As we approach the start of the 2020 free agency period the Kansas City Chiefs have been very quiet.
The quiet has mostly been due to salary cap constraints and the team prioritizing their own free agents. They’ve worked to create cap space by restructuring the contract of defensive end Frank Clark. That move has provided the breathing room they needed to get under the salary cap, but not much more.
There are a few spots the Chiefs should look to reinforce in free agency and we now have word that they’re specifically looking into one spot. According to NFL reporter Adam Caplan, K.C. is looking into coverage linebackers in free agency. He says that if they don’t sign one of the remaining players in free agency, they’ll look to address the position in the draft.
While #Chiefs don't have a lot of cap space, they're looking into adding a coverage LB, source said. If they don't get it done in free agency, will come in draft.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) March 17, 2020
It’s not surprising to hear the Chiefs are looking into this position. Kansas City traded for Darron Lee last season but he is departing in free agency. He didn’t exactly pan out as they’d planned and primarily played special teams. The front office and coaching staff envisioned the 2019 free-agent acquisition, Damien Wilson, as the SAM linebacker. Last season, Wilson was pressed into playing the WILL linebacker role as Reggie Ragland played the SAM spot. Now that Ragland is expected to depart in free agency, Wilson can return to that role.
The linebacker position in the NFL is evolving. You need guys who can play multiple downs and are capable of playing the passing game and matching up with tight ends, slot receivers and running backs. There are several guys with coverage ability that remain available right now. I covered a few options to replace departing free agents here. One of those players, Nick Vigil, is still available and a fit for what they’re looking for.
Some other options that are available include Nigel Bradham, who was released by the Eagles and wouldn’t count against the compensatory pick formula. Ravens linebacker Josh Bynes was good in coverage last year and remains a free agent. From there the options begin to thin and you’re banking on players returning to their previous form after a down year.
Perhaps the draft is a more suitable option for Kansas City. Many teams with a presumed need at linebacker have filled those needs in free agency. Teams like the Packers, Giants, Raiders and Jaguars are likely out of the running to select a linebacker early in the draft. This could leave some of the top players like Oklahoma LB Kenneth Murray and LSU LB Patrick Queen available for the Chiefs at pick No. 32.
Free agency has only just begun, so we’ll have to see how things playout for the Super Bowl champions over the next several weeks. At the very least, fans now have an idea of the type of free agent they might consider bringing in.