Overlooked free agent edge options for KC Chiefs
By Matt Conner
Kemoko Turay
The Indianapolis Colts had some offseason decisions to make on some young pass rushers who’d met the end of their rookie contracts this spring and made the decision for one of them to return in Tyquan Lewis. That meant Kemoko Turay would be allowed to walk in free agency.
For the Colts, watching and waiting for Turay to be healthy for a full season was likely a game they were tired of playing, despite the fact that he did contribute a career-high 5.5 sacks in 13 games last season in Indy. The former Rutgers product has always profiled well as a productive edge at the next level, which is why the Colts used a second-round selection on him back in ’18, but 21 games missed during his second and third seasons sidelined from being a part of the team’s defensive core.
Turay’s development was stunted due to injuries, but last season, Pro Football Focus had him tied with Danielle Hunter in terms of pass-rushing productivity at No. 26 overall among edge rushers. While it’s a total dice roll for a team like the Chiefs to sign him, the good news is that none of that risk is based on his ability. If you can sign a guy like this to an incentive-laden deal, the results could be excellent given the level of likely investment. For the Colts, there’s a fear Turay could turn into Jerry Hughes 2.0.
The Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers have already brought in Turay for a visit, so there’s going to be some competition for his services as the market thins out further, but anyone who lasts this long in free agency isn’t going to break the bank. The Chiefs could offer someone like Turay an ideal spot to showcase what he can do when healthy for a contending club while helping the Chiefs bridge the gap to a new pipeline of young talent.