Which remaining free agents can provide the Kansas City Chiefs with production heading into 2024?
The biggest holes that the Kansas City Chiefs roster had after winning their second consecutive Super Bowls were important ones to fill. The wide receiver room was below average, the left tackle spot was a concern, the defensive line was losing a ton of production, and the secondary took a big hit after L’Jarius Sneed was traded to the Titans.
A number of these issues have been addressed already, in one way or another. Marquise Brown was brought in to sure up the receiving corps; and, nearly every single rotational defensive lineman was re-signed. In the 2024 NFL draft, they added another wide receiver (Xavier Worthy) and an offensive tackle (Kingsley Suamataia) with their first two picks. In the later rounds, they grabbed a pair of defensive backs (Jaden Hicks and Kamal Hadden). Even with a lot of off-season questions addressed already, there’s still a few free agents the Chiefs can target to who’ll bring value to the team.
Veteran Wide Receiver
The wide receiver room really hinges on the outcome of Rashee Rice‘s legal proceedings and possible suspension. There are rumors that the suspension could be put off until next season. If that was the case, I would feel confident with the group as it is.
A trio of Rice, Brown, and Worthy is a really solid. Then players like Justin Watson, Kadarius Toney, and Skyy Moore can be more luxury pieces instead of being relied upon to produce on a weekly basis. However, there are also rumors that Rice’s suspension could be as harsh as half a season. If that were the case, I think the Chiefs should look to add some free agents to hold them over until Rice returns. A veteran receiver could do wonders for this young group, both on and off the field.
My top two free agents would be Tyler Boyd and Zay Jones. Both of these players bring something to the wide receiver room that the team doesn’t really have at the moment. First, they bring at least six years of experience with them. That is more than every receiver on the roster aside from Justin Watson. They are also big body receivers who can play a more physical style of game, which can be very useful in certain situations (third down and medium distance, as well as on the goal line). This might already be the best group of pass catchers that Patrick Mahomes has played with, but another veteran addition would certainly take it over the top.
Insurance Left Tackle
The left tackle position did take a step forward with the addition of Suamataia in the draft. However, that may be a more long-term fix than a 2024 fix. Suamataia is a bit raw and could take time to get his footing in the NFL. The other tackle on the roster, Wanya Morris, is in his second year. Morris started just four games last season.
Trusting either of them to be better than Donovan Smith remains to be seen. Yet if the Chiefs think they need to sure up the position, there are a couple free agents that I like.
Bringing back Donovan Smith would be a seamless addition. He’s the youngest of the options in free agency and had been pretty healthy up until the past couple years. Even if he can only contribute for a couple of months, that would give the other two more time to get acclimated and confident.
The other option I would be happy with is David Bakhtiari. The 11-year veteran was one of the best tackles in the league from 2016-2020. The past couple years he has dealt with major injuries, but he was relatively close to his old self for 11 games in 2022. His injury risk is higher than Smith’s, but his level of play could be higher. If they are asking for the same amount of money, I would rather bring Bakhtiari in for a year. If he stays healthy, the Chiefs could get Pro Bowl caliber left tackle play.
Change of Pace RB3
Isiah Pacheco is an above-average starting running back. His ability to lower his head and run with reckless abandon is a joy to watch. However, that style of play is just asking for injuries to an already fragile position.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire is a fine backup. He offers a bit of everything, including above average pass catching and open field ability. Unfortunately, he has also had a handful of injuries in his four-year career. The only other backs on the roster are guys with very limited experience (Deneric Prince, La’Mical Perine, Keontay Ingram) or none at all (Carson Steele, Emoni Bailey, Louis Rees-Zammit). If the coaching staff feels good enough about one of them to provide some juice behind Pacheco and Edwards-Helaire then great, the room is set. If not, I think there are a couple options that could provide what they need.
The remaining running backs in free agency aren’t great, but an RB3 doesn’t have to be anything special. A couple players worth looking at are Cam Akers and Jerick McKinnon.
We know what McKinnon can do in this offense (800 total yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022). He knows the offense and it would be a seamless fit. However, he is 32 years old and has dealt with a few nagging injuries lately.
Akers isn’t any better in the health department, having played just 30 games over his four year career. What he does bring, however, is youth and pop. His injuries have been more long-term injuries, whereas McKinnon’s have been smaller things that linger throughout the year. They both have their pros and cons, so it really just comes down to what the team prefers from their.
With all of that being said…
I think these players are more like luxury pieces, not necessity for the Chiefs. The second leading wide receiver for the team last season was Watson, who had just 460 yards. That is a number the team’s WR3 could easily eclipse in 2024.
The third leading rusher last season was Perine, who had just 77 rushing yards. Again, that should easily be eclipsed by whoever ends up getting that spot.
Left tackle is probably the most important of these positions. However, they also have two options already on the roster that could be viable starters. I assume there will be a couple significant signings before the season starts, whether it be these positions or not. Regardless, this roster should be Super Bowl contention level with no further signings (of meaning).
