Kansas City Chiefs: 5 Positions That Need to Be Upgraded This Offseason

The Chiefs came into this offseason with many different needs on their current team.

It will be important that the Chiefs' brass can address several of these needs before the team lines up again this fall.

In this piece, I have provided a list of the biggest positional needs for Kansas City in this '11 offseason.

Defensive Tackle

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COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 07: Defensive tackle Phil Taylor #11 of the Baylor Bears in action during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

This has been an area that the team has struggled in for quite some time.

They have tried many different players to help fill this void over the years, including former first-round pick Ryan Sims.

It doesn't look like there will be too many solid free agent defensive tackles, which means that the Chiefs should look to draft former Baylor defensive tackle Phil Taylor in April's NFL draft.

Outside Linebacker

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COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 7: Aldon Smith #85 of the Missouri Tigers is congratulated by teammates during the game against the Baylor Bears at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

With veteran OLB Mike Vrabel nearing the end of his career, the Chiefs need to start looking for his replacement now.

Some say that the team already has it in young linebackers Cameron Sheffield and Andy Studebaker, but they are still very unproven to this point.

Chiefs GM Scott Pioli might look to trade up or find a way to get former Missouri star Aldon Smith in the first round, as he could have a huge impact in the NFL if used the right way in the outside linebacker position.

Right Tackle

Like the defensive tackle position, this has been a spot where the Chiefs have struggled for years.

This position has been very inconsistent ever since former Chief Damion McIntosh took over the position a few seasons ago.

One name to remember for this year's draft is former Temple RT Darius Morris, as he is a big, versatile lineman that played both the guard and tackle positions in college.

Running Back

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SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 12: Running back Mike Tolbert #35 of the San Diego Chargers crosses the goal line on an eight yard touchdown run against the Kansas City Chiefs at Qualcomm Stadium on December 12, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Stephen Dun

Jamaal Charles is one of the best backs in the league, but he needs a new partner in crime in '11.

Veteran Thomas Jones was signed before last season and did a solid job in the first half of the year, but he faded down the stretch for the second straight year, showing that he doesn't have to much time left in this league.

Free agent Mike Tolbert could be a great pickup for KC, as he could be the proverbial thunder to the lightning that is provided by Charles next season.

Wide Receiver

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 05: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings talks with Sidney Rice #18 on the sideline during the game against the Buffalo Bills at the Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on December 5, 2010 in Minneapoli

This position should be the most obvious of this group.

The Chiefs had one of the worst receiving units in the league in '10, with Dwayne Bowe becoming the only wideout to collect more than 300 receiving yards for the season.

Since the upcoming draft appears to be thin on talented receivers, the team should look to dependable free agents such as Sidney Rice to help bolster this position for next season.