2015 Kansas City Chiefs Free Agency: An Early Guide to the Market
The Kansas City Chiefs took a slight, two-game step back in the 2014 NFL season. Finishing at 9-7 while going 4-4 in the second half of the season is evidence that this team has a lot to improve on this offseason.
With a strong defense and an inconsistent offense, it is simple to state that a few improvements on offense should be enough to make this team elite. While true, that is easier said than done.
According to CBSSports.com's Joel Corry, the Chiefs are about $400,000 under the cap for 2015. Don't forget, if the Chiefs want to keep outside linebacker and 2014 sack leader Justin Houston, general manager John Dorsey will need to spend a lot of money. If you want to bring in some viable offensive linemen and receivers, that will cost some money as well.
So how do the Chiefs try to improve with a tight cap for 2015? That is where the business side of things comes into play, and teams rarely discuss these things publicly. But in the end, expect the Chiefs to either restructure a couple of contracts or part ways with a few players.
Here is a look at the 2015 offseason and what Kansas City's free-agent activity could look like.
Quarterback
1 of 10
2015 Chiefs free agents: N/A
Notable NFL free agents: Mike Vick, Christian Ponder, Brian Hoyer, Matt Flynn
The Chiefs currently have the 13th and 23rd richest quarterbacks in the NFL for 2015. Alex Smith is set to make $15.6 million, while backup Chase Daniel will earn $4.8 million. After another impressive regular-season performance from Daniel, you have to think the Chiefs could use him in a trade, as he has shown that he deserves a shot at starting for an NFL team.
The quarterback free-agent class is not a strong one, but Mike Vick, who was signed by Andy Reid in Philadelphia in his return to the NFL, is the most intriguing name on the list. Given the history and brief success Vick had under Reid, the Chiefs might bring him in as a backup for the right price.
Having a veteran backup in Vick would be a solid insurance policy in case Smith suffers an injury in 2015. His familiarity with Reid is a bonus, as he may have a little bit of fuel left in the tank in his playing career.
Other than that, don't expect the Chiefs to make a strong move since Smith received a big contract prior to the 2014 regular season.
Running Back
2 of 10
2015 Chiefs free agents: Joe McKnight
Notable NFL free agents: DeMarco Murray, Darren McFadden, Frank Gore, Ryan Mathews, Leon Washington, Shane Vereen
The Chiefs appear to be set at running back with Jamaal Charles along with backups Knile Davis and De'Anthony Thomas. While there are some key free agents, DeMarco Murray will likely receive the franchise tag from the Dallas Cowboys, while the others on this list may struggle reaching their ceiling.
The Chiefs have been pleased with Anthony Sherman at the fullback position, and it is doubtful they make a move there.
For Kansas City, this position does not need a lot of attention.
Tight End
3 of 10
2015 Chiefs free agents: TE Demetrius Harris (ERFA), TE Richard Gordon (UFA)
Notable NFL free agents: Julius Thomas, Jacob Tamme, Owen Daniels, Zach Miller
A lot of people were impressed with Travis Kelce in what was essentially his rookie season. He missed his first year in 2013 due to a knee injury, which delayed his NFL debut. It is safe to say he returns after leading the Chiefs in receptions, yards and touchdowns in the passing department.
Anthony Fasano is projected to make $2.8 million in 2015 and $3.6 million the following season. In Fasano's first year with the Chiefs, he caught 23 passes for 200 yards and three touchdowns through nine games. He barely improved in 15 appearances this season, grabbing 25 passes for 226 yards and four scores.
Don't be surprised if Fasano is released by the Chiefs in order to free up some cap space. Granted, he scored four more touchdowns in 2014 than the entire receiving corps, but the money Fasano is set to make is too much for a player with limited success.
If the Chiefs want to be active in 2015 with the two-tight end set, Jacob Tamme from Denver or a veteran like Zach Miller is worth looking into.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Wide Receiver
4 of 10
2015 Chiefs free agents: WR Jason Avant (UFA), WR Frankie Hammond (ERFA), WR Junior Hemingway (ERFA)
Notable NFL free agents: Demaryius Thomas, Dez Bryant, Randall Cobb, Jeremy Maclin, Michael Crabtree, Torrey Smith, Cecil Shorts
It has been 20 regular-season games since a Chiefs wide receiver last caught a touchdown. That is the only statistic you need in order to understand how desperate Kansas City is at this spot.
However, before we dive into potential free-agent signings, we must visit the glaring issue at this position.
Dwayne Bowe has had a roller-coaster career since being drafted out of LSU in 2007. Yet through three different general managers, the Chiefs have been patient, even giving him a five-year deal worth $56 million.
Bowe earned just barely less than $9 million in 2013 and 2014 in his new five-year deal. In two years, he's caught 117 passes for 1,427 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Obviously, all five touchdown catches came in 2013.
He will make $10.75 million in 2015 and is projected to receive $9.75 million in each of the following two years. It is evident the Chiefs must restructure his contract. Releasing a player with that type of contract is not ideal, and it would be hard to find a trade partner to take on Bowe's contract.
As for free agents, Jeremy Maclin tops this list as the most interesting option for the Chiefs due to his familiarity with Reid, as he was drafted by the Eagles. Given the strong contingency of Missouri Tigers fans in Kansas City, many would be on board with this signing.
Randall Cobb rose in 2014, so he could demand a lot of money. But with his skill set, he is a player who will work for his contract.
