Dec 23, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid talks with wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (18) during the fourth quarter against the Washington Redskins at Lincoln Financial Field. Th Redskins defeated the Eagles, 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
It is that time of year for rumors and speculation, and Adam Teicher is here to fill that need. Teicher posted this morning a Twitter mailbag which touches on some of the Chiefs key free agent situations as well as the NFL draft. Some of this stuff is not too surprising, or maybe even new, but there is something to be said about someone as plugged in as Teicher making these comments.
Let’s get to it.
First question was about the possibility of the Chiefs going after Jeremy Maclin in free agency. Maclin is coming off knee surgery and may be allowed to test free agency by the Philadelphia Eagles. Here’s what Teicher had to say.
"My only questions about Jeremy Maclin, the former Missouri wide receiver now with the Philadelphia Eagles, are his health and his contract demands. He missed last season because of a torn ACL. The injury happened at camp in July. The Chiefs won’t have a lot of room under their salary cap so I don’t see them winning any bidding wars for free agents like Maclin. But if he will be ready when the regular season begins and he would come at a salary that’s comfortable to the Chiefs, then there’s no downside. He will turn 26 in May, and he’s an accomplished receiver with experience in Andy Reid’s system."
One could easily assume if the Chiefs sign Maclin then there is likely no way the Chiefs would bring back pending free agent Dexter McCluster. But if the Chiefs cannot sign Maclin, what does Teicher say about the possibility of a McCluster return?
"I don’t see room for both Weston Dressler, the receiver the Chiefs signed out of the CFL, and Dexter McCluster (DMC), who is a potential unrestricted free agent. They are small players with the same skill set. One would play and the other would have nothing to do. So Dressler’s signing could be an indication the Chiefs don’t plan to re-sign McCluster. But the Chiefs gave Dressler no bonus money. He costs nothing to bring to camp and take a look at. If they don’t like him at that point, they could cut him with no salary cap ramifications. It will be interesting to see how this situation resolves itself."
Teicher sort of covers himself by adding the Dressler signing bonus bit, but it would seem there is not enough room to have both Dressler and McCluster on the roster given their skill sets. Since the Chiefs will not know what they have in Dressler until closer to the season, it would seem likely McCluster is going to be a free agent on March 11.
Finally, Teicher gives his thoughts on the draft. He thinks the Chiefs should go after a wide receiver.
"You could argue that they have greater immediate needs at other positions (defensive end, inside linebacker, free safety) and I might agree. But immediate needs are best filled through free agency. The draft is about building your team for the long term and the Chiefs’ long-term prospects at wide receiver are bleak. Dwayne Bowe had the worst season of his career last year and will be 30 in September. Their other veteran wide receivers are complementary players. So to me, if there’s a receiver available when the Chiefs pick in the first round whom they really like and believe will eventually develop into a top player, I think it’s a mistake for them to pass on him."
You can read Teicher’s entire mailbag at ESPN.com.