In recent seasons, the Kansas City Chiefs have been in roster-maintenance mode each offseason, usually shortened by their Super Bowl appearances. The team has focused on finding ways to sustain that success year over year.
This offseason feels different. It’s time for some serious roster churn.
The Chiefs clearly view it similarly. It began with the release of defensive end Mike Danna and right tackle Jawaan Taylor, then continued with the trade of cornerback Trent McDuffie. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes
has already restructured his deal to boost cap space. Offensive linemen Trey Smith, Creed Humphrey and defensive tackle Chris Jones are three other logical restructure candidates in the event the Chiefs need up to $30 million more in cap room.
That might be necessary, because the Chiefs currently have needs at running back, wide receiver, defensive end, defensive tackle, safety and Nickel corner. It’s a long list, but Kansas City has equipped itself with ample draft capital and spending funds.
Anything the Chiefs do in free agency will have a domino effect on the draft. With the frenzy starting in just a few days, let’s break down some of the most logical free agent options for Kansas City:
Running Backs
- Tier 1: Kenneth Walker III
- Tier 2: Travis Etienne
- Tier 3: Rico Dowdle, Tyler Allgeier
- Tier 4: Rachaad White, J.K. Dobbins, Kenneth Gainwell
I would be shocked if the Chiefs come out of free agency without signing one of the seven players listed above, and I may even say that when narrowing the list to the foursome of Walker, Etienne, Dowdle or Allgeier. They’re the only backs able to provide the necessary upside at the position to be a difference maker by Week 1.
Walker is clearly the top option available, and he is expected to be paid accordingly. Etienne should be slightly discounted from Walker, with Dowdle and Allgeier serving as more of the budget-friendly options. The Athletic is projecting a 4-year, $52 million deal for Walker, 3 years and $37 million for Etienne, 2 years and $14 million for Dowdle and one year for $5 million for Allgeier.
Any of the four options would be adequate, but Etienne serves as the best fit for the level of value the Chiefs are seeking. One thing to keep in mind is that signing either Walker or Etienne would likely remove Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love from their list of options with the ninth-overall pick.
Wide Receivers
- Tier 1: Mike Evans
- Tier 2: Jauan Jennings, Romeo Doubs, Rashid Shaheed
- Tier 3: Jalen Nailor, Tyquan Thornton
- Other: Tyreek Hill
There may not be one legitimate go-to player on the market, but there are a lot of solid complementary options. 33-year old Mike Evans is the one exception if you’re willing to bet on his health, but he is likely to command the most money of the options listed above, an estimated value of $20-25 million per season.
Shaheed and Nailor are the classic burner options who could fill a similar role to Thornton’s last year in Kansas City. Jennings and Doubs are both bigger receivers who can win on the line of scrimmage and fill a variety of receiver roles.
And then there’s Tyreek Hill, who probably belongs in the Evans category, but is a complete wild card off the field, and that’s to say nothing of the catastrophic knee injury he’s attempting to bounce back from at 32 years old. It would be a risky signing, but the downsides to the move may subside the closer the agreement is to the 2026 season.
Wide receiver shouldn’t be such a significant need for this team, but Rashee Rice has proven untrustworthy long-term, leaving the position in need of significant investments soon. My favorite outcome here is Jennings or Doubs signing a multi-year deal in the range of $13-15 million per season with the Chiefs.
Edge Rushers
- Tier 1: Trey Hendrickson
- Tier 2: Jaelan Phillips
- Tier 3: Boye Mafe, Khalil Mack, Cameron Jordan, Kwity Paye
- Tier 4: Dre’Mont Jones, A.J. Epenesa, Joseph Ossai
If we’re being honest in our wish lists, former Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson is not a realistic option for the Chiefs. It’s fun to dream about, but I think he’s going to price himself out of the possibility at 31 years old.
Jaelan Phillips would be the top option on the board. It speaks to this free-agent class that the top edge-rushing option has 28 career sacks and has missed as many games as he’s played over the past three seasons. He’s talented, he’s young and can hold up against the run. Those qualities are likely to get him paid in free agency.
The more realistic edge rushers are in the third and fourth tiers. Mafe, Paye or Ossai would be bets on upside. Mack and Jordan are your classic veteran, mercenary stop-gap players similar to former Chiefs’ midseason acquisitions Melvin Ingram or Terrell Suggs. Jones and Epenesa can play inside and out, but the pass-rush upside is limited.
To me, the most likely addition is Mafe. Coming off contributing to a Super Bowl victory at 27 years old, he’s someone Kansas City has reportedly coveted in the past. If his market gets too inflated, a pivot to Jordan would be a welcome move. He can be a solid piece of the Chiefs’ rotation, and the cost won’t be prohibitive.
Defensive Tackles
- Tier 1: John Franklin-Myers
- Tier 2: Da’Shawn Hand, Khyiris Tonga, Roy Lopez
- Tier 3: Sebastian Joseph-Day, Tim Settle
It’s past time for the Chiefs to invest in the interior defensive line. Franklin-Myers will likely require too much investment for Veach’s liking, but adding one of Hand, Tonga or Lopez should come at an extremely reasonable cost. A potential signing of Tonga and Lopez could solve the nose-tackle position next to Chris Jones for the next few years.
This offseason will be a bit of a choose-your-own-adventure. There’s only so much money to go around, and each big signing pushes another position’s budget down. A position like defensive back — one we left out, but feel could be just as likely to add via free agency — may be overlooked and stocked through the draft.
This free agency period is going to feel different than previous years. The Chiefs aren’t hampered by a franchise tag, and there is no uncertainty with a possible long-term extension any longer. The money is there, the needs are evident and the market is ready.
