Free Agents

[Couch-Potato]

Ok, ok, I know this is the draft section but I prefer to think of this as the Chief's offseason plans forum. ESPN posted their best fit destinations for the top 75 Free Agents and I thought it would make for interesting conversation here.


ESPN's suggested "best fits" for the Chiefs in Free Agency:


1. Chris Jones, DT
Best team fit: Kansas City Chiefs

A staple of the Chiefs' defensive front, I could see Jones returning to Kansas City on a multiyear deal despite Kansas City's tight cap space. Jones is a game-wrecking talent, with the pass rush versatility to rush inside or outside in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's system. He had 10.5 sacks this season and made an impact in critical moments in the Super Bowl.


11. L'Jarius Sneed, CB
Best team fit: Philadelphia Eagles (Not Chiefs, but relative)

With his scheme-versatile coverage skills, Sneed will generate a ton of interest on the free agent market. Look for Atlanta and Las Vegas to make a play here, too. But I have Sneed landing in Philadelphia to upgrade the position opposite Darius Slay, with Vic Fangio now calling the defense for the Birds. Philly allowed 16 passing touchdowns in the second half of last season, tied for the fourth most in the NFL. The Eagles have to clean up the secondary, and Sneed can make an impact. He has at least two interceptions in each of his four career seasons with the Chiefs.


20. Tyron Smith, OT
Best team fit: Kansas City Chiefs

The availability concerns for Smith are real; he has missed 33 games over the past four seasons with the Cowboys. But when healthy, Smith is a detailed technician with the physical demeanor to win on the edge. And he would absolutely upgrade the left tackle position for the Chiefs, limiting pass-rushers and keeping the throwing platform clean for quarterback Patrick Mahomes.


49. Austin Ekeler, RB
Best team fit: Kansas City Chiefs

With Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon heading to free agency, the Chiefs could sign Ekeler on a short-term deal to work in rotation with Isiah Pacheco. He would give coach Andy Reid a pass-game threat out of 21 personnel with the ability to flex from the backfield. Ekeler caught 51 passes last season with the Chargers and has 440 receptions in his career. Re-signing with the Chargers or joining the Raiders would also be good fits.


Let's use this to kickstart a thread about our preferred Free Agents, who you got?

[MahomesMagic]

Originally Posted by Chris Meck

Lemme 'splain:

Mooney had a 1000 yard season under coach Nagy (our offense) with Turdbiskey at QB.

Then The Bears drafted Fields. Fields sucks.
Mooney got injured, and while out, DJ Moore became the focal point of the downfield passing attack.

Fields isn't a guy that gets to his second read, he just reads one, and either dumps it off short or takes off running.

So DJ Moore gets the lion's share of targets, the TE gets the dump-offs, and Fields runs the rest of the time.

So, Mooney, who is still young, has had a 1000 yard season IN THIS OFFENSE, with Matt Nagy, who's our offensive coordinator. He runs a 4.3. He can fly.

Watch Mooney year 1 as a rookie and he often was running wide open for an easy TD and never got the ball.

He would be a huge value signing in KC as Mahomes would LoVE him.

He runs routes far better than MVS or Mecole but actually can track and fight for a ball. And he’s fast so that is threatening.

We need guys that will punish teams that sit on our short routes.

[Chris Meck]

Originally Posted by MahomesMagic

Watch Mooney year 1 as a rookie and he often was running wide open for an easy TD and never got the ball.

He would be a huge value signing in KC as Mahomes would LoVE him.

He runs routes far better than MVS or Mecole but actually can track and fight for a ball. And he’s fast so that is threatening.

We need guys that will punish teams that sit on our short routes.

The one thing we agree on.

[ForeverChiefs58]

The Chiefs now must quickly turn their attention to bolstering the roster for another deep run in the 2024-25 season. In addition to major names like Chris Jones and L'Jarius Sneed, there are over 20 free agents for the organization that Brett Veach must make decisions on.

With around only $23 million in projected cap space as it stands, it's likely some contracts will be restructured to free up some money, but Veach's task will not be easy.

