Free Agents Chiefs Should Pursue After 2023 NFL Draft
One sign of a championship-caliber team is a constant search to improve the roster. The Kansas City Chiefs should know something about that. Even after winning Super Bowl LVII last season, they've been seeking upgrades throughout the offseason.
The Chiefs didn't have many roster holes, but they were active in free agency. Then, they assembled a solid rookie class with their selections in the 2023 NFL draft.
Is Kansas City now done tinkering with its roster? Potentially not. It still has $3.7 million in available cap space, per Over The Cap, so the possibility of a late signing or two remains.
With the draft over, here's a look at some free agents the Chiefs may still want to consider signing ahead of the 2023 season.
Jadeveon Clowney, DE
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Kansas City has improved its pass rush throughout the offseason. It signed Charles Omenihu in free agency and used its first-round draft pick on Felix Anudike-Uzomah. The team also returns George Karlaftis, who was a first-round selection in 2022.
But it can never hurt to have a strong, deep rotation of edge-rushers. And none of the Chiefs' projected starters at the position have much of a track record. So maybe they should still bring in a veteran player who does after they previously released Frank Clark.
Jadeveon Clowney is one of the top pass-rushers still available on the market. The 30-year-old is a nine-year NFL veteran and three-time Pro Bowler who's had an up-and-down career. Last year, he had only two sacks in 12 games (10 starts) for the Cleveland Browns.
What better team for Clowney to sign a low-cost prove-it deal with than Kansas City? He could compete for a championship, and the Chiefs would have more insurance on the edges, in case any of their other defensive ends get injured or underperform.
Myles Jack, LB
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Another defensive unit that could benefit from a bit more depth is the linebacker corps. It's not a necessity the Chiefs sign an LB, but it would make their defense stronger. Maybe they could even get a younger player who hasn't quite lived up to his potential.
Despite being only 27, Myles Jack remains on the free-agent market this offseason. But he's posted some solid numbers over his seven-year NFL career.
In Jack's lone season with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022, he recorded 104 tackles in 15 games (13 starts). He hasn't made a ton of big-time plays, but he's a proven tackler, having finished with more than 100 in four of the past five seasons.
Perhaps Kansas City could get even more out of Jack—or, at the least, he would be a solid depth player who may fit into the rotation at middle linebacker quite well.
Kenny Golladay, WR
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The Chiefs may be satisfied with the current construction of their receiving corps. They're bringing back Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore. They used their second-round draft pick on Rashee Rice. And they have some decent depth beyond that.
But Kenny Golladay has the potential to be a big-time playmaker, even if he didn't show it over the past two seasons with the New York Giants. He may have disappointed in New York, but perhaps a fresh start will work out better for the 29-year-old.
Early in his six-year NFL career, Golladay showed a ton of potential, becoming a top wide receiver for the Detroit Lions. There's a chance he could get back closer to that level after finishing last season with only six catches for 81 yards and a touchdown in 12 games.
If Kansas City can ink Golladay to an affordable deal, it may be worth finding out what he's still capable of. It could take the Chiefs' group of WRs to another level if he can be a contributor.
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