Kansas City Chiefs' List of Needs Is Slowly Dwindling

The Chiefs' current offseason approach reminds me of a mid-market baseball team, carefully plodding its way through the waves of emotion surrounding every potential free agent on the market. They're avoiding the sexy picks and big price tags, yet finding pieces of the puzzle to improve their team. 

Let's get real—Julius Peppers was never going to happen. Antrel Rolle and Karlos Dansby were paid entirely too much money, and thank goodness we haven't drunk the T.O. juice.

I've been a bit surprised there haven't been any trades as of yet to potentially offer more draft picks, but hey, I guess there's still time. 

There is still plenty of work to be done, but let's face it: The Chiefs are in much better shape today than they were at the end of the season.

The additions of Thomas Jones, Casey Wiegmann, and Ryan Lilja have solidified some problems on the offensive side of the ball. Shaun Smith should provide at least some rotational depth at DT.

BUT...the defense needs more help. I'm not sold on the "bounce-back" year Brandon Carr SHOULD have, nor do I believe that our linebacking corps today will be the same group we send out for opening day (at least I hope not). The poor safety play of last season also has to be addressed.

But perhaps the biggest improvement the defense could make this season will be the hopeful development of their young defensive linemen. It's time for the young bucks to step up and contribute. 

The Chiefs absolutely need a productive draft, one that could yield as many as two or three immediate starters. However, with the recent transactions, the glaring needs of the Chiefs are getting fewer, and that has a nice ring to it.

Instead of staring at a depth chart with more holes than a block of Swiss cheese, the needs of the Chiefs appear more manageable. Hopefully, that will keep the powers that be from reaching for a guy because he's at a position of perceived need (remember one year ago)?

I'm excited—and I think Chiefs Nation should be as well! I'm not booking my trip to Arlington or anything, but I'd be willing to bet a pretty penny the Chiefs won't find themselves drafting in the top five a third straight season in April 2011.

Go Chiefs!