As we enter the offseason, here's a quick guide for what Chiefs are free agents and which category they fall into, sorted by their average annual value thus far in their careers. Thus, the lower a player is on the list, the less money they've made so far on average.
Chiefs Unrestricted Free Agents:

DT Chris Jones
WR Mecole Hardman
S Mike Edwards
LB Drue Tranquill
LT Donovan Smith
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
P Tommy Townsend
G Nick Allegretti
DE Tershawn Wharton
LS James Winchester
LB Willie Gay Jr.
QB Blaine Gabbert
RB Jerick McKinnon
DT Derrick Nnadi
WR Richie James
TE Blake Bell
S Deon Bush
CB L'Jarius Sneed
DE Mike Danna

That's a lot of names and a lot of important contributors with not a lot of cap space to work with.

Unrestricted free agents are ones who have accrued at least four seasons of NFL service time and are free to negotiate and sign with any team in the league. It's notable that Sneed and Danna are so low on the list, because they've both made under $1 million in average annual value so far in their careers.

Sneed was perhaps the best cornerback in football while Danna compiled 6.5 sacks in an impressive campaign. It's understandable that both would be seeking their first big payday in the NFL, which makes it difficult to convince either to take a hometown discount.
Chiefs Restricted Free Agent:

T Prince Tega Wanogho
TE Jody Fortson
DE Malik Herring

Restricted free agents are players whose contracts have expired but they've only accrued three seasons of service time.

These players can also sign with any team, though the Chiefs can offer a qualifying tender that could result in draft compensation and/or the right of first refusal. Fortson is a fan-favorite who landed on the Injured Reserve list this year, while Herring and Tega Wanogho could be kept as depth pieces.
Chiefs Exclusive Restricted Free Agent:

LB Jack Cochrane
CB Nazeeh Johnson
G Mike Caliendo

An exclusive restricted free agent is a player who has less than three years of accrued service and is no longer under contract.

If the Chiefs choose to tender any of these players, the player will be assigned a one-year contract at the league minimum based on the number of seasons he has completed.
These players are not allowed to negotiate with other teams until Kansas City makes its decision on tenders.

Put everything together and the Chiefs have 25 total free agents, though three of those fall under the exclusive tag. It should be an interesting offseason as Veach and his front office staff make decisions and negotiate with these players.

https://kckingdom.com/posts/full-upd...s-01hpg2e2wcvf

[kcbubb]

With a few RBs having a poor performance at the combine, what do y’all think about AJ Dillon? I know he had a bad year last year but the athletic traits are there. You can see them on this run and he can catch also.

https://youtu.be/4QN_tGHDnus?si=B4RthFMb-ivzvF1R

He’s young at 25 years old and he could be signed cheap, maybe one year at $3.5M, at least according to sportrac.

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/green-ba.../market-value/

Dillion is a unique athlete. Look at his combine numbers. He’d be a great thunder and short yardage back to combine with pachecos speed. Why use draft capital on a RB when we can sign Dillion this cheap and we already have Pacheco?

He’s 6’ and 245 lbs.

40-Yard Dash
4.53
Seconds
10-Yard Split
1.53
Seconds
Vertical Jump
41’’
Broad Jump
10’ 11’’
3-Cone Drill
7.19
Seconds
Bench Press
23
Reps

[Stryker]

Originally Posted by ForeverChiefs58

The Chiefs now must quickly turn their attention to bolstering the roster for another deep run in the 2024-25 season. In addition to major names like Chris Jones and L'Jarius Sneed, there are over 20 free agents for the organization that Brett Veach must make decisions on.

With around only $23 million in projected cap space as it stands, it's likely some contracts will be restructured to free up some money, but Veach's task will not be easy.

