Grading the Chiefs defensive free agent signings from 2022

Jermaine Carter, Linebacker

After the departure of Anthony Hitchens in February, Jermaine Carter was one of the first additions to the linebacker room last offseason. The Carolina Panthers opted to not re-sign the 2018 5th-round pick and he hit unrestricted free agency, where the Chiefs picked him up on a 1-year deal.

Heading into training camp last year, only Nick Bolton, Willie Gay, and Leo Chenal were the only linebackers perceived as locks to make the final roster. Carter was seen as one of the better bets to make the team but instead was released in late August among the final roster cuts. He wasn’t even brought back to the practice squad and signed with the Browns in late September.

For much of last offseason, many fans, including myself, assumed that Jermaine Carter would be one of the depth linebackers to make the team and that just wasn’t the case. He lost out to Darius Harris and the next player on this list. Failing to even be re-signed to the practice squad is not indicative of a successful free agent signing.

The Grade: D-

Elijah Lee, Linebacker

The day before Kansas City signed Carter, they added Blue Springs High School and Kansas State alumnus Elijah Lee to the team. Like Jermaine Carter, Lee was seen as a player on the roster bubble for much of training camp.

Unlike Carter, Elijah Lee was re-signed to the practice squad and appeared in the first five games of the season, primarily playing on special teams. The Chicago Bears signed him to their active roster off the Chiefs’ practice squad on December 20th.

Elijah Lee played only a small handful of snaps on defense but played just over 100 on special teams, where he was very good. Despite being on the team through Week 15, he wasn’t active since Week 5. Since he didn’t last the entire season and didn’t play since early October, his grade will suffer a little.

The Grade: C-