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Kansas City Chiefs free agency 2017: Top 5 targets

By Brad Weiss

Oct 23, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry (29) is introduced prior to a game against the New Orleans Saints at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry (29) is introduced prior to a game against the New Orleans Saints at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Kansas City Chiefs head into the 2017 NFL season fresh off an AFC West title. Here are five free agents they should target.

The Kansas City Chiefs took home the AFC West title in 2016, only to find themselves beaten in the Divisional Round by the Pittsburgh Steelers as the No. 2 seed in the AFC. There are plenty of question marks heading into next season, especially whether or not Alex Smith will ever be able tow in them the big game as their quarterback. The Chiefs have a ton of talent on both sides of the ball, and a good offseason could land them right back atop the AFC West.

Kansas City plays in a very tough division, and teams like the Oakland Raiders and Denver Broncos are not far behind them. Head coach Andy Reid has some big decisions to make about his roster heading into next season, with the biggest being locking up star safety Eric Berry. If Kansas City wants to repeat in the AFC West, they need to be smart this free agency period.

Here are five possible free agent targets for the Kansas City Chiefs.

5

Malcolm Smith

LB, Oakland Raiders

For years, Derrick Johnson has been one of the best linebackers in football. Not only is he an incredible linebacker, but his leadership on the field for the Chiefs cannot be understated. However, he is starting to get up there in age, and the time may be coming for the Chiefs to start thinking about the future of the position. The success of the Chiefs really hinges on the play of their defense, so addressing all weaknesses will be a priority this offseason.

Johnson is 34-years old, and he has dealt with a torn achilles in two of the last three years. While he is most certainly going to play a big role in the Chiefs plans in 2017, he is going to need some help. Ramik Wilson is a solid player, who played in Johnson’s absence in 2016, but it would be unfair to compare him to Johnson. Kansas City needs to bring in a veteran to help out in 2017, and they may only have to look within their division to do so.

Malcolm Smith was the Super Bowl MVP for the Seattle Seahawks a couple of years back, and went to the Oakland Raiders to join defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. For the Raiders, Smith has proven to be a leader for the young roster on the field, and off of it, and his production has been just what the Raiders were hoping for. Re-signing him is going to be a priority for the Oakland Raiders, but the Chiefs may be able to wrestle him away from their division rival.