Chiefs' Team Needs to Fill in 2023 NFL Free Agency

The Kansas City Chiefs aren't likely to get complacent after winning a Super Bowl championship in two of the past four seasons. They should be hungry for more, and that could become evident this offseason.

While the Chiefs have a roster capable of contending for titles (as evidenced by their Super Bowl LVII win over the Philadelphia Eagles), they'll have moves to make before the 2023 season arrives. Kansas City has several areas of its roster it could improve, especially if it loses some key players via free agency.

Over The Cap is projecting the Chiefs to be $3.5 million over the salary cap. But they'll have opportunities to clear space and get a bit more financial flexibility. So they should still be able to make some free-agent signings.

Here's a look at Kansas City's biggest needs it has to address heading into free agency, which begins March 15.

Left Tackle

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 01: Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (57) looks to block Denver Broncos linebacker Wyatt Ray (52) in the first quarter of an AFC West game between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs on January 1, 2023 at GEHA Field at.Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

This may not be a need for much longer. There's a chance the Chiefs could use the franchise tag on Orlando Brown Jr., who has been a steady presence at left tackle for the team over the past two seasons, starting all 33 games and earning a pair of Pro Bowl selections.

However, if Kansas City decides not to tag Brown, then the position will be its most pressing need heading into free agency. The Chiefs will have to acquire somebody who can adequately protect star quarterback Patrick Mahomes' blind side.

Brown will likely command a large contract should he hit the free-agent market, which is why it may be best for Kansas City to use the franchise tag on the 26-year-old and ensure he'll be back for the 2023 season. The Chiefs may not be able to afford him otherwise.

With no logical internal replacements for Brown's starting spot, Kansas City has to either bring him back or sign/draft a new left tackle. That should be at the top of its priority list.

Defensive End

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 21: Carlos Dunlap #8 of the Kansas City Chiefs gets set against the Jacksonville Jaguars at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 21, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Carlos Dunlap is set to hit free agency. And it's possible Frank Clark could be joining him, as the 29-year-old has a $28.675 million cap hit for the 2023 season, with only $9.075 million of that being dead cap. So the Chiefs could cut the defensive end to clear cap space.

If that's what happens, then George Karlaftis, who had six sacks in his 2022 rookie campaign, would be the only notable DE still on Kansas City's roster. So the position would quickly become one of the team's biggest needs.

The Chiefs could be wise to part ways with Clark because of how much more financial flexibility they'd have with his contract off the books. It might be tough to replace him with an edge-rusher of his caliber, but they could fill more of their other holes with solid players.

Even if Clark returns, Kansas City could benefit from signing a free-agent pass-rusher, especially if Dunlap leaves. The Chiefs ranked second in the NFL with 55 sacks this past season, and they'll want to keep the unit as one of their strengths.

Wide Receiver

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KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 29: JuJu Smith-Schuster #9 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs during the AFC Championship NFL football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 29, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Despite trading Tyreek Hill last offseason, the Chiefs still had a solid receiving corps this past season. But several key members are now set to hit free agency, including JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman, making the position a need to address.

Kansas City will return Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore, but none of them are a true No. 1 receiver. Even if the Chiefs are unlikely to find one on this year's free-agent market, they may be able to swing a trade or land a top WR in the draft.

However, this receiving corps is also lacking depth, which is something Kansas City could fix in free agency. There are some playmakers who could make sense as low-risk, high-reward signings and may perform a bit better than expected.

Mahomes has proved he doesn't need a stacked receiving corps around him in order to succeed, but he may put up even better numbers if he is surrounded by star playmakers.