Potential Off-season Losses
Jaye Howard
While it will be disappointing to see Jaye Howard sign with another team (not that anyone wants him to), it’s important to realize that this is likely his personal best opportunity to create a big payday during his tenure as an NFL defensive tackle. Considering the typical lifespan of an player in the National Football League is 3.3 years we should all see a big payday — even if it’s with another team — as a major success for John Dorsey and Andy Reid because it says: we selected the right player and we developed the right player.
It’s a feather in their cap, as much as it will be a loss for the team.
One note of optimism when thinking about whether or not the Chiefs defensive tackle position will be alright without Jaye Howard… as I’ve begun to evaluate the 2016 NFL Draft pool of potential players I’ve noticed that more quality position players than ever before are appearing at one specific position and that of course is defensive tackle.
As I’ve spent time looking over this draft field and preparing a number of mock drafts (for my own education and edification) I’ve noticed a defensive tackle like 6-foot-3, 316 pound Vernon Butler from Louisiana Tech or 6-foot-6, 306 pound Chris Jones from Mississippi State could be had in the 3rd, 4th or even 5th round of the coming draft. Both of those prospects would have gone higher in any other year. Now, part of the reason is teams are zeroing in on corners and offensive tackles and not so much because there’s tremendous talent there but because there’s very little of it at those positions available. Consequently, those players will be drafted early and perhaps higher than they should be.
What Chiefs fans should know is that their team should be fine in that department. Shh… perhaps because of the glut of quality defensive tackles in the draft, that will bring Jaye Howard’s asking price down… and the Chiefs can keep him.
Sean Smith
Cornerback Sean Smith is likely going to sign a big contract with another team as K.C. doesn’t appear to have the cap resources to make a big contract offer for Smith a priority. The reason for letting S. Smith walk is that third year corner Philip Gaines will return and complete for one of the starting corner positions plus this draft has a solid number of good corners available. While Smith could return because the scheme calls for strong play at the corners, it doesn’t look like Smith will be at the top of the list with so many others needing to be re-signed. Steven Nelson had some good moments this season and, given more time to develop — which is a huge part of the Chiefs master plan — Nelson may be given a chance to start inside.
Of course, I’d like Sean Smith to return to the Chiefs. If only they would listen to me. If only.
Next: Who Has the Unfinished Business Frame-of-Mind?