Chiefs roster: A look ahead at the offseason

Secondary

Husain Abdullah – Safety – UFA:  Prior to his being signed, I banged the drum hard for the Chiefs to sign Husain Abdullah.  It has paid off.  Abdullah is the ideal veteran backup and role player because he has starting history at both Strong and Free Safety.  That makes him a versatile option to be able to utilize.

The Chiefs will strongly consider re-signing him, but his recent concussion that has kept him out for several weeks is concerning…not just to the team, but most likely to himself given his brother’s history with concussions and the league.  That will be a major point of consideration before any kind of a deal is made.

Eric Berry – Safety – UFA:  There has been no better story in the NFL this year than the triumphant return of Eric Berry.  Coming back from cancer is remarkable in its own right…coming back and playing the best football of his career?  That’s just unthinkable.  Yet we have watched it unfold this season.

Berry is an absolute must for the front office to re-sign.  Not just because of his terrific value on the field, but also because there is no way the organization could justify letting him walk to the fans.  A significant portion of the available cap space is going to be headed Berry’s way.

That’s not to say he won’t cut the team some kind of a break.  I’m sure he’ll be willing to cut some slack, but even with that his deal will likely be a hefty one.

Tyvon Branch – Safety – UFA:  Tyvon Branch has played well for the Chiefs, but he has also served his purpose.  There was no question that he was added simply because of the uncertainty surrounding Eric Berry.  With Berry playing at an elite level, Branch is probably on the way out the door.  The Chiefs may hold him if they feel they need to move on from Husain Abdullah though.

Jamell Flemming – Cornerback – UFA:  After coming up big for the Chiefs in 2014, Flemming took a hit early this season when he was picked on by Peyton Manning and the Broncos.  Of course, it was hardly fair to expect a career backup journeyman step into such a featured role against one of the best wide receiver tandems in recent memory.  Flemming carries plenty of value as a backup and a special teams gunner.  With a low price tag, that might be enough for the Chiefs to make an offer to keep him around for another couple of seasons.

Sean Smith – Cornerback – UFA:  I don’t think Sean Smith will be back in Kansas City in 2016.  While I don’t doubt that the Chiefs would like to re-sign him, the cornerback market looks pretty dead and Smith will be able to capitalize with a contract that he probably shouldn’t be getting.

The Chiefs have to be excited about Marcus Peters moving forward, and Phillip Gaines has shown some quality talent as well.  Signing a cheaper veteran, or even using a high draft pick, as the third corner (not Nickel corner) seems more likely at this point.  I know some will look at that and lose their minds, especially after seeing where I wrote that Flemming could be retained.

But unfortunately, the salary cap is very real and the Chiefs simply won’t be able to re-sign everyone.

Daniel Sorenson – Safety – ERFA:  Daniel Sorenson has a very distinct value as a special teams player and limited role guy.  However, that is a value that should be easily replaced.  The Chiefs can bring back Sorenson on a very cheap offer thanks to the Exclusive Rights tender, but he would most certainly be battling for his job in Training Camp…and doing so as a big time underdog.  The talent ahead of him is too good and the potential of finding a replacement too high.  He’ll likely get the camp offer, but don’t expect him to make the roster in 2016.

Next: The potential game-changers