As we enter the offseason, here's a quick guide for what Chiefs are free agents and which category they fall into, sorted by their average annual value thus far in their careers. Thus, the lower a player is on the list, the less money they've made so far on average.
Chiefs Unrestricted Free Agents:

DT Chris Jones
WR Mecole Hardman
S Mike Edwards
LB Drue Tranquill
LT Donovan Smith
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
P Tommy Townsend
G Nick Allegretti
DE Tershawn Wharton
LS James Winchester
LB Willie Gay Jr.
QB Blaine Gabbert
RB Jerick McKinnon
DT Derrick Nnadi
WR Richie James
TE Blake Bell
S Deon Bush
CB L'Jarius Sneed
DE Mike Danna

That's a lot of names and a lot of important contributors with not a lot of cap space to work with.

Unrestricted free agents are ones who have accrued at least four seasons of NFL service time and are free to negotiate and sign with any team in the league. It's notable that Sneed and Danna are so low on the list, because they've both made under $1 million in average annual value so far in their careers.

Sneed was perhaps the best cornerback in football while Danna compiled 6.5 sacks in an impressive campaign. It's understandable that both would be seeking their first big payday in the NFL, which makes it difficult to convince either to take a hometown discount.
Chiefs Restricted Free Agent:

T Prince Tega Wanogho
TE Jody Fortson
DE Malik Herring

Restricted free agents are players whose contracts have expired but they've only accrued three seasons of service time.

These players can also sign with any team, though the Chiefs can offer a qualifying tender that could result in draft compensation and/or the right of first refusal. Fortson is a fan-favorite who landed on the Injured Reserve list this year, while Herring and Tega Wanogho could be kept as depth pieces.
Chiefs Exclusive Restricted Free Agent:

LB Jack Cochrane
CB Nazeeh Johnson
G Mike Caliendo

An exclusive restricted free agent is a player who has less than three years of accrued service and is no longer under contract.

If the Chiefs choose to tender any of these players, the player will be assigned a one-year contract at the league minimum based on the number of seasons he has completed.
These players are not allowed to negotiate with other teams until Kansas City makes its decision on tenders.

Put everything together and the Chiefs have 25 total free agents, though three of those fall under the exclusive tag. It should be an interesting offseason as Veach and his front office staff make decisions and negotiate with these players.

https://kckingdom.com/posts/full-upd...s-01hpg2e2wcvf

I believe these guys are gone...

RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
P Tommy Townsend
LB Willie Gay Jr.
QB Blaine Gabbert
RB Jerick McKinnon
WR Richie James
TE Blake Bell
CB L'Jarius Sneed
DE Mike Danna

[LagunaSWana]

What do folks think about D'Andre Swift as a free agent target? Rushed for 1049 yards this year behind a great o-line. Also had 39 receptions. His stats are actually similar to Pacheco's. He's 25 years old. I think he would be a great replacement for CEH and/or McKinnon. Not sure what kind of contract the market will entertain and if he would be in the ballpark for the Chiefs.

[kcbubb]

I like swift. I’d rather have Dillion. I do think swift would be electric in this offense but I think Dillion adds an element that we really lack with power running. Dillion would help us in short yardage and help us run clock at the end of games with power running. Dillion is also a great wr. So, is swift but I feel like Dillion adds an element to our offense that we really need. Pacheco is very explosive and a great wr so we already have some of that chunk play ability with Pacheco. Either way, there are solid free agent options for RBs that could be cheap. I’m not sure I’d draft a rb this year with the cheap free agent rb options available.

[smith11]

two exclusive rights free agents who could add speed and big play ability to wr position--greg dortch of cardinals and rashid shaheed of saints

[Dunerdr]

Originally Posted by kcbubb

I like swift. I’d rather have Dillion. I do think swift would be electric in this offense but I think Dillion adds an element that we really lack with power running. Dillion would help us in short yardage and help us run clock at the end of games with power running. Dillion is also a great wr. So, is swift but I feel like Dillion adds an element to our offense that we really need. Pacheco is very explosive and a great wr so we already have some of that chunk play ability with Pacheco. Either way, there are solid free agent options for RBs that could be cheap. I’m not sure I’d draft a rb this year with the cheap free agent rb options available.

Dillion sucked shit last year.

[Couch-Potato]

Aggressive RB market this offseason!