Chiefs’ present offseason roster full of intriguing younger depth

Because the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs start the offseason, a lot focus is on who they might re-sign of their very own 20 pending unrestricted free brokers or what gamers they might quickly usher in from different groups firstly of the 2024 league yr on March 13.

What’s most outstanding about Kansas Metropolis’s back-to-back Tremendous Bowl titles is that younger expertise has made it doable. Now, with 57 gamers beneath contract for 2024, the Chiefs really discover themselves enviably in a position to give attention to star upgrades at many positions relatively than scrambling for depth.

Let’s take a look at the roster depth the Chiefs already take pleasure in, notably expertise with no less than two remaining seasons of rookie management. Opposite to some sources, we assume that defensive finish Malik Herring has solely two accrued seasons and stays signed for 2024. We additionally predict contract tenders to those pending unique rights free brokers: heart Mike Caliendo, security Nazeeh Johnson, and linebackers Jack Cochrane and Cole Christiansen.

Chiefs basic supervisor Brett Veach and his scouting crew have executed an unimaginable job the previous two seasons with all phases of participant acquisition.

The Draft

Merely put, the Chiefs have crushed their previous two draft courses. A dozen 2022 or 2023 draft picks — one-fourth of the game-day roster — had been energetic for Tremendous Bowl LVIII. The listing contains operating again Isiah Pacheco, broad receivers Skyy Moore and Rashee Rice, sort out Wanya Morris, defensive ends George Karlaftis and Felix Anudike Uzomah and linebacker Leo Chenal. The secondary alone boasted cornerbacks Trent McDuffie, Joshua Williams, Jaylen Watson and Nic Jones, in addition to security Chamarri Conner.

A few of these gamers contribute what can be very costly snaps for the Chiefs to fill in free company. McDuffie and Karlaftis will finally signal upper-tier contracts for his or her positions teams — making two extra years on their rookie offers plus a fifth-year possibility a discount. Whereas broad receiver is undoubtedly a significant want this offseason, Rice’s presence — at a minimal — provides Kansas Metropolis an inexpensive ceiling for one beginning wideout. Pacheco is the Chiefs beginning operating again — and is owed lower than $2.5 million mixed over the subsequent two seasons.

Two different defensive backs drafted in 2022 ought to contribute in 2024. Johnson missed all of 2023 after tearing his ACL in coaching camp. The Marshall product had already grow to be a prime possibility on particular groups as a rookie and was competing for defensive snaps earlier than the damage. Beginning security Bryan Cook dinner needs to be recovered from a late-season ankle damage in time for camp.

Go rusher BJ Thompson — thought of a small-school venture when drafted in 2023 — might additionally play a task in his second season.

Undrafted free company

Veach and firm have additionally executed effectively after the draft’s conclusion. 5 undrafted free brokers added over the previous two years appeared in no less than one in all Kansas Metropolis’s 4 postseason video games. Their presence might pay dividends with a few of the Chiefs’ much less targeted on offseason wants.

Caliendo — who labored each at heart and guard in coaching camp — appeared in eight video games. If Tremendous Bowl hero Nick Allegretti leaves in free company — or misses a part of subsequent season recovering from his UCL tear — the Western Michigan product might provide key depth.

Linebackers Cochrane and Cam Jones had been stalwarts of the Chiefs’ particular groups models. Kansas Metropolis will possible — at most — maintain one in all free agent linebackers Drue Tranquill and Willie Homosexual Jr. Certainly one of Cochrane or Jones could also be referred to as to tackle no less than a portion of the vacated defensive snaps.

Cornerback Ekow Boye-Doe and broad receiver Justyn Ross may even full for 2024 roles of their respective rooms.

Herring signed with Kansas Metropolis after the 2021 draft however spent that season on the reserve non-football damage (NFI) listing, recovering from a torn ACL suffered on the Senior Bowl. He appeared to have handed Anudike-Uzomah on the depth chart heading to the playoffs. His presence might assist offset potential losses of defensive linemen Mike Danna and Turk Wharton to free company.

Castoffs from different golf equipment

A number of present Chiefs who entered the league with different groups have no less than a marginal probability of creating Kansas Metropolis’s 2024 energetic roster. Christiansen — a former undrafted free agent signing of the Los Angeles Rams — performed 70% of the Chiefs’ particular groups snaps within the Tremendous Bowl.

Huge receiver Montrell Washington — a former fifth-round number of the Denver Broncos — dealt with return duties in six video games with the Chiefs final season. Now again with the Chiefs on a reserve/future contract signed final week, the Samford product will hope a full offseason with the crew results in a extra lasting function.

Quarterback Chris Oladokun may even be with the Chiefs this offseason. The previous Pittsburgh Steelers seventh-rounder was elevated from the apply squad in Week 18 to function Blaine Gabbert’s backup in a sport the place few of Kansas Metropolis’s key gamers dressed. Oladokun’s 2024 contract with Kansas Metropolis seems to have $135,000 in assured cash, suggesting no less than an out of doors probability of changing Gabbert behind Patrick Mahomes.

Up to now, the one returning defensive sort out from the 2023 season is Neil Farrell — acquired in a minor commerce from the Las Vegas Raiders on the finish of camp.

The underside line

Counting the unique rights free brokers, the Chiefs presently roster 26 gamers who’ve been energetic for no less than one sport over the previous two seasons and have a number of seasons of rookie management remaining. Whereas some is not going to make the crew, their presence creates a excessive flooring for crew depth subsequent season.

The Chiefs mustn’t really feel pressured to overpay for marginal expertise in free company as a result of they’re flush with younger gamers who’ve contributed to Tremendous Bowl victories. As well as, the Chiefs could also be much less motivated to carry onto late-round draft choices; regardless of Kansas Metropolis’s latest day three successes, late-round rookies may need a steeper than regular climb to outlive 2024’s cutdown day.