The hype of free agency has come and gone and now it’s time to look at what teams have gained and lost since March 15th and where they stand as they prepare for the upcoming draft. Let’s chat about the Kansas City Chiefs.
Kansas City Chiefs
Key acquisitions: T Jawaan Taylor, DE Charles Omenihu, LB Drue Tranquill, S Mike Edwards, DT Byron Cowart, WR Richie James
Re-signed: DT Derrick Nnadi, G Nick Allegretti, TE Blake Bell, S Deon Bush
Departures: DE Frank Clark, T Orlando Brown Jr. (Bengals), S Juan Thornhill (Browns), T Andrew Wylie (Commanders), WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (Patriots), DT Khalen Saunders (Saints), WR Mecole Hardman (Jets), FB Michael Burton (Broncos), RB Ronald Jones (Cowboys)
Remaining free agents: DE Carlos Dunlap, RB Jerick McKinnon
Analysis: The Super Bowl champs were very active in free agency, both in signings and departures. Even though there’s been a lot of roster turnover year-to-year, this team is always championship-caliber.
After not franchise tagging left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. for the second straight year, and then signed with the Bengals, the Chiefs brought in Jaguars starting right tackle Jawaan Taylor on a four-year deal and are likely switching him to the left side. Taylor is a former second-round pick and has started every single game in his four seasons. The team also lost right tackle Andrew Wylie, so there’s a vacancy on both sides. The team might believe in former third-round pick Lucas Niang to compete, but I expect tackle to be a point of emphasis during the draft.
To wrap up the offense, KC lost two starting wide receivers in JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman to the AFC East. They brought in Richie James to provide depth, but they still need to address the position. Can’t rely on Marquez Valdez-Scantling and Skyy Moore as your WR1/2.
On defense, the Chiefs cut star pass rusher Frank Clark as a cap casualty. They brought back starting defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi, but lost his partner in the interior Khalen Saunders to the Saints. They brought in former Texans and 49ers pass rusher Charles Omenihu, who has 11.5 career sacks as a rotational guy. With Carlos Dunlap still a free agent, the defensive line is definitely a weak spot.
The also brought in division rival Drue Tranquill at linebacker to join Nick Bolton and Willie Gay. The former fourth-round pick was a starter the last two years in Los Angeles and broke out last year with 146 tackles.
A couple changes in the secondary as starting free safety Juan Thornhill signed with the Browns, so they brought in former Bucs starter Mike Edwards to link up with Justin Reid and Bryan Cook. The former third-round pick was a stud in a loaded Tampa secondary, and is a playmaking ballhawk with seven career interceptions.
Ronald Jones signed with the Cowboys and Jerick McKinnon is still a free agent, but the Chiefs are expected to resume talks with the veteran back after the draft.
Conclusion: Even the best teams need to retool their roster. It’s rare to be able to keep all 22 starters, and the Chiefs are no different. A lot of changes to the defense, and some important ones to the offense. The weapons are in flux, the offensive line will have at least two new starters, and the defensive line needs work. But you can never be worried as long as you have Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes leading your team. A good draft will keep Kansas City in postseason contention once again.
Football Nerds 