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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, MISSOURI – DECEMBER 13: Tight end Antonio Gates #85 of the Los Angeles Chargers is tackled by defensive back Eric Berry #29 of the Kansas City Chiefs after making a catch during the game at Arrowhead Stadium on December 13, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – DECEMBER 13: Tight end Antonio Gates #85 of the Los Angeles Chargers is tackled by defensive back Eric Berry #29 of the Kansas City Chiefs after making a catch during the game at Arrowhead Stadium on December 13, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /

5. Safety/Linebacker (tie)

This last spot was a hard one. The Chiefs still technically have four safeties with some experience under contract for next season with Eric Berry, Daniel Sorensen, Eric Murray, and Armani Watts all on the roster. However, we all know how much Eric Berry’s status is up in the air. Will he be able to play? If he does, will he be any good? Will the Chiefs choose to part ways with him all together?

Even if all four players are back the play at safety last season was just flat out not good enough. So the Chiefs could look to add some competition even if they don’t cut anyone. Jordan Lucas is a restricted free agent and was one of KC’s better safeties (although it was a pretty low bar) at the end of last season. So he could be an option to bring back as well.

It wouldn’t shock me if the Chiefs just brought Lucas back and hope that Berry can actually contribute this season. It also wouldn’t shock me if the Chiefs were to part ways with Berry and draft a safety in the first round of the NFL draft. Several Chiefs fans have expressed a desire to go after Landon Collins in free agency. I personally don’t see the Chiefs committing another big contract to a safety (even if they do cut Berry), but I could certainly be wrong.

As far as linebacker goes it could certainly jump up to a higher spot on this list depending on what roster moves the Chiefs make as well. Let’s say the Chiefs cut both Justin Houston and Reggie Ragland, then suddenly linebacker would move up to a higher spot. As things stand right now I believe the Chiefs three starting linebackers in their base defense (assuming they run a 4-3) would be Houston, Anthony Hitchens, and Dorian O’Daniel with Ragland coming off the bench. The Chiefs may feel they don’t have a perfect fit for either the middle (Mike) linebacker or the strong side (SAM) and prioritize that spot higher on this list as well.

The bottom line here is that both safety and linebacker have guys under contract that can fill those spots. They are also positions where the play wasn’t good enough last season and the Chiefs could decide to part ways with players in hopes of upgrading the position or simply finding players they feel are a more natural fit. They are both spots where fans should keep an eye on what roster moves they make (or don’t make) early on to see just how much of a priority they are this offseason.

So that’s my list of top priorities for this offseason. I considered other spots like defensive tackle, wide receiver, and offensive line depth but ultimately none of them were as big of need as the positions that I listed. Do you agree with the positions I picked? Would you have a much different order than I have? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. Regardless, keep an eye on these positions during the combine this week because there is a good chance the Chiefs may target a few of the prospects at those positions in the draft in April.

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