Some of you may remember that several weeks back I wrote an offseason wishlist for the Chiefs. I thought now would be a good time to review the wishes and see how the Chiefs are doing. I got to say as much as it sucks only winning 6 games it does make free agency and the draft much more exciting. Here were my items on the wish list that were achievable before the start of free agency on Monday. I know technically it starts on Wednesday but it really starts on Monday. Anyway here was the list:

1. Cut Jawann Taylor: Check! His free agency got an early start…get it?
2. Get new Running back and Receiver coaches: Check! Hey these guys have coached these positions before…what an idea!
3. Get a new Offensive Coordinator: Check! Welcome back EB!
4. Fix the Salary Cap issues or get better at cheating: Check! Thanks Pat!
5. Trade McDuffie if you can get a first round pick: Check! And add in another 5th and 6th this year, and a 3rd next year.
6. Travis Kelce should retire…I think: Unknown. I’ve gone back and forth on what he is going to do, and at this point I don’t care that much I just want him to decide.

Overall though, besides Kelce, I have gotten every single thing I wanted for this part of the offseason. Now the next part is crucial. Free Agency and the Draft. And now that we have an idea of who is available I can give names to the people I’d like them to obtain starting on Monday. So let’s look at the wish list items that can be achieved starting between Monday and the Draft.

Rebuild the Running Back Room:

Look I love Kareem Hunt and appreciate how good he is on short yardage plays. I’m grateful for the impact Pacheco had on our back to back championship run. I like Smith and think maybe he could become a solid gadget guy, 3rd down guy and return man. None of these guys should be the number 1 back on any team. So we have to start fresh. I assume and hope the team doesn’t think Dameon Pierce is the answer. Perhaps they can hold him hostage on the roster all year this year like they did Elijah Mitchell last year. But regardless, we need new dudes. And Veach knows that. He made it clear in his presser at the combine that they have to get better there. He also mentioned the investment they have made on the interior of the offensive line which I think was a poke at the coaching staff to run the ball once I get you a dude. The problem we face is that we are not the only ones looking for a running back. People are saying Kenneth Walker is going to get 14-16 million. I don’t know if I am in at that price point. But he is only 25 and I think he is better as a receiver than people give him credit for. Obviously, I like Walker a lot more at 10-12 million. The guy I really wanted was Breece Hall but of course he got tagged because the Jets hate Breece and fantasy football and all things good and fun in the world. So next on my wish list is Travis Etienne. He’s been a very solid player for the Jags who probably fits into our system better than Walker. If we can’t get him next up for me would be Rico Dowdle. Rico has averaged 4.6 yards a carry and had over a thousand yards the last two years for two at best average teams that didn’t really want to give him the ball a lot. I think Rico is good and I’d be happy with him as the lead back going into the new year. Tyler Alliger is another name to watch. He comes in cheaper but had a really great rookie year before B’Jan showed up. The funniest thing would to be sign him and then draft Love at 9 and basically do what the Falcons did to him. But he is a very good player that wouldn’t be ridiculously expensive. Finally, if we can’t get one of those guys, give me Kenneth Gainwell. Dude is solid at both running and catching and never had the chance to be the guy. The guy getting mentioned that I am least excited about is Raschad White. I’d be fine with him being our second guy but he is not fast or explosive. He’s like Pacecho with better hands and better vision…but that isn’t hard.

Receiver Changes:

When I wrote the wish list, I said I was fine with our receiver room. That is no longer true, mostly due to the latest Rashee Rice shenanigans. Apparently the jail time didn’t teach him much. I’m not saying the allegations are true but arguing with people on social media while promoting apps that pay you or whatever is just annoying. I’m just over Rice in general. I do hope they bring back Thornton but it seems like he wants to test the market and go somewhere they actually use him. Kind of like we did when Rice was suspended. I don’t love the free agents but the one guy I would be interested in bringing in is Romeo Doubs. Doubs catches everything, can get open against man and is a good red zone threat. As an added bonus, it’s fun to watch him run around with the guardian cap that makes his helmet look cartoonish. I like using one of our 4 picks in the top 75 picks on a receiver too. I do think Worthy will be much better next year assuming he stays healthy. Having a real receiver coach and EB will make him much better.

Sign Edge Rushers:

We need to drastically improve the D-Line. I would sign guys and draft guys and then sign and draft some more guys. Trey Hendrickson would be funny since I hate the Bengals but I think he will cost too much and is already 31. But if he wanted to come on a short affordable deal, that would be ideal. The 3 guys I am more interested in is Jaelan Phillips, Odafe Oweh, and Boye Mafe. All of them are fairly young and seem to be improving and would be upgrades over the guys we have had. If we get any 1 of those guys, I’d be happy. I’d also draft a guy or two. In fact, I love the idea of going defensive end at 9 and defensive tackle at 29.

Get more reliable swing o’line guys:

A lot of commentators on tv are saying the first thing we should invest in is offensive line. Protect Patrick Mahomes and his ACL. But they are ignoring the fact that last year’s issue wasn’t our guys, the issue was they were all hurt. That is why we don’t need to go spend a bunch of money. Go get a couple of veteran guys that won’t break the bank but can play good football for 2 or 3 games if needed. I like our current O-Line minus right tackle. I do not like our depth. Basically, I want us to do whatever it takes to avoid Wayna Morris being on the field.

Resign Leo Chenal

Look, I’m not saying we should match some big offer if he gets one. But he is so valuable not just on defense but on special teams as well. The guy just makes big plays. He’s who Dan Sorenson would have been if Dan was talented. I won’t be upset if he goes elsewhere, but I’d like to have him back.

So there you go! Brett Veach has followed my plan so far. Let’s see him sign Etienne, Doubs, Boye Mafe, and a couple of cheaper veteran offensive linemen. And hopefully bring back Chenal and Thornton. This is a realistic wish list that I think everyone can get on board with. Get ready for a crazy Monday through Wednesday. I’ll do a Free Agency post after the dust settles next week.