Offensive Line
5 of 10
2015 Chiefs free agents: C Rodney Hudson (UFA), G Jeff Linkenbach (UFA), RT Ryan Harris (UFA)
Notable NFL free agents:
- Center: Nick Hardwick, Will Montgomery, Stefen Wisniewski
- Guard: Mike Iupati, Orlando Franklin, Rob Sims, Erik Pears
- Left tackle: Michael Roos, King Dunlap, Byron Bell
- Right tackle: Doug Free, Bryan Bulaga, Tyler Polumbus, Jermey Parnell
Losing Branden Albert, Jon Asamoah and Geoff Schwartz in last year's free agency hurt the Chiefs in 2014. It didn't help that Jeff Allen was hurt and Donald Stephenson was suspended and then limited after his return, as both of those players were returning linemen.
Eric Fisher has already received the bust label from fans, while Rodney Hudson is the team's best and only reliable pass-blocker. But his return to Kansas City is uncertain.
Losing Jeff Linkenbach and Ryan Harris is nothing to lose sleep over. Mike McGlynn may even be let go as well. Zach Fulton either becomes a backup or is let go this offseason.
The Chiefs have plenty of holes to fill, as this unit held the offense back from reaching its potential plenty of times.
Defensive Line
6 of 10
2015 Chiefs free agents: DL Kevin Vickerson (UFA), DE Ethan Johnson
Notable NFL free agents: Ndamukong Suh, Ahtyba Rubin, Jarvis Jenkins
Kansas City's defense allowed just less than 18 points per game, the third best in the NFL and the best in the AFC. The defense had another dominant season, all beginning with the defensive line for Kansas City's front seven.
Dontari Poe is starting to come along as the next great defensive lineman in the league. The Chiefs were impressed with Allen Bailey and gave him a contract extension. Mike DeVito returns and hopes to help the team improve, as it struggled against the run. Jaye Howard, also returning, may be a guy who sees a lot of playing time in rotation with the defensive ends.
While some key defensive linemen could be available, the Chiefs need to search for just depth at this spot.
Linebacker
7 of 10
2015 Chiefs free agents: OLB Justin Houston (UFA), OLB Dezman Moses (RFA), OLB Josh Martin (ERFA), ILB Josh Mauga (UFA)
Notable NFL free agents:
- Outside linebacker: Pernell McPhee, Jabaal Sheard, Brian Orakpo
- Inside linebacker: Brandon Spikes, David Harris, Rey Maualuga
Josh Mauga showed some flashes against the run while filling in for both Derrick Johnson and Joe Mays for most of the season. If he returns with Johnson next to him and stays healthy, then the interior starting corps would be set.
On the outside, it is no secret the Chiefs have an outstanding duo in Houston and Tamba Hali. However, there are contract situations with both players.
Spotrac is predicting that Houston will receive a six-year contract worth $92,670,276. Hali is going into the final year of his contract in which he will receive $6.75 million. With Dee Ford, Kansas City's first-round pick in 2014, also on the roster and playing better near the end of the season, it becomes interesting to see what will happen to Hali.
In a perfect world, the Chiefs can restructure Hali's contract, give Houston a new deal and keep Ford active by including him in an ongoing rotation. Kansas City could continue its dominance. But that scene is not realistic.
Even if the Chiefs part ways with Hali, Ford would become the new guy. Letting Hali go prevents the Chiefs from having to sign a new starter and gives them room to pay Houston.
Secondary
8 of 10
2015 Chiefs free agents: CB Chris Owens (UFA), S Kelcie McCray (RFA), S Ron Parker (UFA), S Kurt Coleman (UFA)
Notable NFL free agents:
- Cornerback: Darrelle Revis, Brandon Flowers, Antonio Cromartie, Charles Tillman, Walter Thurmond, Darius Butler
- Safety: Devin McCourty, Rahim Moore, Antrel Rolle, Nate Allen
Letting Brandon Flowers go last year and having Eric Berry for only six games due to injury and health reasons somewhat hurt the Chiefs. Kansas City's defense still ranked second against the pass, but the play of the defensive backs could have been better.
Ron Parker played multiple positions and was inconsistent, while Sean Smith quietly had a good year. But Smith was the team's only viable defensive back in 2014.
While the Chiefs did not allow a 300-yard passer and allowed fewer than 18 points per game on average, their takeaways need to improve. After having 21 interceptions last year, the Chiefs mustered just six in 2014.
Some well-known defensive players will be available, as listed above, and plenty of them are capable of picking off passes.
This part of the defense is the team's weakness, though not a glaring one.
Special Teams
9 of 10
2015 Chiefs free agents: LS Thomas Gafford (UFA)
Notable NFL free agents:
- Kicker: Stephen Gostkowski, Matt Bryant
- Punter: Brett Kern, Chris Jones
- Long Snapper: Cullen Loeffler, Mike Leach
Cairo Santos went through rookie struggles early on when he missed two of his first four attempts, but he eventually got into a rhythm and proved the Chiefs were right in taking him for less money over Ryan Succop.
Dustin Colquitt continues to be one of the best punters in the league, while Thomas Gafford limits his bad snaps.
The Chiefs will likely bring back Gafford and continue to keep this trio for a second straight year.
Overall
10 of 10
Most of the issues are on the offensive line and at the wide receiver positions with very few flaws on defense.
If Dorsey can open up some cap space and find a way to recruit some key veterans in a couple of spots, he could use the draft to fill a couple of holes. As a result, the team will look complete and set to make a return to the playoffs in the 2015 season.
January 1994 was Kansas City's last playoff win—nearly 21 years ago. Given that the Chiefs don't play in the postseason this year, that streak will extend to 22 years and could be the longest streak if Cincinnati wins a postseason game this year.
The Chiefs have plenty of talent on defense and need to make some adjustments on offense to become not just a playoff but a championship-caliber team. With some personnel tweaks, the playoff streak could end, and a serious run for a Super Bowl could be on the way.
Salary contracts and free-agent information courtesy of Spotrac. Statistics courtesy of ESPN and STATS, LLC.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
