What will the Chiefs look like next season?

I didn't get to watch every game so please bare with me if I miss something.  I see this team has some bright spots and a lot of questions.  I know, "Thank you captain obvious."  Seriously though, the obvious was players like Flowers, Carr and Leggit.  Branden Albert was another rookie to leave his mark.  I still think the jury is out on Dorsey.  He has looked good in spots, but towards the end of the season he was rested a lot.  Next year will be a fair assessment to label him the man or bust. 

Our offense was terrible for the first part of the year and really just ok once Thigpen got to the helm.  He had bright spots and low ones.  That is to be expected with a first time starter.  We pretty much gave up on running the ball.  LJ got suspended, Smith to IR...again, Charles is a rookie and got banged up a bit, and Battle isn't anyones answer.

Defensively where do you start.  We sucked plain and simple.

So what will this team look like next year?  This is my opinion and is always up for debate. 

QB: For the sake of argument we will assume the Thigpen will be there.  With the latest info on Brady, it sounds like Cassel will probably get signed due to the possibility of Brady needing another surgery.  There are FA players, but other than Cassel who is really worth a shot.  Thigpen at the very least deserves a chance to be the starter.  Maybe someone like Graham Harrel later in the Draft.  If they address defense in FA, maybe they take Sam Bradford.  Doubt it though.  ESPN shows us taking Stafford in the first.

RB:  LJ will most likely not be here.  Either way I don't really care to be honest.  Charles should be better next year and maybe a little bigger.  Smith has been in the league twice and on IR twice.  FA players out there are Maurice Morris, Brandon Jacobs(will be a Giant), Darren Sproles who looked awesome all year, and a handful of others.  Possibly draft one in the late rounds.  We still need a true fullback.  Cox is alright but he isn't the street sweeper that we need.

WR:  I still don't know about Bowe.  He has a world of talent but seems to drop a lot of passes and his route running isn't as good as it needs to be.  I would like to see Bradley back.  After that who knows?  Boldin from Arizona is UFA and has expressed in the past he wanted out.  He would look good in KC. Houzmenzada how ever it is spelled is also UFA.  Not sure if he is the right guy for us. There are always receivers to be had in the draft.  Inglesias from OU, Percy Harvin and Louis Murphy are possibilties outside the first round.

TE:  Gonzo is the man but will he stay or will he go?  We don't really know about Cottam.  Good TE in the draft.  Coffman is a beast from MU.  The big 12 also has a couple of other good ones in Gresham from OU and Petigrew from OSU.

OL: It goes with out saying, even though I am saying.  Never quite understood "it goes without saying" statement.  Anyways we need help.  Branden Albert and Brian Waters are the only ones who should be annointed starters.  Would be nice to see Jordan Gross in KC.  That would give us bookends.  There are so many stud tackles in the draft as well. Niswanger is good if we are going smash mouth.  He is more of a Grunny style center.  Down hill blocker.  He may be the starter next year.  OG is still open opposite Waters.  Not sure if Sacintosh could play inside or not, but the right side of the line is terrible.  Maybe a late round pick could be someone like Luis Vasquez out of TTU or Cedric Dockery out of Texas.  No matter what happens in the offseason this will be addressed for sure.

DT:  Tank Tyler improved but not sure if he is the answer.  Dorsey needs another season and is possibly out of position.  Free agent Linemen are Tank Johnson, Albert Haynesworth(doubt he goes anywhere), Shaun Cody, Rocky Bernard.  Draft wise out of the second round may still have Ziggy Hood available.  He is listed as third best DT in the draft.  Other than that not real familiar with college DTs. 

DE: Hali will probably be the starter on the left side next year.  Julius Peppers is UFA and is my dream signing.  Doubt he goes anywhere but who knows?  Terrell Suggs is another player that might fill that spot.  In the draft everyone on here seems to love Orapko and he would look good here.  If we sign a stud FA we obviously won't draft him.  Michael Johnson out of GT is high on some lists but I really don't see him here.  This position will obviously be addressed with immediate help.

LB:  Lets just say right now that DJ will be a starter next year.  After that who know?  Do we keep DJ at MLB or move him back.  I really believe Demorrio Williams can play.  If we move DJ back to weak side and Williams to strong side, A stud middle will make all the difference.  UFA availble, Ray Lewis, Bart Scott, Karlos Dansby, Eric Barton, Mike Peterson, and Jonathon Vilma.  James Farrior and Channing Crowder are also UFA.  Draft wise we have all talked up Laurinaitus and Maualagu, but Derry Beckwith and Dannelle Ellerbe are also a couple to be considered.  The other option would be to leave DJ at MLB and draft Aaron Curry who is also a top five possibility.  Brian Cushing is another USC product who people are high on.  Zach Follet is pretty impressive after watching how he played against Miami in there bowl game.  Immediate help needed at starting positions!

DB:  We are pretty solid at this position.  We really don't need starters here.  Flowers and Carr have shown that they can start.  Our safeties have been criticized by fans, but they haven't had much help.  Our secondary can't cover guys for 10 seconds.  Maybe just need some depth.  Leggitt was good when given his shot.  Possible FA Phillip Buchanon, Atogwe, Asumogha, Brian Dawkins, Mike Brown, Bryant McFadden, Deltha O'neal.  OH yeah and also UFA our very own Jarrad Page.  We better not lose him.

P/K:  Colquit is the man.  Barth, who knows?  We have been cursed at this position since Lowry left.  UFA Mike Nuggent.  Draft wise I hope we don't draft a kicker.  Maybe Wolffert will be a FA.

GM:  Who knows where this ends up.  NE is out of the playoffs so now is the time for Pioli.  Mr. Hunt is very good at keeping his cards close to his vest, so we may not here a lot.

HC:  Herm?  Most people want him gone and a few say let him stay.  I have never seen a coach keep his job after going 15-33 in three seasons but I haven't studied it that close.  There are more questions this year than last, so we might win 1 game next year if he stays.  If he is fired who will be the head coach?  Sounds as if Cowher isn't on the market.  There is Marty and Billick out of work, but Billick may be content where he is.  Sounds as though Marty is looking at exec. possibilities.  New head coaches seem to be the trend.  Three of them are taking teams to the playoffs and one won the division.  Who will be that guy or those guys next year?

Like I said before this is just my opinion and is always up for debate.  Just thought this would be fun to look at.