Kansas City Chiefs: Why this Year's Draft is More Important than Ever

When this NFL season ends, the Kansas City Chiefs will find themselves at a crossroads. With relatively new management and coaching changes made recently, the team has higher expectations for the 2010 NFL season.

But unlike in the past, this year they may have to fight with one hand tied behind their back. That is not good news for any team, especially a team that went 4-12 this year.

As most of you know, the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement that has been in place for 17 years is about to expire. The owners and  players have until March 1st to come up with a new agreement or else next season will be played with no salary cap. Most insiders believe there is about an 90% chance that this will happen, and if it does, it will bad news for most NFL teams. In particular, it will damage teams like the Chiefs that need to leapfrog into a higher position on the NFL food chain.

In the original agreement, owners loosened the restrictions on the player's ability to sign with other clubs once their contracts expire. In turn, players agreed to a salary cap, limiting how much each team could spend on player's salaries. Teams must spend a minimum amount on player's salaries based on a percentage of the league's total revenue.

Now, what this aspect of the agreement boils down to is that players who were drafted by their current teams are tied to that team for six years rather than four. In return, there is no ceiling on how much money individual players who are eligible can make. Most people are unaware that the current rules don't only restrict the maximum a team can spend, but enforce a minimum as well.

So where does that leave Kansas City? It leaves this small market team up the creek, because it will be tougher and tougher to sign top players

Without a cap, Derrick Johnson and Jared Page are tied to the Chiefs for an additional two years. But when you consider that Demorrio Williams and John McGraw beat them out of their starting jobs, respectively, this past year, does the team benefit by retaining both of them?

In the upcoming weeks, fans will see what the free agency pool will look like in the NFL with or without a new cap. The end result is pathetic. Without a salary cap, this will be the worst year ever for the Chiefs to come up with some "big names" through free agency. Players like Vince Wilfork and Logan Mankins, who normally WOULD be available and fill huge needs at NT and OG, will remain under contract.

This puts tremendous pressure on the Chiefs to have a sensational draft. The odds of that aren't very likely. What is more important is can they get immediate help from any of them. Most rookies will not make any kind of an impact until year #2 (see last year's draft)  Without Free Agency, if upcoming draft picks can't step right in and play at a high level it seems unlikely that any quick turnarounds can take place. One point is interesting.

Chief management has said they are looking for intelligent players who understand the game and study its nuances. This will come in handy since many of these players may have to be relied upon to have an early impact. Also, they will be looking for productive players rather than gambling on long term potential. For once management's demands coincide with the present conditions.

Going into last offseason, upgrading the offensive line and finding a pass rusher were their two biggest needs. Now, 12 months later, they are still important. But there is a much greater need: run defense. Hardly a quick fix. Without finding productive free agents, it seems impossible.

The Cheifs also need to sign Chris Chambers. With Chambers and Bowe they have an effective 1-2 punch that will improve their passing game. In my opinion, considering the needs just mentioned, using one of their top picks on a slot receiver is a luxury they can't afford. They can also pass early on a running back, quarterback, tight end, and defensive back. This years draft is so shallow at the cornerback position that they should avoid it completely.

Instead, Kansas City needs a guard and at center, not to mention a nose tackle. Most of all, they really need linebackers. With the exception of Tamba Hali, this group was awful. The safeties were under so much pressure to provide run support that they played poorly and missed tackles. If the line can hold its own, and the team can get linebackers who can stuff the run and make plays behind the line (including sacks), this defense will improve.

If the Chiefs go after offense alone, this defense will sink the team. Granted, under Vermeil they won games with a great offense and bad defense. However, the current Chiefs' offense is not the Vermeil-run offense, and their current defense may be even worse

You need a good defense if you are going to win in the NFL.

My 1st round pick is Rolando McClain of Alabama. More later.