How much will the Kansas City Chiefs draft class make?
By Matt Conner
Breeland Speaks (No. 46 overall)
2018 cap hit: $1.1M
Total contract amount (through 2021): $6.1M (total)
When Breeland Speaks signs his contract, his cap hit will put him somewhere around Damien Williams, Bryan Witzmann and/or Frank Zombo. Yep, that’s a role player, a role player and a role player. As valuable as they are, if you can potentially land a pass rusher for the amount you’re paying a guy competing at RB3, you’re doing pretty well.
Considering that Justin Houston has the second highest salary cap hit of any non-quarterback in the NFL for 2018 (thanks, Ndamukong Suh for setting the bar), the Chiefs have to find ways to bring in pass rushing help without breaking the bank. This year, they have Dee Ford, Tanoh Kpassagnon and now Speaks all on their rookie deals (Ford is on his fifth year option).
Ford is nearly $9 million this season, however, and could enter free agency after this year. He should be motivated, but we thought the same thing last year before his fifth year option was exercised.
The best case scenario for the Chiefs is to see signs of life from Speaks much like we saw from Chris Jones during his rookie season. Jones needed a half season in the NFL to really adjust and then we saw his natural athleticism and instincts take over at the pro level. From there it was obvious he would blossom.
If Speaks can become a healthy pass rusher, his contract will be a steal at an often expensive position. It would also help balance positional spending given the nearly $30 million invested in Houston and Ford in 2018.