The Kansas City Chiefs Are Looking For The Right Fit In Free Agency 2019
The Kansas City Chiefs blew an opportunity to return to their second Super Bowl since 1970. The biggest disappointment is the Chiefs losing a winnable game in front of their fans. The loss placed a microscope on the root causes against the New England Patriots. All 32 NFL teams play to secure a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Chiefs played at home but failed to get it done. Especially when so many followers thought they were serious contenders. The loss to the Pats exposed their season-long defensive weaknesses of not applying maximum pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The team fell short collectively on offense and defense in the AFC championship game by not making adjustments throughout the game.
The continued inconsistencies on the Chiefs defense worried followers, experts and even head coach Andy Reid. Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton struggled to devise the solid defensive game plan for his personnel. The organization replaced Sutton with seasoned defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. The Kansas City Chiefs are looking for the right mix of free agents to make an impact in 2019.
Free Agency At Cornerback Or Safety Could Improve The Defense
In 2018 the NFL salary cap was $177.2 million but the 2019 projected cap will be somewhere between $187 million and 191.1 million. The new prosperity helps the Chiefs project between $42 million to $46 million to shop the free agent market and rookie signings.
The Chiefs need immediate help on defense, especially in their secondary. In the AFC championship game against New England, All-Pro QB Tom Brady picked the Chiefs defense apart.
The first line of business for general manager Brett Veach and Reid is to keep Chiefs free agent linebacker, Dee Ford. Secondly, they should scan the open free agent market carefully to bring in impact players. The FA’s mentioned are on the high-end side of market value. And their current teams could place the franchise tag on them. Here’s a list of defensive free agent fits for the Chiefs.
Introducing Defensive The Free Agents
Exceptional
Earl Thomas (Safety) – The Chiefs would join a busy field of teams pursuing Earl Thomas. The Dallas Cowboys has shown serious interest in this hard-hitting playmaker. The upside is Thomas is a ball hawk who could add instant skills to the Chiefs secondary. Add in his 28 career interceptions and 479 career solo tackles would be a great one-two punch with Eric Berry. Thomas is still in his prime at 30 years old but is coming off an injury. He will be looking for a very lucrative guaranteed contract.
Blue Collar
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (Safety) – Clinton-Dix the 26-year-old safety recorded 355 total tackles with 14 interceptions since 2014. He started his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers and was traded to the Washington Redskins in 2018. The upside to Clinton-Dix is he is a smart, instinctive player who knows where the play is going before a play develops and he is a great tackler who can play inside the box for run support. Expect Clinton-Dix to ask for top-five market value for safeties.
Quick Witted
Bryce Callahan (Cornerback) – Bryce Callahan has helped the Chicago Bears defense become the third-ranked defense in the NFL. This top slot cover corner gets to the ball fast and can tackle effectively. He plays fast while compiling two interceptions and 45 tackles in 2018. The Chiefs defense could reap huge benefits with Callahan because of his ball hawk skills.
In summary, the Chiefs defense can only improve with a new scheme with the current mix of exceptional defenders such as Ford and Berry and in the draft and free agency.