Kansas City's Bargain Guide to the 2015 Offseason
The 2015 offseason is a big one, and it will test Kansas City Chiefs general manager John Dorsey. The Chiefs won nine games and fell just short of returning to the postseason, proving they are just a few pieces away from becoming a playoff team and a championship contender. But that is easier said than done, and fans have to remember the business side plays a factor as well.
According to Joel Corry of CBSSports.com, the Chiefs have about $400,000 of cap space going into 2015, which is drastically small, especially for a team in need of wide receivers and offensive linemen. Prior to cuts and restructuring contracts, the Chiefs are very limited with what they can do this offseason.
There are plenty of big-name players entering free agency that have past connections with current Chiefs, including Dorsey, Chiefs coach Andy Reid and quarterback Alex Smith. If the price is right, the Chiefs can snag some key recruits to help the franchise inch closer to a postseason appearance.
In this slideshow, we will see what the Chiefs can do to free up more cap space and what moves they can make by adding quality players for a low price.
How to Create More Cap Room
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According to Over The Cap, Dwayne Bowe, Tamba Hali, Eric Fisher and Chase Daniel have a cap number of nearly $37 million combined. If the Chiefs were to cut or trade Bowe, Fisher and Daniel, Kansas City frees up around $18 million in cap space, which is not a lot, but it would still be better than nothing.
Dorsey knows he made a mistake giving Bowe an extension. As for Fisher, where does the franchise stand, and how much more time is it willing to give him after two bad seasons since being drafted No. 1 overall? And lastly, Daniel is making too much money for a backup, so the Chiefs should look to trade or release him.
However, I left out Hali for a reason. Hali told 610 Sports Radio in Kansas City during an interview that he is willing to play for less money. Cutting Hali helps give the Chiefs nearly $3 million in cap savings, but structuring his contract and having him continue to play with Justin Houston helps the defense immensely.
Part of Dorsey's job is to figure out how the team can create cap space. Due to some of former general manager Scott Pioli's spendings, as well as his own, he finds himself in a big hole.
While a free-agent splash would be a dream come true for fans, the likelihood of that is low. But the team can still come away with some players for a low price.
Wide Receiver: Cecil Shorts, Jacksonville Jaguars
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Cecil Shorts had an average salary of $668,037 from 2011 to 2014 with the Jacksonville Jaguars, making more than $1 million for this first time this past season.
In four seasons with Jacksonville, Shorts pulled in 176 catches for 2,343 yards and 12 touchdowns. That includes his 2012 season when he caught 55 passes for 979 yards and seven touchdowns in 14 games, just nine as a starter.
You have to consider the limited talent Shorts had with the quarterbacks in Jacksonville, which helps Kansas City's case and gives it a reason to sign him to a low price.
If Shorts wants to test free agency, the Chiefs must call his agent and sign him. Shorts would become a key player right away, while the Chiefs would get help at wide receiver, benefitting both teams.
Tight End: Virgil Green, Denver Broncos
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Any time an NFL team thinks it can take quality talent away from a divisional rival, the steal must be made right away. The Chiefs have an opportunity to take a tight end from Denver who has made an impact but has not been getting a lot of praise, unlike Julius Thomas, Denver's starting tight end.
Virgil Green did not make more than $700,000 in a season during his four years with the Broncos. He caught just 23 passes for 206 yards and caught his first career touchdown in Week 17 against the Oakland Raiders this past year.
But Green's talent level goes beyond the available statistics.
Green started the first three games of the season and went on to start the final six regular-season games, plus the postseason contest against Indianapolis.
Pro Football Focus rated Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce as the best run-blocking tight end in the league. Green was fifth on that list. With scatbacks such as Jamaal Charles, De'Anthony Thomas and Knile Davis on the team, Kansas City needs Green.
In addition, he does not need to be a deep threat, given how Kansas City lives off short passes. If he can develop into an average pass-catcher, the Chiefs will have two viable tight ends in 2015.
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Inside Linebacker: Mason Foster, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Mason Foster has had an up-and-down career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Through his first three seasons with the team, Foster had at least 80 tackles each season and a pair of sacks each of those three years. His 2013 season was a big moment for him, in which he finished with 92 tackles and three interceptions for 122 yards, taking two back for touchdowns.
Like most of the players on this list, Foster was not making a ton of money while with the Bucs. As for how much money he will make this year, his 2014 season hurts his case, meaning general managers have a chance at bringing in a valuable defensive player for a low price.
While dealing with multiple injuries (shoulder and Achilles tendon) during the 2014 season, Foster concluded the season with 10 games, the fewest he has ever played in a season, and 62 tackles, also the fewest in a single season for him.
The Chiefs could use a talented linebacker beside Derrick Johnson to help the defense improve against the run, which is the team's only problem on the defensive side of the game.
Inside Linebacker: Ben Heeney, Kansas Jayhawks
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Some Chiefs fans may recognize Ben Heeney, who was an unheralded star in his four years with the Kansas Jayhawks.
While Heeney shined on special teams as a freshman, he started at linebacker his sophomore year and quickly evolved into a tackling machine, making him one of the top tacklers in the Big 12. As a senior, Heeney was one of the best in the nation in solo tackles and led the nation in that category for a majority of the season.
Heeney's closing speed and power hitting helped the Jayhawks create some short-lived drives for opposing offenses.
The Chiefs need serious help against the run, and Heeney might be overlooked by a lot of scouts because of the fact that he played at Kansas, which won just nine games during Heeney's time as a Jayhawk.
The fact is, plenty of good college football players are passed in the draft, and part of it is because of where they played. Don't be surprised if Heeney is available in the fifth or sixth round. The Chiefs should take a risk and snatch him in the fourth round, which would eventually, hopefully sooner rather than later, prove the they made the right move.
Alls statistics courtesy of NFL.com unless noted otherwise.
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