5 Future Free Agents Kansas City Chiefs Must Re-Sign Before 2012

Though Kansas City hasn't even started their second preseason game for 2011, the Chiefs have their hands full preparing for 2012. A number of players are poised to hit free agency who could seriously factor into Kansas City's future as they continue developing a playoff-caliber team.

Fortunately, the Chiefs have an ace in the hole, and it's all about the Benjamins.  As per the recent report from NFL.com, Kansas City leads the league in available cap room with over $32 million remaining to be spent on players.

In years past, former general manager Carl Peterson would fork that money over to a couple big-name free agents, often with little positive results.

That's not what happens at 1 Arrowhead Drive now, though, as Kansas City is committed to building through the draft and holding on to their own players.

If the Chiefs hope to stay competitive going forward, these five players need to put pen to paper on a new contract before next season begins.

Dwayne Bowe

Despite solid performances in his first two seasons, Dwayne Bowe took more than a little criticism after his subpar numbers in 2009. With only 47 catches and 589 yards, Bowe’s inconsistent catching ability hit critical mass and brought the “bust” word into play.

Bowe answered his critics last year with a 1162 yard, 15 touchdown breakthrough. What makes this feat more remarkable is the lack of quality talent at the other receiver positions. Veteran Chris Chambers, the other incumbent starter, failed to build on his 2009 numbers and became an afterthought by midseason.

2011 brings a considerably different picture to the receiver corps. In first-round draft pick Jonathan Baldwin and veteran slot receiver Steve Breaston, the Chiefs have the missing pieces of what should be the most complete passing attack in the NFL.

But that all falls apart without Bowe.

When Todd Haley joined the Chiefs as head coach, Bowe was a reclamation project, with too much time under Herman Edwards’ "laissez-faire" style of coaching and development. Left to his own devices, Bowe became more sideshow than headline. Haley put an end to that; Bowe bought in and now Kansas City is reaping the benefits.

The Chiefs need to hold on to their current talent rather than let someone benefit from the development. With Kansas City’s current space, they can certainly afford extending his contract.

More importantly, they really can’t afford not to.

Le'Ron McClain

After a rookie season where he gained nearly 1,000 yards, running back Le’Ron McClain barely touched the ball the last two years. Despite a reputation as an elite fullback with ball-carrying ability, the free agent market lacked the opportunity McClain desires: to carry the ball again and put points on the board.

So when Kansas City signed McClain to a one-year deal, it wasn’t necessarily because he changed his mind and found some Zen calling to just be a lead blocker for someone else. For some inexplicable reason McClain didn’t find the market he wanted for his services, and the Chiefs get to benefit from that.

This year can be a probationary period of sorts, both for the Chiefs and McClain. Kansas City’s incumbent "between the tackles" running back, Thomas Jones, is getting long in the tooth and short on contract. If McClain shows he can both run and block, Kansas City should lock him in quickly to a respectable contract extension as Jones' replacement.

By that same token, the Chiefs are on a trial basis as well. McClain wants a team willing to give him the ball, and Kansas City won’t get anywhere by burying McClain on the ball carrying rotation like what happened in Baltimore.

Jared Gaither

Another former Raven with a one-year contract, Jared Gaither hit a couple snags in his free agency period. A failed physical in Oakland and a reputation for underachieving and a poor attitude limited Gaither’s options.

But Gaither has plenty of talent to excel in this league, and if there’s any position Kansas City could use more depth at it’s offensive line. Gaither is capable of playing both left and right tackle. He is a massive body who should open plenty of running lanes for Jamaal Charles and keep pass-rushers off of Matt Cassel’s back.

If Gaither proves he’s a positive locker room guy and even competes for a starter position, Kansas City needs to lock him up for the foreseeable future.

Brandon Flowers

This one is a no-brainer. Flowers has been the biggest under-the-radar cornerback in the league, if that makes any sense. While not quite in the elite company of Nnamdi Asomugha or Darrell Revis, Flowers is easily a top-five cornerback in the league; he and Brandon Carr are a large part of the defensive rebuilding that brought the Chiefs from the 30th defense in 2009 to 14th in 2010.

Flowers, along with Carr and 2010 first round pick Eric Berry, comprise what is quickly building to one of the best secondaries in the league. Flowers will likely cost a pretty penny to keep on the roster, but Kansas City would be hard pressed to find someone of Flowers’ talent at a lower price.

Brandon Carr

The unsung player of the “Brandons” in Kansas City’s secondary, Brandon Carr came to Kansas City as a Cover 2 cornerback to play in a Cover 2 defense.

Then Herman Edwards and his Tampa 2 defense were shown the door, and Carr entered a “sink or swim” scenario as the Chiefs morphed into their 3-4 defense.

So like any good fish out of water, Carr grew legs and went for a stroll.

In Carr’s first 18 months after Todd Haley’s ascension to Kansas City’s head coach, he represented a weak link in the defensive backfield. With Brandon Flowers approaching elite status, Carr found plenty of balls thrown his direction as he adapted to the new defensive scheme.

Then it all came together last December.

In the middle of a playoff run against division rival Broncos, Carr enjoyed his coming out party of sorts, defending five passes and playing virtually lights out against the NFL-leading receiver Brandon Lloyd.

Carr answered the challenge of changing defenses. He might have taken long to adapt than Flowers, but he was also drafted much later than Flowers. Carr’s contract extension will come at a much better price than the free agent or high draft pick needed to replace him. Plus, Carr already knows the system plenty well.

Just ask Brandon Lloyd.