As back-to-back Super Bowl champions, there are not many roster holes to worry about for the Kansas City Chiefs. There is an argument to be had that this year's roster could even be better than last year's on paper. However, there are a couple of roster concerns that could still use some reinforcements.
Kansas City knows that multiple pieces will be called upon on each side of the ball. When it comes to a long season, the Chiefs will need to have the necessary depth to stave off some other competitors at the top of the NFL. With some of these spots, youth or players returning and recovering from injury have created question marks.
Who are three free agents that the Chiefs could sign late in training camp to fill some roster holes? Let's kick it off.
Safety Justin Simmons
Entering free agency, Justin Simmons was viewed as one of the premier safeties available. The former Denver Bronco defender is still without a team nearing mid-August, however. He took a free agent visit with the New Orleans Saints recently. Yet, Simmons left without securing a new deal.
If there is anything the Chiefs know about facing Justin Simmons, his ball production is still something to believe in as he gets older. He actually has five interceptions against Patrick Mahomes, including one in each matchup last year. In eight seasons with the Broncos, Simmons tallied a remarkable 30 interceptions and 64 passes defensed.
How could he fit with the Chiefs at this stage of his career? Justin Simmons' instincts and body positioning against passes are items that defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo would love. That added ball production would not hurt either. Additionally, Justin Reid is currently on the non-football injury list and has missed a significant amount of training camp. Perhaps, a veteran piece could stabilize things and the overall depth to open the year.
Defensive End Yannick Ngakoue
Similar to the safety spot, the Chiefs have a couple of question marks at defensive end entering the start of the regular season. A veteran is also recovering from injury at this spot. Charles Omenihu opened training camp on the physically unable to perform list, recovering from his torn ACL suffered last January. Meanwhile, Felix Anudike-Uzomah will be looking to solidify himself after essentially receiving a redshirt year as a rookie. Therefore, Kansas City may need a more known commodity to rotate in as a pass rusher behind George Karlaftis and Mike Danna.
Of all the defensive ends available, Yannick Ngakoue arguably has the most upside. When he is rolling, Ngakoue can offer solid first-step quickness and a wide array of pass-rush counter moves. He is a dense defender that can with both strength and slight bend. While being well-traveled throughout his career, Ngakoue could still offer potential production that the Chiefs would be satisfied with from a depth piece.
Cornerback Adoree' Jackson
Cornerback is a fascinating spot to monitor for the Chiefs' defense. Trent McDuffie is already one of the best young cornerbacks in the entire NFL, though the departure of L'Jarius Sneed has created mixed results in training camp at the other outside cornerback spot. As Nate Taylor of The Athletic noted, cornerback has been the only real position battle in the midst of this current training camp for Kansas City.
The versatile Chamarri Conner is likely set to play more at nickel corner, overall. On the outside, third-year players like Joshua Williams and Jaylen Watson have been competing with Nazeeh Johnson and Kelvin Joseph. There are going to be times when Spagnuolo possibly mixes and matches who he plays on the outside, depending on the opponent. The Chiefs have to be able to find some level of consistency from that spot, nonetheless.
The Chiefs have historically rolled on with their own guys at cornerback, generally with cheaper and less heralded investments. But as the regular season nears, it might not hurt to add another cornerback option. The quickness and experience in man coverage of 28-year-old Adoree' Jackson could be appealing as a late signing. He has been tested heavily on deeper routes. Though, Jackson is someone who could add an immediate ceiling in press coverage for a defense like Kansas City's.