5 veteran free agents who could still help the Chiefs

It is a great time of yr. The draft has come and gone, rookie minicamp is within the rearview mirror and NFL groups are usually set with their rosters.

However there are nonetheless a lot of high-level veterans obtainable available on the market. Do you know Odell Beckham Jr. has but to signal with a workforce? Duane Brown, Jarvis Landry, Julio Jones and Larry Ogunjobi can be found, too.

That is the time of yr when Tremendous Bowl contenders are likely to signal gamers who will give you an enormous play or two all through their playoff runs.

It was round this time a yr in the past that the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs re-signed Andrew Wylie and traded for Mike Hughes. Earlier than the 2020 season, they signed Kelechi Osemele to a 1-year contract in late July. Morris Claiborne was signed to a 1-year deal in early August of 2019.

These strikes labored — to various levels, in fact.

Gamers obtainable at this level within the offseason are usually unsigned for a motive. Some are ready for the “proper” alternative, whereas others are coping with nagging accidents.

However all of them have one thing stopping a deal.

There may be one apparent connection to the Chiefs. By now, you’ve most likely learn a lot about James Bradberry, a former Professional Bowl cornerback who was simply launched by the New York Giants. With out query, he’s at present the highest free-agent match obtainable to the Chiefs.

However at what value? And are the Chiefs keen to get in a possible bidding conflict for a 29-year previous cornerback who has proven indicators of decline? Given Veach’s historical past with growing old gamers, it appears unlikely.

Extra doubtless, Veach would take a look at his remaining choices on the free-agent marketplace for a extra team-friendly deal. So if not Bradberry… then who?

Let’s have a look.

5. Edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney

I do know… I do know. The Chiefs drafted a first-round edge rusher. All indicators level to Melvin Ingram’s eventual return. Frank Clark took a pay minimize to remain in Kansas Metropolis. Do the Chiefs actually need so as to add one other veteran to that room? Perhaps not. Nevertheless it’s a place group and not using a star — and Clowney is the uncommon participant who has the power to be that type of performer.

There appear to be 4 edge rushers locked in for the Chiefs opening week roster: Clark, Ingram, rookie George Karlaftis and Mike Danna. Joshua Kaindoh might be the favourite to be the fifth man in that rotation.

Clowney would function an improve to that group. However would he be keen to affix a workforce the place he’s no higher than the third go rusher? It appears unlikely.

If the Chiefs need to add an edge rusher, the extra doubtless choices is likely to be Trey Flowers or Jerry Hughes. If the value is correct, any of the three might make sense.

Projected Contract: 1 yr, $8 million with $5 million in not-likely-to-be-earned incentives

4. Cornerback Joe Haden

All the arguments for signing Bradberry additionally apply to Haden, who’s a restricted participant at this level in his profession. He’s getting up there in age (33 years previous) — and final season, his ball manufacturing was in steep decline: six passes defended and no interceptions in 12 video games.

That mentioned, he can nonetheless carry some worth to a protection. He’s as good a nook as you’ll discover within the league — and so long as he has assist excessive, he can nonetheless get the job completed in zone protection. The Chiefs might do a heck of quite a bit worse than a nickel protection that includes Trent McDuffie, L’Jarius Sneed and Haden at nook.

Haden might additionally function a strong veteran presence in a room that at present lacks one. Essentially the most skilled cornerbacks on the roster are Lonnie Johnson and Rashad Fenton.

The most important holdup with signing Haden is his place. At this level in his profession, he’s extra of a slot nook than an outdoor participant. Are the Chiefs comfy enjoying Sneed outdoors, or is he higher within the slot? That’s the kind of factor that would put the kibosh on signing Haden.

Projected Contract: 1 yr, $5 million

3. Huge receiver Will Fuller V

The Chiefs have been greater than keen to present second (or third) possibilities to former first-round draft picks and different high-level performers. Look no additional than their present vast receiver corps, which incorporates former celebrity Josh Gordon and former first-round choose Corey Coleman.

It’s not exhausting to think about Fuller having a bit of one thing left within the tank. However he doesn’t come with out warts.

In his first 4 seasons, Fuller missed 22 video games with accidents. He missed the ultimate 5 video games of 2020 (and the primary recreation of 2021) with a PED suspension — after which he missed Week 2 with a “private problem.” He made his Dolphins debut in Week 3, performed once more in Week 4… after which missed the remainder of the season with a damaged finger. He completed the yr with 4 receptions for 26 yards.

Not nice.

A suspension and a complete lot of accidents clarify why this 28-year-old former first-round vast receiver stays unsigned. However there are additionally loads of the reason why he ought to be signed — and why he can nonetheless be a productive participant for whichever workforce takes an opportunity on him.

Fuller is unbelievably quick. I imply… actually quick. He ran a 4.32 40 on the NFL Mix — and that velocity exhibits up in his recreation. The one vast receivers to common extra yards per reception than Fuller since he entered the league in 2016 are Kenny Golladay, Mike Williams, Julio Jones, Mike Evans and T.Y. Hilton (minimal 200 receptions). His 9.2 profession yards per goal matches Tee Higgins and Cooper Kupp. When wholesome, Fuller is a really productive participant. Sadly, that’s been the large caveat all through his profession.

The overwhelming chances are Fuller gained’t value a lot. He’s on the lookout for a one-year prove-it deal. He would have a really particular function within the Chiefs offense — just like those DeSean Jackson has crammed within the latter phases of his profession. He would doubtless battle Justyn Ross, Daurice Fountain, Gordon and Coleman for the ultimate vast receiver spots on the roster. This wouldn’t be a signing for want, however fairly one for luxurious.

Projected Contract: 1 yr, $3 million with $7 million in not-likely-to-be-earned incentives

2. Nostril deal with Akiem Hicks

Do you want nostril tackles who’ve the power to stuff the run and still have some juice to hurry the passer? I certain do. Hicks suits that invoice.

From 2015 via 2018, Hicks was one of many league’s greatest inside rushers. Accidents and age have taken their toll, however he nonetheless has greater than sufficient capability to make an impression as a job participant alongside the inside. He’s additionally an extremely enjoyable character man who might slot in seamlessly with Chris Jones and Derrick Nnadi.

Hicks might fill an analogous function to the one Jarran Reed crammed in 2021. The Chiefs have improved their edge-rushing scenario with Karlaftis, but it surely doesn’t really feel like they’re completed including gamers alongside the inside.

1. Defensive deal with Ndamukong Suh

I’ve satisfied myself that Suh is the right match for Kansas Metropolis. Suh is on the “ring chasing” level of his profession. He’s made his cash. Now it’s about performing some profitable. And he’s nonetheless a reasonably darn productive participant, too.

Suh gathered 12 sacks, 32 quarterback hits and 16 tackles for loss over the previous two seasons in Tampa Bay. The one defensive tackles with extra sacks throughout that stretch are Aaron Donald, Chris Jones, DeForest Buckner and Cam Heyward. For quarterback hits throughout that interval, solely Grady Jarrett and Jonathan Allen notched greater than Suh.

The ethical of the story? Suh can nonetheless play.

Defensive deal with can also be one of many solely positions at which the Chiefs might clearly use an improve. It’s additionally a one and not using a current excessive draft choose that Suh can be stopping from seeing enjoying time.

Once they signed Reed final yr, the Chiefs clearly noticed worth in including a veteran inside rusher. Suh’s function can be comparable: becoming a member of Jones on the inside to wreak havoc on passing downs.

Projected Contract: 1 yr, $5 million