A defensive wish list for the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency
By Drew Brooks
Jamie Collins
One strong-side linebacker that would be a nice pickup for the Chiefs is Jamie Collins Sr. Collins was just recently released by the Cleveland Browns after they tried to trade him and found no takers. Collins has been in the league for six years, spending time with the Patriots and most recently the Browns.
The Browns released him to free up cap space, but Collins had a very solid year for them. He started all 16 games and accumulated 4 sacks and 104 tackles. If the Chiefs are unable to get a linebacker like Anthony Barr, Collins would be a great alternative.
A defensive analyst at Arrowhead Pride, Craig Stout, put together a great thread on why Collins would fit the Chiefs that you can find here. If the price is right, the Chiefs should definitely pursue signing Collins to add much-needed tackling and skill to the linebacker corps.
Mark Barron
Another linebacker who was released that would be nice for the Chiefs is Mark Barron. Barron has spent seven years in the NFL and was just recently released by the Los Angeles Rams. The Chiefs are in need of a middle linebacker, and Barron would be just the guy.
Barron has previously played strong safety in his career and has the coverage skills that a good middle linebacker needs. He’s coming off a season where he started 12 games and racked up 60 tackles and 1 sack. His tackling would be well welcomed to the Chiefs, but he’s lacking statistically in other areas.
Coming off a mediocre year, 29-year-old Barron is likely to be offered a short prove-it deal, and the Chiefs should certainly be one of the teams to offer him a contract. Even if he doesn’t return to his 2015 and 2016 production where he accumulated over 100 tackles in both seasons, he’s an excellent tackler and would be a great addition to the Chiefs.