Laddie Morse
The Kansas City Chiefs now have more than $20M in cap space available — now that the L’Jarius Sneed trade is over with — and they could use this to improve the team. Many are already predicting just exactly what the team’s next move will be.
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Now that L’Jarius Sneed has passed his physical with the Titans. The first day of the coming draft is on Thursday, April 25th in Detroit. First, here’s the Chiefs Transitions in March:
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Let’s take a look at a few of the Chiefs options now that L’Jarius Sneed is gone:
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I hear this one a lot… if it’s Odell Beckham Jr. the answer is no. He seems selfish to me and the Chiefs don’t need that energy. If it’s Hunter Renfrow the answer is different. Renfrow has played for the Raiders and I think, generally speaking, that any time you can add a good player from another AFC West team your addition is their subtraction. Renfrow just turned 28 and his stats were great in 2021 (1,038 Yards Receiving on 103 receptions), but went way down the last two seasons. If he can return to 2012 form, he could be an asset and appears to be a fit with the Chiefs receiving crew. If Renfrow wants to play for a title contender, then let’s give it a go.
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If K.C. wants to give Donovan Smith another shot at protecting Patrick Mahomes blind side I wouldn’t complain. Only LG Joe Thuney along the OL had fewer penalties than Donovan Smith did in 2023. D. Smith started out the 2023 season in rough shape vs Detroit in Week 1, by allowing a 15% pressure rate and by the time Week 9 rolled around he had improved so much that he didn’t allow a single pressure to the Dolphins. If he wants to return on a team friendly deal, I’m all for it, after all, he is familiar with the Chiefs offense now. If he’s looking for a big bag of cash, then no.
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If we’re talkign about David Bakhtiari who turns 33 this November, I’d say “I’ll pass.” If we’re talking about Mekhi Becton who turns 25 in April, the answer is a “Conditional yes.” If he wants to play for a title contender on a team friendly deal with multiple years on the deal… then I’m all in favor of that. One of the problems I have with Veach’s approach to team building is that he hasn’t nailed down a great blind side protector for his All-Everything QB… for years to come. If Becton is available, he’d be my first choice over D. Smith.
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If the NFL held the draft today, then an Edge player — like Mike Danna — would most likely be a first or second round pick. If Veach can tie Danna up for multiple years — on a great deal for K.C. — then I’d love to see him return. He has been named by his team mates as the hardest working guy in the locker room. Since he already has their respect, that’s something that really hard to replace, no matter who you want to sign or replace him with. Right now, the Chiefs only have second year man, Felix Anudike-Uzomah lined up at the DE position, so they are face with a depth challenge and would be forced to draft or sign someone else. Danna is available, and he knows Steve Spagnuolo’s system, so let’s go and get him… if possible!
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In the event that Mike Danna is not a possibility, then signing a solid Free Agent Edge player appears to be a must priority before the draft arrives. Since Veach doesn’t like to enter Draft weekend with any apparent weaknesses, this seem like a 99% probability. If K.C. wants to sign a FA DL, they could bring back Emmanuel Ogbah. He may be 31 in November, but he’s familiar with the Chiefs system and DC Steve Spagnuolo. If it happens to be Jadaveon Clowney, I’m not in favor. I’ve never been a fan of his. Clowney has been with 5 different teams during his ten years in the NFL — and that should tell you something right there — but he’s never had double-digit sacks in a season. I think he’s been partly living off a college hit of a smallish RB in the backfield. (0:54).
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Since K.C. just sent a star CB away in a trade, could they possibly be in the market for another corner. For either a Free Agent CB or a Drafted replacement. Of course, we all know that L’Jarius Sneed is irreplaceable but the Chiefs like to keep the DBs room stocked full of potential starters so, it’s a possibility right? Well, probably not. Not because they don’t want one, but because the DB room is already deep and over-flowing with talented guys.
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The Chiefs are so deep at CB, I’ll be shocked if one of the Chiefs first two choices in the draft is a corner. In any event, here’s KCSN talking about replacements for Sneed:
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Some are calling for the Chiefs to re-sign Blaine Gabbert to preserve some consistency at backup QB. Others want to sign an experienced young guy like Chris Oladokun. I have no opinion on this matter and whoever Brett Veach signs is good with me. Oladokun is already on the roster so bringing back Gabbert means more cap used but he was 18 of 35 in week 18, the only game he started in 2023, but cost the team $1,165,000 (according to Sportrac.com). BTW, that works out to 65K per completion. However, if Gabbert is the choice, I’m good with it.
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The Broncos released Safety Justin Simmons on March 7th after playing for them for 8 seasons. He was taken in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft and ran a 4.61 – 40 yard dash coming out of college where he played for the Boston College Eagles. Simmons has caused the CHIefs many problems and as I mentioned before, and addition to the Chiefs while doing a subtraction to the Broncos, would be a huge plus all around. Simmons is 30 years old and will be 31 in November, but at 6-foot-2, and weighing in at 202 lbs. he has been the model of consistency for Denver. Over the last 6 season there is only one season that he didn’t play on 100% of the snaps and that was in 2021 when he played in 99% of the snaps. If the Chiefs can add Simmons to the group of stellar DBs, he could only help.
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I’d be in favor of bring back RB Jerick McKinnon for one more season. Why Not? He’s a great blocker and he has speed to burn, even at the rightful age of 32 (which he will be in May). McKinnon still runs a 4.41 which was what he ran when he came out of Georgia Southern. At the Combine that year he was noted to have run a 4.35 and a 4.38 so we know… he’s fast. The important idea is, he still is fast but — and perhaps more importantly – he’s a very, very good blocker. The Chiefs could also re-sign CEH (Clyde Edwards-Helaire) and it wouldn’t hurt my feelings. No, CEH is not what we thought he would be when he was drafted in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. However, he knows the Chiefs system and still has the moves that make him a valuable commodity… to the Chiefs anyway. Plus, they love him in the locker room. Here’s a memorable play of McKinnon’s (0:26).
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What do you think?
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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne
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