Chiefs: 3 Free Agent Possibilities

Chiefs: 3 Free Agent Possibilities

by Paul Pulley | March 2, 2019

Although the NFL Combine is in full swing, the beginning of the Free Agency Period, and the start of the official new league year, is less than two weeks away. So, let’s take a look at 3 Free Agent possibilities for the Chiefs when that time comes.

DT Sheldon Richardson

Sheldon Richardson was a 2013 first round draft pick by the New York Jets. He was the 2013 defensive rookie of the year and in 2014, he made the pro bowl. Richardson played two more years for the Jets, then was traded to the Seattle Seahawks for the 2017 season. In 2018, Richardson signed a one year deal to play for the Minnesota Vikings. Richardson could play both defensive tackle and defensive end, he can generate some pass rush up the middle and is good versus the run. Having both Richardson and Jones on the field together, with both players able to play inside or out, would allow the Chiefs to give their opponents a number of different looks with the defensive line. Richardson is 28 years old and he might be worth a look as a Bailey replacement if the price is right.

DE Mario Edwards Jr.

Mario Edwards Jr. was drafted in the early 2nd round of the 2015 draft by the Oakland Raiders. He was a backup DE his rookie season, and then missed almost the entire season of his second year to a hip injury. Edwards started as a DE across from Kahlil Mack in 2017. Last year, Edwards was waived by the Raiders as part of the Gruden cleansing. He was picked up off waivers by the New York Giants. Edwards started his career with some promise, but has had some injury problems since the end of his rookie season.  Edwards strengths are more as a run defender than pass rusher. I don’t think Edwards will get a lot of interest in the free agent market, but he could be worth a look on a one year prove it deal, just to see if he can provide a boost to the Chiefs porous run defense. With Houston apparently on the trading block and Ford’s future not yet determined, some depth at the DE position might be prudent. Depth at the position might become a need if the development of Kpassagnon fails to advance.

Free Safety Tre Boston

Boston was a 4th round draft selection in 2014 for the Carolina Panthers. Boston was waived after three seasons with the Panthers. He played the 2017 season for the LA Chargers and last year for the Arizona Cardinals. Even though Boston has played for three different teams in the past three seasons, he has still managed to post similar stats each year and in some cases has even improved. Boston is a solid tackler and good in coverage with very good hands. Boston’s ball skills have improved, he has 11 career interceptions with 8 of those in the last two seasons.

Listed at 6-1 and 205 pounds, Boston will turn 27 years old this summer. If the Chiefs could manage to get both Tre Boston and Landon Collins in free agency, the defensive secondary would be so much improved, I don’t think we would recognize it.

I think any or all of these players could make improvements at the weakest positions on the Chiefs roster. Unless Houston is traded, Berry is cut and Ford is allowed to walk, I don’t imagine GM Veach will be this aggressive in free agency, but we will soon find out.

OT Greg Robinson: an Afterthought

I had an article almost finished, one that I had titled “Free Agent Focus: Greg Robinson.” Then… the Cleveland Browns reportedly signed Robinson to another one year contract. in the event that doesn’t happen, here’s what I think about Robinson as a potential fit for the Chiefs. Robinson was a first round, 2nd overall selection of the 2014 draft by the Saint Louis Rams. Being moved all over the Rams offensive live, he played poorly for the Rams for three years and was traded to the Detroit Lions for the 2017 season. Robinson was waived by the Lions with an injury designation after suffering an ankle injury. Robinson then signed a league minimum deal with the Cleveland Browns last summer, where he served as a reserve offensive lineman until week 9, that’s when Greg Williams took over as head coach of the Browns and Robinson was named starting left tackle. 

Coincidently, week 9 is the week the Chiefs went to Cleveland to play the Browns. Apparently, going from the number 2 overall draft pick to almost out of the league lit a fire under Robinson, as he finished the season very well, only giving up one sack the Browns final 8 games, none against the Chiefs. 

Watching the Chiefs vs Browns game, Robinson was actually very impressive. Now, I will admit that Justin Houston missed this game and Robinson’s primary opponent was Breeland Speaks, but Speaks had no luck at all against Robinson. Speaks was credited with 4 tackles in this game, but only 1 was in the backfield, and that looked as if the Browns RB mistakenly bounced outside and Speaks was able to disengage and made a good tackle. Speaks also made a very good play against Robinson on a 2 pt. conversion attempt.

Throughout this game, Robinson also faced off against, Allen Bailey, Jarvis Jenkins, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Dee Ford and Chris Jones. Of the half a dozen times Robinson and Jones squared off, Jones won twice, but wasn’t able to make the play either time. On the other hand, Robinson put Jones of his back twice, so this matchup was pretty much a draw. None of the others had any luck at all, and when any of the Chiefs,  including Jones, tried to bull rush Robinson, he was a brick wall. On the other hand, I watched Myles Garrett shove Eric Fisher back into Mahomes lap several times.

As Robinson is just 26 years old, he is a player to keep an eye on for next off-seasons free agency. At 27 years old in 2020, and with Fisher’s contract escapable in 2020, Robinson could make an excellent money saving upgrade at the Chiefs left tackle position.

Paul Pulley — ArrowheadOne

If you are viewing this in Apple News and would like to join the Discussion, [GO HERE.](http://arrowheadone.com/chiefs-3-free-agent-possibilities/#disqus_thread)