NFL Free Agents: Who Should The Chiefs Pursue?

The 2012 NFL free agency period is getting closer. We're now only a few hours away from the 3:00 p.m. (Arrowhead Time) start. The Chiefs will be looking at a number of players but, like most fans, I have my wish list of players they should look at.

We'll start with the most no-brainer move of the offseason for the Chiefs....

RT Eric Winston, Houston Texans: I'm putting him at the top of the list. He was a surprise cut on Monday night by the Texans and I think he would fit well in Kansas City. He's one of the top two or three offensive tackles available so he won't be cheap but this is a perfect combination of talent meeting need. The Chiefs need a right tackle. Winston is a very good right tackle. Make this one happen and free up the 11th pick in the NFL draft for another position.

NT Paul Soliai, Miami Dolphins: 6'4" and 355 pound nose tackle. The Chiefs haven't had a longterm answer at nose tackle since GM Scott Pioli got here. Maybe Jerrell Powe is that guy but he only played nine snaps last year. We don't know enough about him. Soliai has been a starter and was good enough in 2010 to receive the franchise tag in 2011. He's played at a high level recently. He's only 28 years old so you can figure several productive years out of him. But, because he's young and plays nose tackle, he'll be really expensive. KC would likely have to enter into a bidding war and that's not their style.

RB Mike Tolbert, San Diego Chargers: The Chargers are expected to move on from Tolbert as he tests the free agency waters. The Chiefs need someone to line up alongside Jamaal Charles and Tolbert makes sense. What I really like about him is that he had 54 receptions last season. Get Charles in there ripping off big runs and then add in a guy like Tolbert who you have to keep an eye on in the passing game.

RB Michael Bush, Oakland Raiders: He's hitting free agency as well and, like Tolbert, he's someone the Chiefs should consider. Tolbert and Bush will be among the top running backs available so they could be a little pricey but if the market slows on either one the Chiefs should be there to pounce.

DE Mario Williams, Houston Texans: You say why, and I say why the hell not? The Chiefs have the money to be aggressive in free agency and if you're gonna drop a boatload of money someplace I'd say you should give it to a pass rusher. Williams' 2011 season was over prematurely after he suffered an injury five games into the season but he looked solid in his short stint in the 3-4 defense. I'd say this is doubtful but KC should consider it, if Williams wants to go back to the 3-4 defense.

C Chris Myers, Houston Texans: Another Texans offensive lineman. The idea of adding a center is an interesting one, though I'm not sure if it's something the Chiefs are thinking about. In this scenario, the Chiefs keep Jon Asamoah at guard and place Rodney Hudson at the other guard sport. Myers is in at center. That leaves Ryan Lilja on the outside looking in. I'm not sure if this is the best strategy but I do find the idea of keeping Hudson at guard and signing a center an interesting one.

QB Kyle Orton: If it's not Peyton Manning, then I hope it's Orton. The Chiefs know what he can do and I think he could have a legitimate shot to beat out Matt Cassel. He's not much different than Cassel so this doesn't scream Super Bowl but I do think he's better suited for the Chiefs offense.