Around The League predicts the Week 1 starting lineups for all 32 teams, analyzing the potential impact of each rookie class. Click here for the complete series breakdown.
» No team has taken more offseason hits than the Chiefs. They'll have two new starters on the offensive line, and they didn't get Alex Smith the help he needed at wide receiver or tight end. Donnie Avery, Travis Kelce and Anthony Fasano are all starters that the team would ideally upgrade from.
» First-round draft pick Dee Ford will add pass-rushing skills off the bench behind Tamba Hali and Justin Houston. Ford should be Hali's eventual replacement.
» With no second-round pick this year because of the Alex Smith trade, the Chiefs could use instant help from third-round cornerback Phillip Gaines. Unfortunately, he looks more like a developmental player who will struggle for snaps right away.
» The Chiefs' secondary should be a strength with Sean Smith and Eric Berry in the mix, but it was erratic at best down the stretch last season.
» In Vance Walker and Mike DeVito, the Cheifs have two no-nonsense, try-hard defensive ends. Along with Joe Mays, there has to be a concern that Kansas City's talent distribution is uneven in the front seven. They have a bunch of Pro Bowl picks and replacement-level starters.
» Andy Reid did a great job coaching this team last season. On paper, it's not a group that looks likely to return to the playoffs.
The latest "Around The League Podcast" predicts 2014 starting lineups and talks insider goodness with Bucky Brooks.
