NFL free company begins with the “legal tampering period” on Monday — and will get into full swing when the brand new league 12 months begins on Wednesday. We’ve already listed a free agent for every of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ defensive positions. Now let’s take into account the group’s offense.
RB Ty Johnson, Buffalo Payments
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I don’t see a beginning operating again within the free-agent pool, so I seemed for an improve over Samaje Perine on third downs.
Johnson — a utility third-down again who can block and catch — could be that. Towards the Detroit Lions final 12 months — a protection centered on man protection — Johnson had 114 receiving yards. He’s extra dynamic than Perine and will give quarterback Patrick Mahomes a greater dump-off possibility.
WR Tim Patrick, Detroit Lions
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Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy symbolize the way forward for Kansas Metropolis’s vast receiver room — so I seemed for an X receiver who can win one-on-one in opposition to man protection, win on downfield performs and run intermediate routes over the center.
Wideouts like Davante Adams may try this at a excessive stage — however I’m unsure that an X receiver is that form of a precedence for the Chiefs. The group wants a participant who can get round 50 catches, 600 yards and a handful of touchdowns. A participant like that’s fairly straightforward to search out.
Patrick may fill this function. Whereas he isn’t the identical participant he was earlier than his Achilles damage, he’s nonetheless a giant vast receiver who can win in opposition to bodily protection and contested catches. He’ll be 32 this season, making him a great bridge to an X receiver taken within the draft. The 2025 class has loads of Day 2 choices that might assist Kansas Metropolis sooner or later.
TE Tyler Conklin, New York Jets
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2025’s tight finish class will not be the category to signal anybody.
So I seemed for an affordable participant who can block when the Chiefs wish to go below middle. That’s one thing Conklin can do.
In actuality, the Chiefs have to draft a good finish.
LT Ronnie Stanley, Baltimore Ravens
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I’ve made an effort to keep away from itemizing star gamers. However at left sort out, I’ve to make an exception. If the Chiefs are going to signal a free-agent left sort out, they need to simply pay Stanley.
I don’t essentially love this concept. Stanley is 31 years outdated — and has a regarding damage historical past. As lately as 2023, he was unable to deal with a full workload; Baltimore was rotating him out and in of video games. Whereas Stanley performed at a top-5 stage final season, the query stays: is that sustainable?
At the back of my thoughts, I can’t recover from a lingering feeling that if the Ravens are letting him go, they know he can now not play at a excessive stage. However after some deliberation, I imagine the Chiefs could haven’t any different selection. This group of free-agent left tackles isn’t going to get Kansas Metropolis very far; I wouldn’t really feel nice concerning the Chiefs paying any of them. So in the event that they must signal one, I feel it’s higher to take an opportunity on a reliable top-5 participant.
If the Chiefs may signal Stanley to a two-year, absolutely assured deal, that may unlock their 2025 draft. Proper now, their two obtrusive wants are at left sort out and operating again — and the latter place will be stuffed in later rounds. With Stanley in place, Kansas Metropolis may go into the draft with a real “best player available” method — one thing it may’t normally do due to the group’s roster wants.
G James Daniels, Pittsburgh Steelers
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Now that the Chiefs have traded left guard Joe Thuney to open up cap house, they’re possible taking a look at cheaper choices there. So Daniels — now coming off an Achilles damage — could be a one-year flier.
When he’s wholesome, Daniels is a very strong starter. He’s a giant, lengthy guard who can mash individuals within the operating recreation, so his acquisition would give the Chiefs two huge, bodily guards who may help them run the ball below middle and between the tackles.
Whereas Daniels will not be a cross protector like Thuney, that may matter much less if Kansas Metropolis can get a strong left sort out. I like the thought of constructing the operating recreation by means of the inside — and protecting a agency pocket. I perceive the damage issues, however Daniels is just 28 — and has a strong observe report. As a one-year swing, I feel he is sensible for the Chiefs.
QB Unknown
If the Chiefs don’t re-sign Carson Wentz as their backup quarterback, it’s anybody’s guess what they may do. We’re speaking a few group that introduced in Chad Henne and Matt Moore as backup quarterbacks.