Kansas
2024 Kansas City Chiefs free agents: Targets, draft needs and more as free agency nears
Coming off of their third Super Bowl win in five years, the Kansas City Chiefs will have some roster decisions to make as the new league year approaches.
The back-to-back champs have 19 players set to hit unrestricted free agency, including several of its top performers on the defensive sides of the ball. Among them are defensive lineman (and the team’s 2023 co-leader in sacks) Chris Jones as well as starting cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, who led the team in passes defended and interceptions.
Though the Chiefs are currently 16th in the NFL in cap space – according to Over the Cap – there will be some significant roster changes to come as free agents join and depart ahead of the NFL Draft.
Here’s everything to know about Kansas City’s free agency situation.
NFL dynasty? Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs leave no doubt after third Super Bowl trip in five years
2024 Kansas City free agents
Unrestricted free agents
In order of percentage of snaps played, per Over the Cap:
- CB L’Jarius Sneed
- EDGE Mike Danna
- IDL Chris Jones
- OT Donovan Smith
- LB Willie Gay, Jr.
- S Mike Edwards
- LB Drue Tranquill
- IDL Derrick Nnadi
- IDL Tershawn Wharton
- P Tommy Townsend
- LS James Winchester
- RB Jerick McKinnon
- TE Blake Bell
- RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
- WR Mecole Hardman
- WR Richie James
- IOL Nick Allegretti
- QB Blaine Gabbert
- S Deon Bush
- OT Prince Tega Wanogho
- LB Darius Harris
Restricted/exclusive rights free agents
- LB Jack Cochrane
- EDGE Malik Herring
- IOL Mike Caliendo
- LB Cole Christiansen
- S Nazeeh Johnson
- TE Jody Fortson
Potential Chiefs NFL Draft targets
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY: Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
Middlehurst-Schwartz writes, “[Franklin’s] deep speed and run-after-catch ability would add vital explosiveness to a passing attack that has grown far too stale.”
Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Sikkema writes, “Coleman’s… an incredibly gifted athlete, but his game lacks consistent separation. Still, his talent level is too high for a team like the Chiefs — who desperately need an alpha X receiver — to pass up.”
Garrett Podell, CBS Sports: T’Vondre Sweat, DL, Texas
Podell writes, “Sweat is dominator against the run as his primary value is stuffing the middle of the line of scrimmage.”
Chad Reuter, NFL.com: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State (trade up to pick 25)
Reuter writes, “Selecting receiver Rashee Rice last year in the second round was a nice start, but the Chiefs’ inconsistency at the position could force them to trade up for another top-tier talent.”
Damian Parson, The Draft Network: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Parson writes, “Rashee Rice has proven to be a WR1 in the making for the Chiefs, but he needs help. Xavier Worthy is a quick route-runner with immense explosiveness and speed.”
When does NFL free agency begin?
March 11: The NFL’s legal tampering period begins at noon ET. According to the NFL’s official operations website, this is when teams are allowed to begin negotiating contracts with players that are set to become free agents.
March 13: NFL free agency officially begins at 4 p.m. ET. All contracts that end after the 2023 season expire, and teams and players are allowed to execute new contracts. This includes deals agreed to during the tampering period becoming official.
When is the 2024 NFL Draft?
Where: Campus Marius Park at Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan
When: April 25-27, 2024
Cable TV: ESPN, ABC, NFL Network
Streaming: NFL+; ESPN+; fuboTV
How to watch: Catch this year’s NFL Draft with a Fubo subscription
Kansas
Kansas City man sentenced for cocaine trafficking, possession of illegal firearm
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A Kansas City man was sentenced in federal court for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy and possession of an illegal firearm.
According to the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri, 22-year-old Antoine R. Gillum was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole.
His sentencing stems from a June 2024 incident in a metro gas station. KCPD investigators contacted Gillum inside and found that he had discarded a 9 mm pistol in an aisle between the merchandise. He also discarded a pill bottle containing multiple illegal substances: cocaine base, oxycodone/acetaminophen and oxycodone.
Officers searched the vehicle Gillum had arrived in and found approximately 32 grams of cocaine base.
