David Bell
Projecting the Brett Veach ‘To-Do’ List
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Some outsiders are calling this another Chiefs Rebuilding Year. That mis-applied phrase should be called a Focused Retool year. Unfortunately, the previous OT retool fell on Hard Times with the impending departure of LOT Orlando Brown’s because of his view of himself as a TOP LOT. He was –> not that player. Brett Veach chose not to involve himself in seeing the OBJr. Saga extend into camp time this year. Myself? It was the right thing to do. It happened. I now see many articles and videos about the Chiefs Rebuild or Retool plans. My thoughts delve into what I think is in the plan, as of today.
Right now, for the Ravens, a similar saga is going on with QB Lamar Jackson. The Ravens finally tagged him with the non-exclusive tag. We’ll see where that goes. However, it has to affect the Baltimore locker room, no matter what. I personally do not believe he is worth what he believes himself to be, but then again, Daniel Jones got a great deal out of the NY Giants. I don’t understand what they were thinking over there in the Meadowlands.
Veach has a daunting task for the 2023 offseason, but it is undoubtedly reasonably achievable. So that’s where a “To-Do” List comes in.
Brett Veach’s To-Do List
Having decided not to ‘invest’ in either Orlando Brown, Jr. or Frank Clark, those decisions force Veach, the Scouts, as well as Andy Reid & Co. to dig deep into a “Re-tool” effort… once again. The task is complicated and certainly extends to multiple position groups. Unfortunately, Offensive Tackles once again are the focus (Laddie will have a piece on the Tackles tomorrow). This is true since Andrew Wylie is also a free agent (when the new league year starts next week).
The top priorities are LOT, Edge, DT, and adding a WR. Extending that list, I would add CB or S, and RB. I also think that’s where the effort is made, and we will see a two-pronged effort. For example, sign a Veteran LOT, and also draft a LOT (of the future). Another example might be to re-sign Carlos Dunlap and draft an Edge Rusher. I wouldn’t mind seeing CEH traded away, although he could return for one more season. It would be remarkable if Brett Veach could finagle a 5th-round pick for CEH.
Brett Veach must have previously set in motion a plan with much of it in place to release both Brown and Wylie and, at the same time, cut Frank Clark. This eliminates Cost for 2023 and gains $20M+ in cap space. In doing this, Veach lets Andrew Wylie Depart in Free Agency and refrains from over-paying a barely average OT. It does cause dependence on inserting Lucas Niang into the role of starting ROT. At the combine Presser, Brett Veach said that Niang would be penciled into the ROT Role if Wylie departed. He also said that they believed he would succeed. Unless that becomes an abject failure, I will observe that Niang won the starting position in 2021 over Andrew Wylie and others. An unfortunate Injury caused by ROG Trey Smith falling on Niang, knocked Lucas out for the season.
I have absolutely no doubt that a plan was already in place before March 7th.
Lyle Graversen offered this sentiment about 2023, and I agree wholeheartedly:
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My View of Veach’s “To-Do” List
As I see it today
Keep in mind that if Brown, Wylie, Thornhill, and Allegretti were to depart in F/A… the Chiefs would gain comp picks for each player. Having said that, it fits into the larger framework of the “Long-Term Plan.” At this point, after gaining cap space with Frank Clark, the Chiefs have erased the negative ledger balance and now have $17M+ Cap space available. The “Long-Term Plan” must be to include getting younger, faster, and more aggressive. I am uncomfortable thinking that Mike Danna will be a likely starter as an edge rusher. I am certain that Derrick Nnadi departs and I am unconvinced that Khalen Saunders fits the short-term or long-term plan. However, this is just my view and although I’d like to retain Nick Allegretti, I’m not convinced he’s worth a starters-type new contract. However, I love his versatility and his fit with the Chiefs team pesona.
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1. ☑ Extend Chris Jones – that’s the first job on the list. It will be costly, but I must observe that CJ has stated he wants to be a career Chief. Because of that, restructuring contracts for other players is necessary (See Item 2). Essentially Chris Jones is the cornerstone of the defensive Front. Getting this completed is a must!
