Chiefs roster: A look ahead at the offseason

Key:

UFA (Unrestricted Free Agent) – If not re-signed by March 15, player is free to sign with any NFL team.  Any player with four or more accrued seasons.

RFA (Restricted Free Agent) – Team can place a compensation price on a player.  Other teams may sign the player but have to pay the compensation to the current team.  Only eligible to use on players with three or fewer accrued seasons.

ERFA (Exclusive Rights Free Agent) – Team can essentially claim this player at the league minimum and block any other teams from talking to him.  Only eligible to use on players with two or fewer accrued seasons, meaning only Undrafted Free Agents or players who were cut one year into their original contract and then signed as a Free Agent by current team.

Backfield

Chase Daniel – Quarterback – UFA:  If Chase Daniel is re-signed, then that means something has to give with Tyler Bray and Aaron Murray.  If the Chiefs don’t feel confident enough in either of them to move on from Daniel, then both would need to go.  Even still, I don’t see that as strong justification on keeping Daniel rather than using a high pick on a quarterback.

Charcandrick West – Running Back – ERFA:  Yeah, so this is a no-brainer.  I don’t see any way that the Chiefs are letting West walk away when they can retain him for so little.  I expect the Chiefs will look for some kind of an extension here, so it will be interesting to see whether or not Chark decides to bet on himself.

Receivers

Jason Avant – Wide Receiver – UFA:  The effects of Avant’s presence on this roster aren’t measured in his own stats, but rather in those of the young wide receivers that are starting to step up.  That is especially true of Albert Wilson who plays like a younger (and faster) Avant.  However, that development of the younger guys also means that Avant’s job is largely done in KC.  I expect the Chiefs will either look for a young prospect or a more talented veteran to take his spot.

Demetrius Harris – Tight End – ERFA:  Well, the Chiefs stole some of my thunder here by already re-signing Harris.  I approve of the move.  In fact, I was really looking forward to some of the reactions that I figured would be coming.  So, here is what I originally wrote about Harris:  A lot of fans have been frustrated with Demetrius Harris this year.  However, Harris has always been a project player, and the Chiefs have a chance to keep him on for one more year of development on the cheap.  Meanwhile, he is showing signs of development.  His route running and blocking (though not good yet) are undoubtedly improved just from earlier this year.  I doubt they just give up on him, but he will have to step it up in Training Camp to make the 53 man roster.

Next: The Trenches