How will the Chiefs fill the massive hole at defensive tackle?
While I feel pretty confident that the Chiefs will bring back L'Jarius Sneed either on the franchise tag or a new deal, I have no idea what is going to happen with Chris Jones and that is a big question mark for the Chiefs for several reasons.
The first reason is that if they do re-sign Chris Jones it is going to take a big chunk of their cap space. I don't think they'll franchise tag him because that number would be around $32 million and that just doesn't give them enough wiggle room with the cap. Even if they were to sign him to a 3-4 year deal that averaged around $30 million per year, that deal would likely include a cap hit for next season that was well below that and then an inflated number in the final year or two where the money isn't fully guaranteed.
The most significant reason this is a huge decision is that the Chiefs have a massive hole at defensive tackle in terms of guys currently under contract for next season. The only players they currently have under contract at defensive tackle are Isaiah Buggs, Neil Farrell, and Matt Dickerson. That's not a workable list of players. Tershawn Warton, Derrick Nnadi, and Mike Pennel are also free agents so the Chiefs are going to need to make multiple moves at this position.
If the Chiefs are going to commit big-time money to Chris Jones, they'll have to know that at the start of free agency so that they can pivot to the second-tier free agent options if a deal with Jones doesn't look likely. Guys like Christian Wilkins, Justin Madubuike, and Leonard Williams would also take big money deals but might be a little less expensive than Jones. With the cupboard so bare in KC currently, it feels like one of those guys needs to be a Chiefs in the initial wave of free agency.
The Chiefs could also try to fill the position with bargain veteran free agent signings and an early draft pick, but that feels like a big gamble when the pass rush pressure from Jones has been such a key component of the defense through their last three Super Bowl wins. If the Chiefs do go with cheap defensive tackle solutions it may cause them to have to spend on another proven outside pass rusher to add to the rotation in order to make up for the drop in interior pressure.
Once again, the approach that Veach takes at this position is going to have a major impact on what money is available to fill other positions and is definitely one to watch. Finally, let's finish with what is probably the most under the radar position when it comes to the Chiefs major needs this offseason.