Can the Chiefs really take Jeremiyah Love? How free agency changes draft strategy
Examining the cause and effect of the Chiefs free agency approach
The Kansas City Chiefs are embarking on the biggest offseason they have had in the Patrick Mahomes era — one with a variety of tough decisions that must be made about the current core and future core of this team after a failed season in 2025.
It will not be an easy task, with the team currently over the 2026 salary cap by more than $50 million. It will require saying goodbye to pieces of an old core, some restructuring, and perhaps even some bold decisions surrounding players with contracts nearing expiration.
This offseason, general manager Brett Veach will be challenged more than ever to have what he wants to come out of free agency with: a roster that is ready to play in week one regardless of how the draft plays out.
Even though he doesn’t want to rely on his draft class too heavily in their first year, the team has premium draft capital for the first time since Andy Reid’s first year in Kansas City. Their natural pick sits ninth on the board, and they will have an opportunity to inject some young talent into this team and help them get back to reclaim their form as the AFC’s best.
The Chiefs won’t want to be pigeon holed into having to take a specific position with that ninth pick, but what they do in free agency could truly alter how they are able to approach the draft on both sides of the ball.
I examined the needs of the offense, and what free agent moves could affect how the Chiefs approach their draft strategy come April.
Quarterback
The Chiefs are in a tough situation with determining the timeline of the return of their starting quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. Can they operate as if he will be back week one or do they need to make arrangements to have someone in place they can win with immediately?
That doesn’t scream “rookie quarterback” regardless.
It would be a surprise to see the Chiefs use a draft pick on a quarterback. Especially since they don’t have many picks and haven’t historically carried three quarterbacks on their roster in the regular season. It would be difficult to keep the free agent they must sign and a draft pick on the roster.
Prediction: Gardner Minshew is back on another one year deal
Running Back
The most consequential free agency decision on the offensive side of the ball for the Chiefs might be the running back room.
