Future of the Chiefs: Eric Berry or Dontari Poe

Comparable Contracts:

• Ndamukong Suh – Dolphins – 6 yrs at $114.37 million/$59.95 million guaranteed: Traditionally, 4-3 defensive tackles have a significant monetary advantage over 3-4 defensive tackles. They play a different game from one another with different responsibilities and a different level of importance.  However, Suh’s mega deal is still an issue because Poe is considered among the top defensive players in the league, and also plays along the defensive line.  So there will be some reference to this deal in the Chiefs negotiations.
• Fletcher Cox – Eagles – 6 yrs at $102 million/$36.3 million guaranteed: This is the real problem for the Chiefs. Fletcher Cox is a very comparable player to Dontari Poe, and he just got a dump truck full of money delivered to him.  It will be incredibly difficult for John Dorsey to argue that Poe doesn’t deserve to be paid in the same neighborhood as Cox.  This is an example of why teams want to be quick in re-signing their top players.  You can almost guarantee that there is a contract on the way that will completely blow up your current negotiations.
• Malik Jackson – Jaguars – 6 yrs at $85 million/$31.5 million guaranteed: The Broncos came into this offseason with Malik Jackson in a very similar situation that the Chiefs are facing with Dontari Poe. That’s not good news for the Chiefs as Jackson is now wearing a Jaguars uniform.  A deal similar to what Jackson got would be an ideal situation for KC at this point, but would still take a lot of work with the salary cap to make happen.

Alternatives:

• In House: Jaye Howard – Chiefs: The best news the Chiefs have going for them here is that a replacement for Poe may already be on the roster.  The Chiefs signed Howard to an extension earlier this offseason, and that is starting to look like some brilliant foresight on the part of John Dorsey.  The team also added defensive lineman Chris Jones in the draft, who seems ideal when paired with Allen Bailey, but could viably fill in at the tackle spot as well.  Howard, Bailey, and Jones could give the Chiefs a starting defensive line in a world sans Dontari Poe.  It should be noted that Howard had success in 2015 when filling in for Poe.
• 2017 Free Agent: Ian Williams – 49ers: Williams isn’t the top name on the list of free agent defensive tackles in 2017, but he’s nowhere near the worst either.  And he’s definitely not going to break the bank.  Williams is a run stuffer, but not much of a pass rusher.  However, with the other options available to the Chiefs, a specialist role (similar to that of Mike DeVito) wouldn’t be a terrible option for KC.
• 2017 Draft Pick: Jarron Jones – Notre Dame: A torn MCL kept Jones out of the talented 2016 draft class.  He had been rated among the best of the class until the injury happened.  His injury history will still weigh on his draft stock, which could be good news for a Chiefs team expected to finish well.  His talent is excellent, so if he can put together a healthy season, he may be worth the investment in the first round.

Next: Who should be the pick?