Season Summary:
Much like the Chargers, the Kansas City Chiefs just missed out on a playoff berth. Alex Smith is one of the better game managers in the NFL, but the Chiefs need to find a few more weapons for him. That starts at wide receiver, where the Chiefs had a whopping zero touchdowns. Kansas City is short on cap space, so they'll need to make some cuts or restructure some contracts.
Updated Jan. 13
Projected Salary Cap Space (via Spotrac):
$-9,189,674
Team Needs:
1. Wide Receiver: Dwayne Bowe is highly paid, but hasn’t produced much. In fact, the whole receiving corps hasn’t produced. A vertical threat is desperately needed.
2. Offensive guard: Zach Fulton, Mike McGylnn and Jeff Linkenbach played most of the snaps at guard, and they combined for a negative 53 grade on Pro Football Focus. At least one new starter is needed.
3. Center: Rodney Hudson was good last year, but is a free agent.
4. Offensive tackle: Eric Fisher wasn’t great, but he’s still young and developing. Right tackle Ryan Harris is a free agent and was below average, per Pro Football Focus.
5. Middle linebacker: Getting Derrick Johnson back will help shore up the spot, but other starter Josh Mauga is a free agent who struggled last season.
6. Safety: Hopefully Eric Berry can return soon, but the Chiefs should approach the position as if he won’t be back. Ron Parker probably isn’t the ideal starter.
7. Cornerback: Sean Smith is a keeper and Phillip Gaines has potential, but the Chiefs need more options at corner.
8. Outside linebacker: Justin Houston was incredible last season, but is a free agent. The team drafted Dee Ford last year, but he’d be a downgrade. That’s not a knock against Ford; Houston is just one of the best 3-4 OLBs in the NFL.
Potential Cap Casualties:
DE Mike DeVito: potential savings of $4 million
QB Chase Daniel: potential savings of $3.8 million
WR Donnie Avery: potential savings of $3.55 million
WR A.J. Jenkins: potential savings of roughly $1.4 million
*All figures from Spotrac
Free Agents:
RB Joe McKnight
WR Jason Avant
WR Frankie Hammond (ERFA)
WR Junior Hemingway (ERFA)
TE Richard Gordon
TE Demetrius Harris (ERFA)
OT Ryan Harris
OG Jeff Linkenbach
C Rodney Hudson
DT Kevin Vickerson
OLB Justin Houston
OLB Josh Martin (ERFA)
OLB Dezman Moses (RFA)
MLB Josh Mauga
CB Christopher Owens
S Kurt Coleman
S Kelcie McCray (RFA)
S Ron Parker
LS Thomas Gafford
Draft Picks:
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
Round 6
Round 7
Transactions:
— Signed QB Terrelle Pryor (1-8)
— Signed WR Da'Rick Rogers (1-8)
— Signed OT Derek Sherrod (12-30)
Must-reads:
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