A Kansas City Chiefs fan’s guide to start of NFL free agency

Cornerbacks and Safeties

I thought about doing these separately, but I think they are too connected this offseason for that to make sense. The Chiefs are poised to lose two of the most important parts of their secondary in Tyrann Mathieu and Charvarius Ward. Because of that, the Chiefs simply can’t enter this next season without signing multiple starting-caliber secondary players. That could mean re-signing one or both of Mathieu and Ward or signing new players to replace them. Either way, this is a position where there will be serious movement.

In addition to Mathieu and Ward, Mike Hughes, Dan Sorensen, and Armani Watts are all set to hit free agency as well. Hughes and Sorensen both got a lot of defensive snaps last season, so the Chiefs really have four secondary contributor spots to fill. That’s a ton.

Let’s start by focusing strictly on cornerback. The Chiefs will return L’Jarius Sneed, Rashad Fenton, and Deandre Baker. They will need to add at least two more players, one starter and one contributor level player at minimum. Who they target will probably depend on how they plan to use Sneed. Do they see him as Ward’s successor on the outside? Do they want to keep him in his current role? Is it possible they think he could replace Mathieu? If that’s the case it would help at safety, but just creates more questions at cornerback.

So who might they target?

If they want to target a true #1 CB: JC Jackson, Stephon Gilmore, Carlton Davis

These would be the big dollar signings. KC doesn’t have a history of spending this kind of money on their corners, but all three players would be great additions. Davis isn’t quite on the level of the other two, but he’s a young ascending player with the traits KC looks for in their outside starters. Any of these three would be a huge addition to the secondary.

If they want a proven quality starter: Re-sign Ward, Darious Williams, Ahkello Witherspoon

These three are all guys in their prime that would be good dependable starters. Ward hasn’t been a star, but he’s been a quality starter that has the traits KC likes on the outside. Williams proved to be a good #2 CB opposite Jalen Ramsey last season. Witherspoon has the traits KC likes on the outside as well and he could be the most affordable of this tier.

If they want a veteran stopgap at CB: Patrick Peterson, Joe Haden, Chris Harris

None of these three are what they once were, but they probably have enough left in their tank for a one-year deal. It would give KC a veteran with lots of experience to join the position group if they lose Tyrann Mathieu. I don’t love any of these options, but if KC gets priced out of the previous two tiers, they may have to make a signing like this just to get them by another year and hope they can hit on someone in the draft to be the long term answer.

If they want to sign a slot cornerback: Bryce Callahan, K’Waun Williams

If KC plans to move Sneed to the outside they may decide to target a slot corner instead of the starting outside options that typically cost more money. If that’s the case, Callahan is one of the best in the NFL in that role and Williams is a guy KC targeted last offseason before he re-signed with the 49ers for another year.

If KC loses both Mathieu and Sorensen they will have a TON of safety snaps to fill. There are some really good safeties on the market, but most of the good ones will command similar deals to Mathieu. Does it make sense to move on from Mathieu just to spend the same amount on another safety? Maybe, if it’s someone they think will be a better player over the lifetime of the contract.

The top tier safety options: Re-sign Mathieu and Marcus Williams

These are the two biggest names on the market and I’m guessing both will command big contracts. I just don’t know if it makes sense to spend that much on a safety with multiple holes on the team to fill.

The good quality starter options: Quandre Diggs, Marcus Maye, Jayron Kearse, Jordan Whitehead

If the Chiefs could come away with one of these four guys at a clear cheaper price tag than what Mathieu signs for I would be happy with that. All four would provide quality starting play and a reliable veteran presence. All of these guys are in their prime and on the right side of 30, but Whitehead is the youngest of the group if they wanted to sign someone to a longer deal.

The best of the rest: Devin McCourty, Kareem Jackson, Xavier Woods, Jaquiski Tartt, Justin Reid

I would also be fine with KC signing any of these five guys. McCourty is getting up there in age but could help fill the leadership gap left by Mathieu at a much smaller price tag. Jackson is solid in coverage. Woods is a solid all-around safety. Tartt is a good athlete but lacks ball skills. Reid is a young safety with nice upside but hasn’t lived up to his traits yet.

So there you go Chiefs fans. There is your positional preview for the start of free agency. What do you think? Do you agree with my assessment that money will be an issue with them currently over the cap and with so many pending free agents leaving holes on the roster? I’m confident they will eventually fill out the roster, I just don’t know if they’ll make a lot of splash signings that get fans excited. Hopefully, this preview gives you a little insight into what spots they need to fill and what players might be a good fit to fill them.