Kansas City Chiefs: How John Dorsey Set the Team Up for Major Success in 2015

Given that Over the Cap showed the Kansas City Chiefs were in a bind with the salary cap going into the 2015 NFL offseason, general manager John Dorsey worked around the situation and addressed holes on the team’s roster, giving the Chiefs the best offseason possible.

While in desperate need of help at wide receiver and offensive line, Dorsey created cap space and recruited players who will make a difference on this team—mostly on offense—next season.

What Dorsey has done

The biggest and most prevalent signing by the Chiefs in March was the addition of wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, who played for Andy Reid in Philadelphia after being drafted in the first round in 2009 out of the University of Missouri.

But the offseason splash did not end there.

The most surprising move by the Chiefs was trading for two-time Pro Bowl left guard Ben Grubbs from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Chiefs continued to add muscle up front on offense by signing former Arizona Cardinals right guard Paul Fanaika.

Grubbs and Fanaika each had a good 2014 season, each allowing only one sack last year. The two new guards are expected to replace Mike McGlynn and Zach Fulton, who surrendered nine sacks combined.

Quarterback Alex Smith was sacked 45 times in 2014, tying with Detroit's Matthew Stafford for the fourth-highest total in the NFL. With Grubbs and Fanaika on board, Smith will see better protection in 2015.

The offense will be improved for Smith, too, as he has another weapon in Maclin.

Maclin finished in the top 11 among all wide receivers in catches (85), receiving yards (1,318) and touchdown receptions (10) this past year. Though the numbers would suggest that tight end Travis Kelce, who led the Chiefs in catches (67), receiving yards (862) and touchdown receptions (five), will be less successful statistically because of the addition of Maclin, it actually helps Kelce in the end.

Colin E. Braley/Associated Press

In Reid’s pass-heavy style, he will still utilize Maclin and keep Kelce heavily active. Opposing defensive players will have to pick their poison when going up against the Chiefs, forced to decide who to double-team between Maclin and Kelce. Both players will free up the other from time to time, depending on what defenses want to do.

By the end of the 2015 season, the Chiefs will have one of the best wide receiver-tight end duos in the league. With running backs Jamaal Charles, Knile Davis and De'Anthony Thomas, the Chiefs will be flexible and will continue to have a strong rushing attack.

Defensively, there is not much the Chiefs need to do to improve. Despite going up against some of the best quarterbacks in 2014, including both teams that participated in February’s Super Bowl, Kansas City's stout defense never allowed more than 29 points in a game. The Chiefs allowed an average of 17.6 points per game, finishing behind the Seattle Seahawks, the Super Bowl runners-up.

Dorsey managed to bring back defensive end Mike DeVito and outside linebacker Tamba Hali for a lower price, keeping Kansas City’s strong front seven intact as the team is ready to welcome back inside linebacker Derrick Johnson. Johnson and DeVito both suffered Achilles injuries during Week 1 against the Titans and will make an impact to help the defense do even better after an impressive season.

The only thing left for Dorsey to do is lock up outside linebacker Justin Houston, who led the league in sacks with 22, shattering Derrick Thomas’ franchise record and falling one shy of Michael Strahan’s single-season record.

Safety Eric Berry is considered one of the best safeties in the league, but the Chiefs haven't named a return date as he continues his treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Other notable moves Dorsey has made were adding quarterback Terrelle Pryor and safety Tyvon Branch, while re-signing wide receiver Jason Avant, tight end Richard Gordon, safety Kelcie McCray and versatile defensive back Ron Parker.

Looking ahead

The Chiefs still have a big hole at center after losing Rodney Hudson to the Oakland Raiders, but that can be filled by either adding former Oakland Raiders center Stefen Wisniewski or drafting Florida State center Cameron Erving with the No. 18 pick. 

According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, Wisniewski has gone unsigned because he is currently recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. He played with a torn labrum during the 2014 season.

While the Chiefs are one of several teams interested in Wisniewski, no team has signed him due to his request of $4 million per year, per Biggs, in addition to his shoulder surgery.

If the Chiefs lose interest in Wisniewski, they can always consider Erving in the first round of the NFL draft.

Dorsey has 10 draft picks to work with, including four in the first 100 picks. Expect the Chiefs to find one or two immediate starters and use the rest of the picks to build depth.

By the time OTAs and training camp come around, Reid will have everything he needs. 

Despite unexpected losses to the Titans and Raiders, the Chiefs held an impressive 7-3 record while defeating the Patriots and the Seahawks. Dorsey has given Reid everything he needs to succeed. It is up to Reid and the coaching staff, who have the ability and tools to improve from a nine-win season and get into the postseason.

If Reid can keep the Chiefs consistent from Week 1 all the way through Week 17, they will get into the postseason and perhaps give the Denver Broncos, who have won the AFC West the past four seasons, a run for their money.

All statistics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.

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