2. ☑ Restructure the contracts, gain more cap space – Kelce, Thuney, Reid, Butker, and Mahomes. Get the space needed to rework the roster, get younger and extend KC’s competitiveness to get to the Super Bowl in 2023 and beyond. Such Restructuring is going to be necessary. How much and how many players are involved remains to be seen.
3. ☑ Figure out the direction in Free Agency – I think this is logical. Having saved money by not spending it (Orlando Brown) and gaining $20M+ in Cap space by releasing Frank Clark, The Chiefs are in great shape to participate in Free Agency. If I had to guess, Extending a multi-year contract to Smith-Schuster is a priority.
4. ☑ Let Em Walk When Necessary – all the Chiefs UFAs are out in the marketplace, testing to see what their value is. Brett Veach can decide to make an offer that competes, or he lets them float off in Free Agency. Close contact is kept with each player until the final decision is made by Veach, Reid, and by default Coordinators Nagy and Spagnuolo (and their position coaches).
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At this point, the players that are a factor are: OT Orlando Brown, OT Andrew Wylie… and you can color them gone. WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, S Juan Thornhill, WR Mecole Hardman, DT Derrick Nnadi, S Deon Bush, RB Ronald Jones, FB Mike Burton, TE Blake Bell, DT Brandon Williams, DT Khalen Saunders, RB Jerick McKinnon, IOL Nick Allegretti, WR Justin Watson. I want to refer to an article by Lyle Graversen posted not long ago. There is no player on this list that is a “Must Retain” player. They can all be replaced, and the Chiefs could still move forward and compete for the Super Bowl this coming season. The only player on this list I see as necessary is JuJu (if they can get the right deal).
Were I Brett Veach, I would try to retain WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, RB Jerick McKinnon. DT Khalen Saunders, and IOL Nick Allegretti. I also think I know that Reid will retain Mike Burton because he always wants a FB in the mix. The most expensive player to offer a contract to… would be JuJu. I am pretty sure McKinnon, Saunders, and Allegretti will return in 2023.
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5. ☑ Decide who to sign among RFAs and ERFAs – No player on this list is an expensive proposition; save probably Tommy Townsend. There are three players in the RFA list. As far as I see it, all three will be retained: DT Tershawn Wharton, P Tommy Townsend, and LB Darius Harris. There are 3 different levels of RFA retention. All three players will be retained. There are also three players on the ERFA list. TE Jody Fortson, OT Prince Tega Wanogho, and QB Shane Buechele. I don’t think the Chiefs would fail to submit a qualifying offer for any of these players to keep them in-house.
6. ☑ Re-sign JuJu Smith-Schuster if possible – If he stays, the WR room would be just about complete: MVS, Moore, Toney, Smith-Schuster, Wilson (who would have to get a new contract), and perhaps Justyn Ross. Add a draft pick and I’d judge this to be a good WR group.
7. ☑ Be active after the first wave of free agency – if possible, with a specific eye on players released by other teams, find the correct value in Wave 2 of free agency.
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Now, Onward to the Draft
Priorities OT, Edge, DT, WR
8. ☑ Trade up in Round 1 – trade up in Round 1 for the right player and in 2023’s case, I think it will be the LOT (of the future), but don’t be surprised if it’s an edge player. Also, consider trading up in rounds 2 or 3 –> the Chiefs have at least 12 draft picks and just added a second third-round pick with the NFL Compensation Assignments.
9. ☑ Draft a DT – someone who compliments Chris Jones
10. ☑ Draft a cornerback – someone who fits, I see this coming in Round 4.
11. ☑ Trade a 2024 draft pick – Consider trading a 2024 draft pick to acquire the right player to fit as an immediate contributor.
12. ☑ Trade Clyde Edwards-Helaire if possible – trade Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Get some value back for him. The most boastful would be a 5th-round draft pick. If Veach could get that, DO IT
There it is – An initial Veach “To-Do” List.
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David Bell — ArrowheadOne
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