Free agency rumor: Chiefs searching for linebacker with cover skills
By Matt Conner
NFL reporter Adam Caplan says the Kansas City Chiefs are expected to upgrade their linebacking corps, at some point, with someone who can cover.
After nearly two days of the NFL’s free agent frenzy, the only news concerning the Kansas City Chiefs has included very little in the way of surprises. Instead, the only peek at what might be considered some potential free agent movement comes via Adam Caplan on Tuesday who said the Chiefs are looking for help at linebacker.
Specifically Caplan has word that the Chiefs are looking for someone who can cover at the second level, a role they drafted Dorian O’Daniel to play in 2018. It’s the same role they traded for Darron Lee to fill in 2019. For some reason, the Chiefs have had a difficult time finding a dependable linebacker who can keep up with NFL pass catchers but that won’t stop them from trying again.
While #Chiefs don't have a lot of cap space, they're looking into adding a coverage LB, source said. If they don't get it done in free agency, will come in draft.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) March 17, 2020
Linebacker play in general has been a point of frustration for the Chiefs in the last couple years, although it’s a minor problem overall given that we’re talking about a Super Bowl winning team here. Still a weakness is a weakness and it shouldn’t surprise anyone to see the Chiefs make a move for a linebacker early in the upcoming draft, especially if one of the draft’s most heralded prospects falls into the late first round.
Should the Chiefs make a move, it will be with limited funds given their cap constraints. How much will a vet like Nick Vigil, perhaps the best cover linebacker still available, go for? Josh Bynes doesn’t exactly fit the bill, but he’d be a nice addition as a well-rounded linebacker who wouldn’t embarrass himself in coverage. Nigel Bradham is another name who comes to mind.
It’s hard to say but given the number of other moves the Chiefs need to make within the new league year, it might be a while before the team decides to fill the role.