With that said, do you advocate retaining Sean Smith and drafting for DE instead? It is a very good year for D-lineman, but also DBs.

I think that Poe is important for this defense, but I would not be in favor of bringing him back if he wants a huge salary like I expect him to. He's a rare specimen who will want to be paid somewhere in Gerald McCoy's neighborhood IMO.
I know people are saying Poe is better than Howard, but I don't think that's true. Poe is the better pass rusher than Howard, but Howard is a better run stuffer.
I think that Howard is a better pass rusher than Poe is a run stuffer. Obviously we would all love to keep both, but we've already got significant money tied up in Bailey and soon to be Howard (we've already made it a priority to get this done).
Keep in mind that we've shown a penchant for finding good DL (Howard/Williams) and we've also shown a huge amount of development in all of our DL, so could we move forward without spending a ton on a player with back issues?

As for CB, I do want Sean Smith back, but it's probably not gonna happen. This draft class is filled with great talent at CB and I'd like to take one early on pure principle, however I think we'll be forced to take one as a need, as I don't see any real talent in FA that would come at a significantly cheaper price than what Sean Smith will cost.

I think this draft will be all about depth. I think we need depth at these 3 positions more than anything else:

-Speed receiver to replace Avant/backup returner. (Braxton Miller would be great). I want to build this WR core up like the Steelers and Cardinals.
-CB, even if we keep Sean Smith.
-OLB. I don't care if Tamba comes back. We need insurance in case Ford struggles in the future, or another injury occurs in the future.

Is it just me or is Howard good for 1-2 personal fouls a game?

Seems like it every freaking game.

Like I said, he's going to have to show more to justify the amount of money people around here think he's worth or are willing to pay him.

The rate I'd consider comfortable would be around 4.5 million per. He's a very good run stuffer and can be a very solid, if not top notch, nose tackle. He's not elite at rushing the passer and he still makes plenty of mental mistakes.

The deciding factor will ultimately be "the market," and where his agent and teams around the league see him fitting relative to it. Some fairly large contracts have been signed the past few years by defensive lineman.

I don't like the 8+ per number I put out in this offseason mock and I really don't even like paying him Bailey money. The more I think about his production and how I'd personally value him, the more I think the Chiefs have to get a deal done under 5.5 million per, and ideally under 5 million per, or they should let him walk.

Where Hali? You don't have on the roster or walk away.

He has void years in his contract to spread the bonus out and he is a free agent after 2015, but I didn't put him on the "let walk" list for two reasons: 1. I expect him to retire, and 2. If he doesn't retire I'd assume he'll sign a one-year, cap-friendly deal with the Chiefs.

Will update to reflect Desmond King's decision to return to Iowa for his senior season.

Updates made.

Notable changes:

• Reduced contract for Jaye Howard to 5.5m per average.
• Re-signed Jeff Allen at 4.25m per average
• CB Eli Apple replaces CB Desmond King (returning to Iowa) as Round 1 pick.
• OT Joe Haeg replaces OT Tyler Marz as draft pick.
• WR Hunter Sharp replaces OT Clint Van Horn as draft pick.
• Other picks moved up or down, reflecting changing value

Howard is getting more than an average of $5.5 million.