Defensive free agents who make sense for KC Chiefs
By Jake Kokoris
2. Gareon Conley, CB
Gareon Conley gets the nod purely because he sacked Patrick Mahomes once, and we need to keep anyone like that off of other teams. I kid, but I like Conley as a reclamation project, one similar to DeAndre Baker.
Conley was a first round pick in 2016, and he played two years for both the Oakland Raiders and Houston Texans. Conley has played for some very poor defenses, so perhaps a change in system and team culture could help cultivate his impressive physical tools.
Conley is a physical corner who does well in man coverage. He plays with a range-y feel for the game, not unlike Bashaud Breeland, who left the Chiefs for the Vikings this offseason. Conley might fit as a classic “former first-round pick with a lot of tools”, the kind of profile the Chiefs like taking chances on.
At just 26, Conley would be a low-cost addition, but he experienced a season-ending injury in 2020, so any value is health-permitting.
3. B.J. Goodson, LB
I’m surprised B.J. Goodson is still available. The 28 year-old had a strong 2020 season with Cleveland, where he played well over 900 snaps on defense and special teams combined. He is often used as a run-stopper, but according to PFF, last season he “rounded out his game” by improving in coverage.
Goodson has played in a combined 44 games over the past three seasons, and that kind of reliability alone makes him an attractive option. The Chiefs’ linebacker room includes youngsters like Willie Gay and Nick Bolton, so having a serviceable and dependable player like Goodson to pair with Anthony Hitchens and others would round out the linebacker room nicely. If I was Brett Veach and could only call one of these guys, I think I’d go with Goodson.