Even My Own
We are in the 3rd week of Free Agency with several problems that need to be resolved. Sure, a lot has been accomplished by the Defensive Line and Cornerback group haven’t really been addressed at all. On Friday much was published about the Chiefs and two experienced Cornerbacks. On Saturday, Tweets went out from trusted sources about the Chiefs working a deal with CB James Bradberry and also CB Stephon Gilmore. Nothing came to fruition over the last two days. I was hopeful that an agreement with Bradberry at the very least would be consummated.
It’s late Sunday night and there is no news at this time. Nate Taylor and others had tweeted that a deal was in the works on Saturday. At about 10 PM Sunday we have no new announcements. That does not mean that the discussions are not ongoing. I did remark that perhaps Joe Schoen, GM had the glitter of Draft Picks in front of his eyes.
Even Sports Illustrated got into the Free Agent Wheeling and Dealing regarding Bradberry.
We’ll have to wait until Mondy apparently and even then we will be waiting to see if anything unfolds with either Cornerback. Obviously, with Charvarius Ward in the wind of Free Agency, the Chiefs really need an experienced boundary CB. At this point, things remain in limbo.
Still No Edge Rusher–Yet
At the same time, the Chiefs have not signed a Free Agent DE. I have believed that Mel Ingram would be signed all along and that still has not happened. Arden Key remains available as well, though I see his volatile pass rush as more effective from the IDL. At the same time, Key’s versatility to move to the outside or inside is very an attractive proposition when considering the appreciation that Steve Spagnuolo has for players with versatility.
I want to refer back to Veach’s statement of direction at the outset. We have signed safeties, a starter quality LB(Carter, which I really like), a RB, and three WRs. He said about February 1st:
“We always have the thought process of not putting ourselves in a bind down the road, but we blend that with aggressiveness…We have a great group of guys coming back and the best quarterback in the game. We’ll be as aggressive as we can.”
While the Chiefs weren’t active in Phase One of Free Agency even though they signed WR JuJu Smith-Schuster and tagged OT Orlando Brown, JR, they were active and in the second week things did get aggressive.
On February first, in the same presser Veach stated:
“Knowing that we have a good offensive line in place, defensive line probably makes the most sense, and through the defensive backfield and what have you…I think the defensive side is one that we’ll probably focus on right off the bat.”
Events turned that focus aside but it still exists. I personally am on board with the direction and personnel decisions that have been made thus far. The Chiefs will be contenders for the Lamar Hunt Trophy — Again. They are still the favorites of the Odds-makers to win the AFC West. Managing Partner and owner Clark Hunt and Brett Veach are still on the same page as is Andy Reid.
The Neediest Position Groups & the Least Amount Invested
These three position groups, DE, DT, and CB appear to me to be the most at risk of starter quality players and depth. I checked for news just now. Nothing is reported. The Chief’s followers, fans, and pundits are all in the same boat = Wait ‘n see. One reason that the Chiefs are the optimum trade partner is GM Joe Schoen of the Giants is running down to the wire to free up cap space. The Chiefs need a solid CB. Brett Veach has pursued talks. For all outward appearances, the two GM’s perfect seem to be working on a trade. Both organizations would be poised and news out of both camps indicates that a trade deal is in the works.
At this point, the breakdown of spending clearly indicates that the spending on Defense Talent is lacking. According to Over-the-cap, Salary Commitments, current spending, available Cap Space and Dead Money are:
Total Cap Liabilities: $199,494,707
- Top 51: $178,574,138
- Team Cap Space: $23,274,118
- Offense: $108,931,240
- Defense: $76,214,613
- Special: $6,366,618
As you can see by the totals, spending for the defense Lags the Offense. With the flurry of a big trade which sent Tyreek Hill to Miami, the Chiefs gained enough cap space to have significant power to sign free agents. Deals that have been consumated have reduced the available space from $28M+ to $23m+. That is certainly enough money to sign both a Free Agent CB and a Defensive End. Should more funds be needed, Brett Veach could accomodate by doing a restructure with multiple players to get another $15-20M.
Am I Confident?
My point is that things are in flux and unresolved as of Sunday Evening. I have no doubt, midnight oils are being burned to come to the right kind of Signing or Trade that will improve the roster and cover exposures. For outsiders, it is a frustrating tail of chasing the tail until the Chiefs make an announcement. Do I have confidence that the Chief’s Brain Trust will Accomplish it’s goals in 2022 and expand on them in 2023? Uncle You bet I am.
The Power of the Draft
In 2022 and 2023 the Chiefs have significant draft capital. I wrote on Sunday that this brings flexibility and indeed it does. Having arrived in the red with cap space, as well as getting to a signifciant number of draft picks for both year, Brett Veach has multiple avenues available to explore and resolve position group weaknesses over the period of about 30 days until we get to the 2022 Draft.
2023 looks nearly as good. In 2023, The Chiefs could well have the following draft picks(6 in the essential top 100):
o Round 1
o Round 2
o Round 3
o Round 3 Comp Pick for Tyrann Mathieu
o Round 3 Comp pick for Charvarius Ward
o Round 3 The second year of Comp for Ryan Poles
o Round 4
o Round 4(Dolphins)
o Round 5
o Round 6 (traded to the Dolphins)
o Round 7 and possibly 2 more
Of course, this is a projection, depending on how lucrative the contract is for Mathieu. Ward’s new contract is significant so I do anticipate a round 3 compensation pick. I am highly certain the same will apply to Tyrann Mathieu signing elsewhere as well. This view does not accomodate a compensation pick for other departed Veterans in Free Agency.
It is easy to discern that rather than be both cash-poor and a team with poor positioning in the draft is nullified, despite the NFL Intent to enforce “Parity”.
The Hill Trade Has Turned Into “Goodness”
I began anticipating how harmful trading Ty Hill was going to be and indeed it is a trade which hurts. At the same time, what the trade has provided is escape from Cap Space captivity while at the same time providing draft picks for the retool that is going to take place in 2022 and 2023. This is “goodness”.
David Bell – ArrowheadOne