Please take a moment to review the accomplishments of Brett Veach and his staff, working with a symbiotic tether to the front office and Andy Reid’s coaching staff. What has been a polished and honed Accomplishment list is leading the Chiefs team onto new turf. It’s a cerebral process. Seth Keysor described the idea that the Mahomes Window One was closing. Where we are now is at the opening of Window Two.
List of Transactions and Players–Best So Far
The Chiefs have signed some of their Free Agents and Added them to the Roster in Free Agency. The two most noteworthy subtractions are Anthony Hitchens, who was released in late February, and then the trade of WR Tyreek Hill.
Free Agency Basics
- RB Ronald Jones signed-3/26 – I really like the addition of Jones to the RB group. He adds strong downhill running to the RB Room.
- LB Jermaine Carter Jr. signed -3/25 – This is a strong addition to the LB group to Accompany Gay and Bolton!
- WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling signed-3/24 – a top-level signing with size and strength.
- TE Blake Bell signed-3/24 – Vet with TE Playbook Experience and very good blocking TE as well.
- C Austin Reiter signed-3/23 – A move that I didn’t see happening but Reiter also has Vet Experience and is a former Chiefs starter.
- S Deon Bush signed-3/23 – After signing Justin Reid, Veach added a solid pro to the Safety Group(Mathieu, Watts & Sorensen depart)
- LB Elijah Lee signed-3/22 – Part of the new LB crew. Niemann and O’Daniel are Free Agents.
- WR Corey Coleman signed (3/22) – WR addition acquired with the Veach Profile of bringing former Round One draft picks aboard.
- DB Luq Barcoo signed (3/22) – I need to look more deeply at what he brings to the table.
- DT Derrick Nnadi signed (3/20) – Solid versus the run and a rotational strength for that reason(We need a 3 down DT though).
- OT Geron Christian signed (3/20) – Slow developer but I believe he has a higher ceiling than most(The New SW/T).
- WR JuJu Smith-Schuster signed (3/18) – Another strong addition to the WR group with size and speed.
- OT/OG Andrew Wylie signed (03/1?) – Versatile & dependable as proved in 2021; former OL Starter & tier two replacement. Was huge for the Chiefs in 2021 when Lucas Niang was injured.
- TE Jody Fortson signed (03/16) – the TE that we all had a crush on in 2021 until he was injured. I have high hopes for Fortson.
- Justin Reid – a very good safety signed which indicated that Tyrann Mathieu would not be retained.
Other players signed back aboard, such as RB Derrick Gore, QB Chad Henne, and more.
Every player listed above in the Acquisition list has a role to play, and many will be impact players for 2022. Sure. There is more work to do. But, thus far, the Free Agency additions are significant and fill in gaps and depth.
From Various Sources (Sorceresses and Temptors)
I think it’s true that the sports media is a Tempress. I am using specific examples, below.
- Veach is pursuing a trade with the Giants to Obtain the services of CB James Bradley. GM Joe Schoen acknowledges the pursuit.
- Veach has tendered an offer to CB Stephon Gilmore
- Veach is calling up various GMs who have quality #1 Wide Receivers. I presume this is ‘Due Diligence’.
- The Chiefs are seeking a DE in Free Agency and a 3-down DT.
As a prop, let’s use one tweet with three players who were rumored to be selected players named for whom the Chiefs had interest and have pursued. 2 have already signed from this mention, March 24th.
There are at least statements in the media that Veach is calling around for a #1 WR:
That the Chiefs were pursuing a trade with the Giants in order to bring CB James Bradberry aboard. This is a position group sorely in need of retooling with experienced players. Above I mention Gilmore. I like Bradberry even more, and NY is trying to dump Cap salaries – a perfect match for KC and NY. A potential trade for Bradberry was observed by Nate Taylor on Saturday, March 26th. Apparently, he thought the deal would be consummated quickly, but it was not.
ESPN Got into the mix about Trading for James Bradberry and Aaron Wilson. See his tweet below.