On May 6, 2025, Gillum pleaded guilty to one count each of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Jennings. It’s a part of ‘Operation Take Back America,’ a nationwide Department of Justice initiative to eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
No further information has been released.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
Kansas
Deadly 4-car crash kills 2 people, injures others in Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A crash near a busy highway killed two people and injured two others.
Emergency crews responded to the crash at U.S. 71 Highway and Meyer Boulevard around 12:40 p.m. on Monday, March 2.
When crews arrived they determined four cars were involved in the crash.
Police are investigating how the crash happened.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
Kansas
Homegrown Jayhawk stars ready to shine at Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City
LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) – As Kansas women’s basketball prepares to enter the postseason at the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City, they’ll be led by two Overland Park natives who have been two of the most electrifying players to watch in the country this year.
Junior guard S’Mya Nichols and freshman forward Jaliya Davis have played integral roles in the recent growth of the program. Both cite the desire to help grow the Jayhawks into something special as reasons for committing there.
“Where we wanted to take Kansas women’s basketball, I wanted to be a part of that growing evolution,” Nichols told KCTV5.
“We [my family] were also really big Jayhawk fans. We came to a lot of games,” Davis said about her childhood.
The two were both 5-star recruits in high school, and their commitments marked historic recruiting victories for the KU women’s basketball program.
First came Nichols in the Class of 2023, picking KU over Tennessee and Oklahoma.
“I genuinely wanted to go to Kansas,” she said.
Then Davis became the highest-rated player to ever commit to KU as part of the Class of 2025.
“When you go back to S’Mya Nichols being a local, Kansas City, Overland Park product, a nationally respected player, Jaliya was really the next one that was very important for the Jayhawks to keep home,” said head coach Brandon Schneider.
Now as a junior, Nichols has established herself as one of the most consistent scorers and physical guards in the nation.
But it’s the Shawnee Mission West’s alum’s leadership that defines her legacy in Lawrence.
“The team leader, the quarterback,” Coach Schneider described Nichols. “I think oftentimes the player that everybody looks up to off the court.”
“I mean it means everything. Knowing that I’m important to the team, and that they see me as that as well,” said Nichols with a smile.
Both Nichols and Davis were recruited by the Jayhawks for years, going all the way back to seventh grade.
“Well, we offered her in middle school,’ Coach Schneider said with a laugh about Davis.
“Oh he put in a lot of work,” laughed Davis. “I mean, obviously, seventh grade, that’s a long time.”
It was that dedication from Coach Schneider that led her to choose the Jayhawks over Texas, South Carolina, Baylor, and Oklahoma – where he dad played ball.
“I think it really was the relationship we had and grew. He was always there, every single one of my games,” Davis said about Schneider.
After just one practice as teammates, Nichols voiced a big belief about Davis into existence – and it’s probably going to come true.
“I saw her first practice, and I sent her a text, and I’m like ‘I think you can win Freshman of the Year’, and I still stand by that,”
Davis is averaging 21.0 points per game, and has been named the Big 12 Freshman of the Week for eight weeks in a row. That sets a power conference all-time record.
“I think it’s really cool. I mean obviously it’s a team effort, they’re always looking for me,” Davis said about her historic accomplishment.
“Just a phenomenal stretch of basketball for her, and so well deserving,” said Coach Schneider.
Now these two homegrown stars are at the forefront of a late-season push to earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament. Right now, CBS Sports bracketology has them as a ‘First Four Out’ team.
But a few wins in the Big 12 Tournament could certainly help seal their invite to the big dance.
“Obviously we’re not in the position that we were hoping to be in, but I think we can make the most out of it, and get to where we want to be,” Davis said about the opportunity at hand in the Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City.
The Overland Park kids are especially fired up about starting the postseason in their own backyard.
“I have a big support system. So I bet my family will take a big chunk of that area during that tournament,” Davis laughed.
“I remember being younger, and the College Basketball Experience is right next door. So I felt like at one moment that was the big stage, when I got to play my little AAU tournaments in there. And then all of a sudden I’m literally in T-Mobile Center on the actual big stage, so it’s pretty cool,” said Nichols.
The Jayhawks are the 11-seed in the Big 12 Tournament, and will face 14-seed UCF in the first round on Wednesday at 8:00 p.m.
Copyright 2026 KCTV. All rights reserved.
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