2012 NFL Free Agency: Updating the Kansas City Chiefs' Cap Space

The Kansas City Chiefs wasted no time this offseason filling needs, landing cornerback Stanford Routt shortly after he was released by division-rival Oakland, then scoring a major coup by luring right tackle Eric Winston aboard to replace Barry Richardson, who struggled mightily in 2011.

They supplemented those moves with shrewd signings that included bruising running back Peyton Hillis and reserve tight end Kevin Boss, each of whom adds to the supporting cast of quarterback Matt Cassel.

And despite all of those moves, the Chiefs still sit pretty in the salary cap department with $18.123 million remaining.

So, you ask, what to do with all that money, as seemingly all of the high-priced free agents have found new homes?

The first consideration is the draft.  The Chiefs will need to pay their rookies, although that shouldn't amount to much more than a dent in their current holdings.

The second is the rollover clause that was instituted with the new collective bargaining agreement prior to the 2011 season.  It states NFL teams have the right to retain remaining cap space from one season and put it towards its spendings the following year.  

With a number of players potentially in the market for a contract extension after 2012, the Chiefs may opt to use the rollover space to help facilitate those extensions.  Players to consider include Glenn Dorsey, Brandon Albert and Dwayne Bowe, who has yet to sign his franchise tag tender.