K.C. Chiefs: Identifying the best remaining free agents on the market
Edge Rushers
At the time I am writing this, it’s been reported that Melvin Ingram has a visit planned with the Chiefs this week. So if you aren’t reading this until later in the week, I’m hoping Ingram is already on the roster. While Ingram may not fit the mold of a typical Steve Spagnuolo defensive end, there is no question that he would upgrade the Chiefs struggling outside pass rush. Ingram may not be a guy you want to keep on the field all game long anymore, but when healthy, he might just be the best pass rusher on the Chiefs roster.
Ingram was never healthy last season and failed to register a single sack. Still, in the limited time he played he still graded out 20+ points better in his Pro Football Focus pass rush grade than any of K.C.’s other edge players last season.
If the Chiefs used Ingram as a rotational pass rusher, it would help him stay healthy and productive. A player like Mike Danna could play in the base defense or clear running situations and Ingram could focus on getting after the quarterback. Ingram averaged 8.5 sacks per season for the five seasons before last year’s injury plagued season. I don’t think there is a better pass-rushing option available and he is absolutely worth the injury risk.
If the Chiefs want a defensive end who is more of a natural fit for Steve Spagnuolo’s system, Carlos Dunlap is the best option available. Dunlap is listed at 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds and would be a player that could do it all in the Chiefs defense. While his pass rush upside isn’t quite that of Ingram, he has averaged 7.7 sacks over the past five seasons, including 6 in a short span with Seattle last season. He would be a good option to split time with Taco Charlton across from Frank Clark.
I don’t think Dunlap is worth a long term contract at age 32, but if he was willing to sign a reasonable one or two-year deal, he might make a lot of sense for the Chiefs. While Dunlap isn’t a dominant player, the Chiefs were really bad on the edges last season and Dunlap would be a welcome addition to the rotation.
Fall Back Option: Everson Griffen
If the Chiefs can’t get Melvin Ingram to agree to a reasonable deal or don’t like how his medicals check out, Everson Griffen would be my next choice for a rotational pass rush specialist. Griffen is 33 and probably isn’t up to the grind of being an every down player anymore, but his pass rush skills have held up better than his play against the run has. Even in his thirties, he’s averaged 7 sacks over the past two seasons and is one of the better pass rushing options available after Ingram.
Next up, let’s look at some linebackers.