Quarterback

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. I don’t think they can get deep into the playoffs with Matt Cassel. Kyle Orton isn’t the long term answer either. Neither is Tyler Palko, who was brutally awful this season after Cassel got hurt. Ricky Stanzi, a 2011 5^th round pick, couldn’t even beat out Palko was the starting job with Cassel got and they signed Kyle Orton just to stop the bleeding rather than give Stanzi a shot. He might not even be back next season. They can get by with Cassel for a couple more seasons, but I think it would be in their best interests to find a long term solution at quarterback. After Luck and Griffin are off the board, Tannehill and Osweiler could be nice developmental prospects who could start for this team in 2013 or 2014.

Offensive Tackle

Branden Albert wasn’t awful this season at left tackle. They could get away with keeping him there. They could also move him to right tackle. Whatever they do, they really need a new bookend tackle opposite him, either a left tackle or a right tackle. Barry Richardson was absolutely offense last year, arguably the worst starting offensive tackle in the league. He allowed 8 sacks, 36 pressures, and committed 9 penalties. When they ran behind him, they averaged just 2.6 yards per carry. Jonathan Martin will be in play when they pick at 12.

Running Back

Matt Cassel isn’t the best quarterback, but he did get into the playoffs in 2010 thanks to a fantastic running game. That should be their game plan again going into 2012. They went from 4^th in yards per carry in 2010 to 28^th in 2011. They need to get back to that 2010 rank. Jamaal Charles will be back, but he’ll be coming off a major injury as a sub-200 pound back who has never carried the ball more than 230 times in a season. They carried the ball a league leading 556 times in 2010. Even if Charles carries the ball say 250 times, they need someone else to carry the ball 250 times or so. Jackie Battle is a career journeyman who had one good game last year. Thomas Jones turns 34 this offseason and is at 2678 career carries. Dexter McCluster is 170 pounds so he can’t carry that kind of load. Trent Richardson will be in play at 12 and could be a best available pick. If they don’t take him, expect them to take a power compliment to Charles in the mid rounds.

Cornerback

Brandon Flowers and Brandon Carr are a great cornerback duo, but Carr is a free agent. If he’s not resigned, they’ll need another cornerback in the mix to keep Javier Arenas in the slot where I think he’s best.

Signed Stanford Routt 

Nose Tackle

The Chiefs took Jerrell Powe in the 6^th round last year. He didn’t play this year because Kelly Gregg had a great season, but he’s 35 this offseason and is leaning towards retirement. If they don’t think Powe is the long term solution, they’ll take another nose tackle in the draft this year.

Guard

Ryan Lilja is a decent player, but lost some snaps down the stretch to 2^nd round pick Rodney Hudson. Hudson is expected to play center long term, so they may want to bring in someone else to compete with Lilja in 2012.

Tight End

Tony Moeaki missed the entirety of the 2011 season with injury. This is nothing new for him. He couldn’t stay healthy at Iowa either. They should bring in another tight end for depth purposes because they didn’t have a pass catching option if his absence.

Wide Receiver

Dwayne Bowe is a free agent. He’s their best offensive player so he’ll need to be resigned. Meanwhile, slot receiver Steve Breaston once again dealt with injury problems in 2011. They could bring in some insurance for him as it appears he will not be cut this offseason, despite that the fact Todd Haley, his top supporter, has been fired.