Kansas City Chiefs: The 10 Free Agents Worth Targeting

We all have heard plenty of talk about the upcoming NFL draft. We have one more pressing need: free agency, and it should be a blast. Every year, Chiefs fans have fantasies of their dream signings and every year we end up disappointed. Knowing Scott Pioli, don't hold your breath.

The Chiefs have plenty of guys without contracts and yes, maybe some. like Barry Richardson need to be replaced. Depth is needed as well, and whether it comes from veterans or from rookies, we must learn from past mistakes. For example, you don't carry only eight offensive linemen when you open the season, especially if two of those three backups have never played ONE game of NFL football. (Nice going Haley, better not try that in Pittsburgh.)

And then you have the guys that get overlooked. Profootballoutsiders.com came out with some stats that threw me off guard. Of all the teams in football, the Chiefs were No. 1 in dominating opposing left tackles, and who are the guys who block the LTs? Right guards. Does that mean that Ryan Lilja is the best ROG in football? I doubt it, but that's how the pros graded him. Likewise, Casey Weigman ranked as the worst center at No. 32. Who would have known?

I have come up with my own top-10 list of free agents in order of priority:

No. 1: Dwayne Bowe

I know the stories of his shaky hands and his documented ups and downs. His drops have been overblown, He had only 5 drops this year compared to 15 the year before but this guy is a beast and we know it. Without him, that offense goes right into the gutter. This offense needs him, and needs him badly. Yes, there are other are other alternatives,but we may be unable to afford them.. For that matter, we may not be able to even afford Bowe. Long-term deal? This guy? I doubt it. Franchise tag? Most likely.

No. 2: Brandon Carr

Yes, I am choosing these two Chiefs because frankly, I don't want to lose either. If the Chiefs have to spend, start with these two first. KC has a month to sign Carr. Maybe he'll get the franchise tag and not Bowe. Good corners are hard to find and Carr is right up their with the best of them. In fact, Pro Football Focus ranks him as No. 8 in the league in critical catergories, and considering he's a No. 2 on this team, well, you can do the math. Franchising Carr would be more expensive than Bowe.

No. 3: Sione Pouha

This is the big daddy in more ways than one. The Jets are deep in their front seven on defense, but this nose tackle may be the best in the NFL. With the draft weak at the NT position, he is a hot commodity. At 6'3" and 340 pounds, it's easy to see why. He has been magnificent in the middle, not only crushing the pocket but stuffing the run. If the Jets are smart, they'll franchise him. If not, I'd take him in a heartbeat unless the Chiefs plan on taking that huge kid from Memphis in the first round.Pouha is 32 but he is a monster at stuffing the run.He can paly the zero gap like Wilfolk but doesn't help out on passing downs.

No. 4: Antonio Garay

Garay was out almost the entire season for the Chargers, and boy did they suffer because of it. Garay was a DT coming out of Boston College, but grew into a NT, and he is one of the very best in the NFL. Because of his injury history, the Chiefs may have a shot at him. Will he stay healthy? He's worth the gamble. Ranked as the number 3 NT in the game.

No. 5: Ben Grubbs

He has not been in the league that long but is already a Pro Bowler. The advantage the Chiefs have over the Ravens is that they have more money to spend, and like Garay, he missed most of the season. The former first-round offensive guard is too good to pass on and he can be plugged right into that ORG spot.

No. 6: Demetrius Bell

Who? Exactly. The more "whos," the better the chance he could be a sleeper, and Kansas City may get him cheap. Offensive tackle is not a strong position in the upcoming draft and Bell was one of the best pass blockers in the NFL, which is why he may get tagged by Buffalo. He can play both sides, he's young and he can be a fixture at right tackle for years to come. He could also play the left side, giving the Chiefs the option to move Albert inside at some point. In reality its only his last 6 games when he played at such a high level.

No 7: Peyton Manning

I know. Should be number one 

No. 8: Mike Tolbert

I know a lot of Chief fans love this guy, and why not? Although Bush is tempting, Tolbert reminds me a lot of Robert Holmes, KC's RB from its Super Bowl days. He is built low to the ground and can't be wrapped up by arm tackles. He's an inside alternative to Jamaal Charles, making him tempting. Although he put up a yards per carry number similar to Jackie Battle, we all know he is a notch above. I doubt San Diego will keep him, much to KC's delight.

No. 9: Aubrey Franklin

Yes, it's a weak year for NT in the draft, another reason why he might be had. After playing at a Pro Bowl level when he first came into the league, he was traded to a team that plays the 4-3 and was thus a fish out of water. I only wish they would grab one of the three I have mentioned on this list.

No. 10: Evan Mathis

Mathis came into the league as an offensive guard who ranked high among players at his position. The injury bug has plagued him, but Pro Football Focus ranked him in the top three offensive guards. He may not hold up over the course of an entire season, but when he plays, he is one of the best .He knows how to play the position, and has incredible agility. One of the most underrated players in the league.

Of course there are many more, but lets start be keeping Bowe, Carr, and Gilberry if we can.