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The Kansas City Chiefs top five offseason needs

By Lyle Graversen

SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 23: Ed Dickson #84 of the Seattle Seahawks catches the ball against Steven Nelson #20 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on December 23, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 23: Ed Dickson #84 of the Seattle Seahawks catches the ball against Steven Nelson #20 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter of the game at CenturyLink Field on December 23, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – JANUARY 12: T.Y. Hilton #13 of the Indianapolis Colts makes a catch that would lead to a touchdown through tight coverage on Steven Nelson #20 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – JANUARY 12: T.Y. Hilton #13 of the Indianapolis Colts makes a catch that would lead to a touchdown through tight coverage on Steven Nelson #20 of the Kansas City Chiefs during the fourth quarter AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January 12, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images) /

1. Cornerback

There simply isn’t a single other position of need on the Chiefs current roster as big as cornerback. To say that the Chiefs had coverage issues last season would be an understatement. They gave up the second most passing yards in the NFL as well as thirty passing touchdowns. Plus, at the risk of bringing up painful memories, with their season on the line in overtime against the New England Patriots Tom Brady picked them apart again and again on that season ending drive.

Even if they were returning everyone from last season you could argue that cornerback was a significant need. However, both Steven Nelson and Orlando Scandrick‘s contracts are up and are probably unlikely to return to KC. Nelson actually led all Chiefs in snaps played last season and Scandrick played over 800 snaps as well. Between the two the Chiefs are losing almost 2,000 snaps at the cornerback position. That is huge.

The Chiefs do return Kendall Fuller and Charvarius Ward who likely figure to be two of their top three corners in 2019. Tremon Smith returns as well, but it would be risky to rely on him to be a primary contributor next season. Depending on what the new defensive staff thinks of Smith the Chiefs may need to add two players at the position that could contribute next season. I would be fine if they signed someone with starting experience in free agency and used an early draft pick on the position as well.

While there are certainly other positions that Kansas City will need to address this offseason I don’t think there is any that are remotely as big of need as cornerback.

Next up, another huge part of the defense.

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