playing with intensity and I love hard-hitting football, I’m not sure that sort of ‘bounty hunting’ on opposing players is the type of thing that we want to encourage.
(Or, given this defense, maybe we do …)
JacinB - October 23, 2008
Yes he did
Idiot !! Bounties are common – but you don’t TELL the media about it. What was he thinking ??
HankerChief - October 23, 2008
Really nice write up
I think a playmaking wide out should be the top pick. Its not nearly as big a gamble as QB and can provide us with another offensive weapon, help Bowe get more open and help develop a young QB if we draft one.
I think another offensive lineman for the right side needs to be taken early, probably in the second round.
Third round I’d start looking for QBs that dropped. I don’t think I would invest a first rounder in such a gamble. But by the third round you can get a good value.
After that its all about adding depth. Defensive end, middle linebacker and safety is where I’d concentrate.
RoyalsRetro - October 23, 2008
No way in hell..
anyone gives up a fist day pick for washed up LJ. He’s just not that good plus he’s damaged goods.
HIV 2 Elway - October 23, 2008
At this point
I’d feel good about a 4th rounder for him, which really I’m not sure we could get. Running backs just have very little value. They’re a dime a dozen.
Joel Thorman - October 23, 2008
I think KC will definately dip into free agency
This next offseason after doing relatively nothing this last year and having the teams progress decline so fast. Rebuilding can be done with young free agents also. You just simply can not draft an entire football team these days.
Shawn - October 23, 2008
You guys forget
This team may go heavy into free agency, we do not know for sure who is going to be running the 09 Chiefs.
Eric Allen - October 23, 2008
No balance then...
History will then repeat itself and those are the days of our lives. Chiefs will revert back to their woeful Carl days since after this season he’ll go the Clark and say:
“Told you so”." Should’ve let me draft and acquire".“Let me rebuild with has-beens and never-will-be’s”….."but at least we’ll win 8 games.
THE_TRUTH - October 24, 2008
Whats so ironic is this
People will be lined up at the door to apply for the GM job , if/when, it comes open because of all the possibilities and the “pot of gold” cap room we have.
Free agent players just don’t want to come here until we can be a proven winner even with all the money.
Lanier63 - October 24, 2008
Direckshun -Q: What O guards do you have on your board
that we could get around rounds 3 thru 5 that might be an upgrade? I agree that our guard depth is really weak, and if Waters is gettin to the end, we might actually need 2 starters if not next year then soon.
TheQ - October 24, 2008
I'm not Direkshun, but I know the draft prospects better than most
Rounds 3-5 will feature:
Kraig Urbik Wisconsin 6’6 335 lbs
Tyrone Green Auburn 6’1 310 lbs
Andy Levitre Ohio St. 6’2 325 lbs
Paul Fanaika Arizona St 6’5 340 lbs
Cedrick Dockery Texas 6’3 320 lbs
Travis Bright BYU 6’4 330 lbs
Ryan Durand Syracuse 6’5 300 lbs
Day One picks will be:
Duke Robinson Oklahoma 6’5 335 lbs
Herman Johnson LSU 6’7 390
JasonM - October 24, 2008
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