Where Free Agency Stands Heading Into the New League Year

Who's gone? Who's available? Whom could the Chiefs target?

The flurry of NFL moves we’ve seen over the past few days (the legal tampering period) is a precursor to the start of the new league year, which starts at 3 p.m. CST today. At that point, the 2022 NFL season is open for business. Moves we’ve heard reports of all week can become official as soon as this afternoon.

As this article is being written, the Chiefs have made two deals, with fullback Michael Burton and Texans safety Justin Reid. Burton is back on what is believed to be a vet-minimum deal, while Kansas City reportedly inked Reid to a three-year, $31.5 million contract.

There are still several moves to be made as the Chiefs look to fill holes on their roster leading up to the NFL Draft. The more addressed before the draft, the better.

As we sit today, here are the free-agency moves that have affected the Chiefs at key positions, and who is still available in areas of need.

Wide Receiver

The market was sent into a state of shock when former Arizona Cardinal receiver Christian Kirk received a contract from the Jacksonville Jaguars with an APY (annual per year) of $18 million.

Amari Cooper and his $20 million APY contract was traded to the Cleveland Browns.

No big dominoes have fallen since.

The Chiefs appear to be hot in the wide receiver market. The names popping up? Pittsburgh’s Juju Smith-Schuster (who broke Andy Reid’s heart by choosing to return to the Steelers), Chicago’s Allen Robinson, and the recently released Jarvis Landry, who was let go by the Browns.

Smith-Schuster and Landry both operate best from the slot and add more consistency in the short-to-intermediate — an area where the Chiefs could use help as teams sell out to keep a lid on their explosive offense.

Robinson fits a different role than Smith-Schuster and Landry — he profiles as an X-type.

Robinson is coming off a down year with the Bears, but went over 1,100 yards receiving the two seasons prior. Patrick Mahomes would easily be the best quarterback he’s played, and the pressure is off significantly with Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce on the field.

Right Tackle

There have been more additions than subtractions to the right tackle market in the last few days.

The Chargers released veteran Bryan Bulaga, the Bills released Daryl Williams, and the Texans released Marcus Cannon.

There’s value to be had to address the only real question mark spot along the offensive line. A lot of veterans are flooded on the market, and perhaps one of them is more interested in winning than one final payday.

There’s also Andrew Wylie, who had a successful contract year with the Chiefs — earning an opportunity to play at right tackle and performing admirably. He has yet to find a new home for 2022 (and perhaps beyond).

The Chiefs are in a good position to play this market out, but they need a veteran presence. With Lucas Niang coming off injury and his status in question for the beginning of the year, they can’t afford to not have a ready-to-play tackle.

It must be addressed, but doesn’t have to immediately. They can find quality once the dust clears.

Defensive End

The arms race in the AFC West is real. Every team not named the Chiefs has made a sizeable investment in their pass rush. The Chargers traded for Chicago’s Khalil Mack, the Raiders extended Maxx Crosby with a big contract, and Denver pried Randy Gregory away from the Dallas Cowboys.

Former Chiefs defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah secured a 4 year/$65 million contract extension with Dolphins — removing one potential target before he hit the market.

Good news for the Chiefs is that they were able to re-work Frank Clark’s contract to allow him to stay for not much more than the cost of cutting him. Regardless of what you think about him, retaining him without much additional investment is a fine move.

Merely retaining Clark is obviously not enough to address the position. The Chiefs have to get better. If they’re going to, they likely have to buck recent trends and pay an aging player.

The premier pass rushers available, Von Miller and Chandler Jones, are both comfortably over the age of 30.

♛Chandler Jones @chanjones55

Such a fun process, it’s gettin real tho! Sleep well tweeps! Ttys 😊

As expected, pass rusher Za’Darius Smith was released by the Packers. Coming off an injury that saw him miss most of the season, his market will be fascinating to monitor. Smith presents a tier below Jones and Miller, but still a sizeable improvement to the Chiefs’ ability to affect the passer.

There’s still quality players to be had, but they’re aging, and won’t come cheap.

If the Chiefs can secure a high-priced pass rusher, the idea of one of them, Clark, a draft pick, and perhaps the return of Melvin Ingram would be substantial group.

Cornerback

There’s been movement in the defensive back market. Targets we’d hoped the Chiefs would be in on are off the board. Patriots cornerback J.C. Jackson is in the AFC West, but the wrong team — signing with Los Angeles Chargers. Carlton Davis signed a sizeable deal to return to Tampa Bay.

Charvarius Ward is the first loss of the offseason for the Chiefs.

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter

Former Chiefs’ CB Charvarius Ward intends to sign a three-year deal worth up to $42 million including $26.7 million guaranteed with the San Francisco 49ers, his agency @UniSportsMgmt told ESPN.

He secured a big contract with the San Francisco 49ers worth up to $14 million APY. Kansas City will now look to replace a substantial amount of their snaps at the cornerback spot.

As with defensive end, some of the better, more consistent options that could replicate Ward’s performance last year are over the age of 30. And even then, it will be the biggest expense Brett Veach has made at cornerback. He’s still yet to spend more than $3 million APY on a player.

Stephon Gilmore is the best veteran cornerback available right now. His play has fallen off, but would still be a quality addition to the secondary.

There are big names like Patrick Peterson, Xavier Rhodes, Janoris Jenkins, and A.J. Bouye (the latter two recently released) that aren’t what they used to be but would be a veteran presence this room badly needs. While they probably can’t replicate what Ward was able to do, they can provide stability.

Safety

As we mentioned, the Chiefs made their biggest investment to date at safety with Reid. They were right to act quickly. The safety market has been hot. Multi-year contracts over $9 million APY have been handed out to Quandre Diggs (Seattle), Marcus Maye (Saints), Marcus Williams (Ravens), and Reid (Chiefs).

That leaves one big name left without a deal.

Ian Rapoport @RapSheet

Former #Chiefs team MVP and Pro Bowl S Tyrann Mathieu is the last and best safety standing, by far the top at his position.

With contracts being handed out at the position, it’s bizarre that Mathieu has yet to get a deal. Coming into the year, the expectations were that he’d get top of the market in free agency. No safety has come close to that. It doesn’t seem like the Honey Badger will either.

The Chiefs obviously spent at safety already, but perhaps the door isn’t completely shut on Mathieu’s return to Kansas City. If the market isn’t there for him, maybe the sides can come to terms. It’s clear that this has been an emotional process, but it’s been maintained that there is appreciation and admiration on both sides. Perhaps that ultimately prevails if Mathieu’s market doesn’t materialize.