Looking forward to the next season of the Kansas City Chiefs has always been a necessity more than a luxury over the last few seasons, given the team's lack of regular season success. However, just because the Chiefs are very much in the hunt for a playoff spot (in a lead position, actually), that doesn't mean it's still not fun to look ahead with a bit of curiosity for how things might end up playing out next offseason.
Specifically, the Chiefs have been linked (unofficially) to a high-caliber player in Larry Fitzgerald given the connection to former Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator and current Chiefs head coach Todd Haley. Rather than question whether or not Fitzgerald himself will be playing home games in Arrowhead, however, it's important to pull back on the camera and even ask if that type of a deal is a proper one for the Chiefs at this point.
Think back to last offseason when the Chiefs could have conceivably picked up other playmaking wide receivers, even one from the Cardinals. To look back, it seems both Santonio Holmes from the Steelers and Anquan Boldin of the Cardinals (who KC reportedly tried to get) were both bargain-basement steals for their new teams, the Jets and Ravens respectively. In mid-April, the Steelers handed Holmes to Rex Ryan's squad for a fifth-round choice. Boldin cost a bit more with both third and fifth round choices going to the Cardinals. Either way, given the duo's performances this season, they've been well worth the price.
What makes Fitzgerald worth it this time around?
It's a question worth asking, because obviously GM Scott Pioli believed it more important to acquire young, cost-controlled players to fill out the roster (the right 53?) before pulling the trigger on the same type of deal he made to bring Randy Moss to New England. It's not that Pioli is averse to this type of deal, but the team has to have certain things in order first. In this instance, the most plausible idea is that Kansas City's roster, in Pioli's eyes, wasn't to the level it should be in order to sacrifice a draft choice -- even a fifth rounder.
So what does that mean for this time around? The Chiefs, at worst, are at .500 after this year. Does this mean they should aim for the playmaking veteran to round out the team? Or does the team need another draft to fill in the gaps.
This year's performance has been both inspiring and frustrating, depending on the week. It's hard (impossible?) to know how Pioli might see things when it comes down to draft day.
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