KC Chiefs FA profile: Armani Watts hopes to come back in 2022

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 12: Armani Watts #23 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs with a fumble during the fourth quarter, later ruled down, against the Las Vegas Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium on December 12, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 12: Armani Watts #23 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs with a fumble during the fourth quarter, later ruled down, against the Las Vegas Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium on December 12, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 22: Safety Armani Watts #23 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after defeating the Las Vegas Raiders 35-31 in an NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 22: Safety Armani Watts #23 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after defeating the Las Vegas Raiders 35-31 in an NFL game at Allegiant Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

It’s a shame that the Kansas City Chiefs didn’t get more out of their 2018 draft class than they did.

Anchored by second-round pick Breeland Speaks, for whom they traded up, no less, the class of 2018 could arguably go down as the single worst overall draft haul in team history. The Chiefs somehow landed hardly anything at all of note from the entire three-day event, which was the first draft under Brett Veach’s leadership in the front office. Fortunately, he’s gotten much, much better at this drafting thing.

The best of the bunch from that fated class of 2018 was defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi, who became a valuable base player along the defensive line for the Chiefs. That said, even Nnadi was a very part-time player and from there, the next best player would either be the special teams play provided by linebacker Dorian O’Daniel or safety Armani Watts.

As we survey the Kansas City Chiefs free agents-to-be, let’s explore the case for bringing back center Austin Blythe.

At this stage, the rookie deals for all parties in that rookie class are now finished, but some of those were already no longer with the team. Watts, however, is one player who the Chiefs could potentially bring back, one of 25 free agents about which the team must make a decision in terms of offseason approach.

Let’s look back at the four-year stint of Watts in K.C. and ask what it might look like to bring him back for a fifth (or not).