Chiefs Free Agency: The Week-In-Review
5. S Ron Parker
Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
Ron Parker came to Kansas City as part of the “Waiver Seven” in September of 2013. His fate at that point in his career had taken him through three NFL cities (he was thrice cut by the Seattle Seahawks). He had a non-descript 2013 campaign in Kansas City. Last year, he finished with an interception, a forced fumble, a sack, 12 passes defensed, and 94 stops. That performance netted him a new contract — the richest for any undrafted safety in the history of the league. Twitter raged about the signing and assailed the Chiefs’ front office for such a bloated contract. The actual contract numbers changed everything.
Tell me if you still think Parker’s overpaid:
That “$6 million dollar annual average” is misleading, isn’t it? His cap hit only meets or exceeds that number in the final two years of the deal. The Chiefs are only wed to Parker for two years. Were Dorsey to cut him after the 2016 season, it’d come with over $2 million in cap savings. Hard to argue with retaining a player you helped become a viable defensiveback in the NFL with this kind of contract.
6. ILB Josh Mauga
Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
A week ago, Josh Mauga was slated to become an unrestricted free agent. The Chief released inside linebacker Joe Mays after just one season. Derrick Johnson is reportedly on the mend and looking good in training videos, but there was still very little security at the position. It’s tough to know if he’ll return to form after an Achilles injury. The Chiefs needed some continuity there. Mauga provides that after filling in admirably in 2013. He was a serviceable, albeit unspectacular, ILB for the Chiefs last year. His biggest problem is consistency. There were several games where he made a noticeable impact in run support. In others, he got caught out of position and was responsible for a handful of big plays on the ground. He’s generally reliable about his defensive assignments, but he’s good for an average of about one missed tackle per contest. He may not be a long-term option next to DJ, but he’s a competent stop-gap for the time being.
7. WR Jason Avant
Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports
Dorsey also retained the rights to veteran receiver Jason Avant. This signing is arguably the least noteworthy, but may prove to be the most invaluable. 2012 was the last time he performed as anything other than a WR4. Avant will be 32 before the season starts and his best days are unquestionably behind him. There’s still something to be said about having a seasoned football player in the fold who knows Andy Reid’s offense. That’s something that can aid a group of young wide receivers still trying to grasp the concept of Reid’s west coast offense. Having a quality example to follow can be vital to the growth of an unproven wideout. Albert Wilson, Da’Rick Rogers, and perhaps a 2015 draftee all fit into that category. Avant is also a solid route runner with sticky hands. He’s the possession receiver the Chiefs need in crucial third down situations. Especially now Dwayne Bowe’s no longer on the team.
I’d love to hear your thoughts about the first full week of free agency for the Kansas City Chiefs. Has the front office made significant strides at filling the holes on this roster or is there work still to be done? Does Dorsey’s haul in the first wave of free agency give them more flexibility in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft? Use the comment section below to let us know what you think. As always, we appreciate your readership and support.
Until next time, Addicts!