The Kansas City Chiefs have had a very successful start to NFL free agency.
In the first week, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach brought back Chris Jones to a long-term contract while adding speedy wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown for Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs also retained key rotational pieces like defensive end Tershawn Wharton, safety Deon Bush, and even grabbed a backup tight end with Irv Smith Jr.
Chiefs Free Agency Targets: Players Still Available at Positions of Need
When free agency started, the Chiefs were expected to secure their own talent and add some playmakers for Mahomes. By extending Jones and adding Brown, Kansas City is on pace for an excellent free agency.
Despite some big-time additions, the Super Bowl champs still have positions that need to be addressed. Let’s take a look at those roles and potential targets for those positions.
Veteran Cornerback Like Xavien Howard
It’s quite possible that the Chiefs trade star franchise-tagged cornerback L’Jarius Sneed in the coming weeks leading up to the NFL Draft.
In Kansas City’s quest for a three-peat, bringing in another proven veteran cornerback to replace Sneed makes sense. Insert Xavien Howard.
Howard has played 100 NFL games in eight seasons with the Miami Dolphins and proved to be one of the league’s more dependable corners. He’s four years removed from his career-high 10 interceptions in 2020, but as a veteran option, he can plug a big hole in the Chiefs’ secondary.
Alexander Mattison Can Be Backup for Isiah Pacheco
The Chiefs found a diamond in the rough in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft with Isiah Pacheco. Last season, the dynamic 25-year-old rushed for 935 yards and seven touchdowns while also catching 44 passes.
However, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon are both pending free agents, and Kansas City could look to upgrade their backfield.
Alexander Mattison’s first full season as the primary running back in Minnesota without Dalvin Cook was somewhat underwhelming. He ran for just 700 yards on 180 carries and did not rush for a single touchdown. The Vikings released him, creating an opportunity for the Chiefs to take a swing on a reclamation project of sorts.
Mattison is still just 25 years old and could complement Pacheco nicely if Edwards-Helaire and McKinnon move on.
Bringing Back Donovan Smith Seems Like a No-Brainer
Protecting Mahomes should always be priority No. 1 for the Chiefs, so bringing back left tackle Donovan Smith seems like a no-brainer.
Earlier this year, Smith said his “dream” was to sign with the New York Jets after winning a Super Bowl with Kansas City. For this season, that dream might be dead as the Jets added left tackle Tyron Smith to a one-year contract worth up to $20 million.
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Currently, the only left tackle on the Chiefs’ roster is 2023 third-round pick Wanya Morris. Kansas City signed Donovan Smith last year after spending eight years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and it might be smart to throw him another deal this time around.
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