Projecting Perfectly? (at least logical in my dream world)
Cornerback
Both Gilmore and Bradberry sign with the Chiefs. Gilmore’s contract demands drop slightly, making it possible for Veach to cut a deal. At the same time, Schoen and Veach will agree. Veach sends a 4th and a 7th round draft to the Giants. The Chiefs have solid experience in the CB room to match up with L’jarius Sneed and Rashad Fenton by making these two transactions. In 2022 Veach will also draft at least one CB.
The Front Four
Brett Veach is surely working closely with DC Steve Spagnuolo and DL coach, Joe Cullen. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that the Front four need significant help to boost their pass rush. We did retain Frank Clark but there is no starter on the other side for the Edge role. I firmly insist that there is no possible way that a round one draft pick won’t be used for the position. Experience is going to be key as well. It is my view that the Chiefs might well dip twice into the draft pool for an edge defender.
Defensive End – Well, gee-whiskers. Soon, I cannot tell how soon, but soon, Melvin Ingram will sign an agreement to bring him back to the Chiefs. The problem in the way was first, taking care of the secondary. Then it was the amount of money and contract duration. I have two reasons that I want this to be a done deal:
- In 2021, when Ingram got on the field, he brought excitement — the “Juice”.
- In my view, he is a perfect tutor for incoming rookie Edge Defenders
What will the Chiefs do with their first five picks? They will draft at least two Edge defenders, aiming for other teams to pass on Ojabo while adding Boye Mafe in the 2nd round. That’s my dream world projection for the edge.
Who are other Veterans who might be considered? Chandler Jones Former Cardinal, is coming off an injury season which might temper the contract demands. Randy Gregory has the pass rush credential but probably will be a hard reach for Chief’s money. Arden Key, and I like his versatility. He can move inside and has and be effective also. Harold Landry III is completely dependable and availability is the #1 ability that applies to all players. He is an ironman Edge defender. But my choice is to sign Ingram.
Defensive Tackle? – I fail to see how the IDL won’t also require an upgrade. We have brought Derrick Nnadi back to the fold. Tershawn Wharton and Khalen Saunders are depth players. The top three or four Defensive Tackles will go in round one or two. I see then, that Veach must use one of his first two picks for a DT. This would make the plan to draft two Edge players more difficult but not out of reach.
I see them drafting a DT with either pick 29 or 30. Then depending on circumstances, drafting the targeted WR with the other OR one of the two DE targets. That would bring power to the changeout along the defensive line.
Our New Defensive Line Coach, Joe Cullen, needs a 3-down DT which, if added, would bring a powerful influx of bodies to pressure the opposing Quarterback. Pressure, Hits, and Sacks are necessary for 2022. A good bet is to use a top draft pick to get the right player. I think Jordan Jordan Davis-Georgia will be a top 15 draft pick and out of reach without using 2 high picks to trade up into a position to draft him. However, DeMarvin Leal-Texas A&M or Devonte Wyatt-Georgia might be possible to obtain, maybe even as late as either of the Chief’s first-round draft picks. Even if Veach had to use a round 1 or 2 pick to bring Wyatt or Leal to KC, I would not complain.
I really don’t have a Veteran Free Agent 3-down DT to pursue. Do you?
Wide Receiver – Probably a lot more plausible is Veach gets this done or something similar to what I propose. With both Smith-Schuster and Valdes-Scantling providing dual pressure against the enemy secondary, I can see success by mixing and matching TE’s and RB’s into the receiver equation. Noah Gray and Jody Fortson can be impactful as a receiver. It would be great if Veach were able to fashion a trade for a top WR out of thin air.
Run Game? – I think the signing of Ronald Jones Improves the Running Attack. He has weaknesses: Not a good receiver nor a good pass protection RB. Between tackles and speed to get to the edge and get downfield? Bring it, Ronald!
It Might well be that Brett Veach can find a high-quality but disgruntled trade opportunity with another team to bring their #1 WR into the fold. Names that are bandied in the press for the WR are numerous. The one I like is Laviska Shenault.
Well, I can dream of perfection, can I not?
Laddie Morse is not here to temper my enthusiasm.
David Bell – ArrowheadOne