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5 Takeaways From Kansas City Chiefs Adding Jeremy Maclin

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5 Takeaways From Kansas City Chiefs Adding Jeremy Maclin

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Jeremy Maclin is reportedly set to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs. When the deal gets done, it will completely change the direction of KC's offseason. Here are five takeaways from the move.

5. Big Cuts And/Or Backloaded Contracts

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Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

5. Big Cuts And/Or Backloaded Contracts

NFL: Combine
Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Adding Maclin and giving Justin Houston the franchise tag puts KC over the salary cap. The team has already made some cuts and restructured Tamba Hali's contract. Making more significant moves in free agency means more cuts, restructures, and some backloaded contracts. KC is projected to have about $62 million in cap space for 2016, and over $100 million in 2017. GM John Dorsey could definitely push some money down the road.

4. The Offensive Line

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4. The Offensive Line

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Dorsey typically drafts for the best player available. He may want to tweak that strategy a little in order to patch up the offensive line. The Chiefs are probably going to lose Rodney Hudson. He was one of the best players on a weak offensive line. With Maclin in KC, the offensive line is by far and away the biggest weakness. Dorsey has to find a way to improve it on a very tight budget.

3. Getting Big Production Out Of Maclin

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3. Getting Big Production Out Of Maclin

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Even if it means flat-out ripping off Chip Kelly's playbook, Reid and Smith need to get big production out of Maclin. Smith has never been able to make a receiver top 1,000 yards, and that has to change. Maclin will not be worth his contract in a conservative offense. The Chiefs need to take full advantage of his playmaking abilities.

2. Learning From Mistakes

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2. Learning From Mistakes

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After an embarrassing performance from the wideouts in 2013, the front office's response was to hope that declining vets would return to form, and to pray that completely inexperienced receivers would step up. Neither of those things happened. Another sad season from the wide receivers in 2014 meant an aggressive move had to be made.

1. Alex Smith Now Has The Weapons

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1. Alex Smith Now Has The Weapons

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The 2015 season will be Smith's best chance to prove he can be more than a game manager. Along with Maclin, Albert Wilson and DeAnthony Thomas bring young potential and blazing speed to the wide receiver position. Jamaal Charles and Travis Kelce are top-notch pass-catchers at running back and tight end. If Smith doesn't significantly top his career-highs in passing yards (3,313) and TDs (23), it will be considered a big disappointment.

Aaron Charles is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter
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