Assessing the KC Chiefs' Top 2024 Offseason Positional Needs
The Kansas City Chiefs are striving to become the first team in NFL history to win three straight Super Bowls. That journey begins with the offseason and making the necessary moves to prepare for the 2024 campaign.
General manager Brett Veach, head coach Andy Reid and other Chiefs personnel have already most likely had extensive meetings about their needs for the offseason and how they want to address them. Let's walk through some of those needs and a realistic plan of attack.
Wide Receiver
Has there ever been a more prominent need for the Chiefs entering an offseason? Besides Rashee Rice and Justin Watson, no wide receiver should be guaranteed a spot on the 2024 roster in Kansas City. Marquez Valdes-Scantling will almost certainly be released because Kansas City can save $12 million by moving on from him. The organization touted Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney as the top two wide receivers heading into 2023. Still, both failed to live up to expectations and neither logged a single snap in the team's run to a Super Bowl title.
The Chiefs may be better off moving off from Moore and Toney because of how poorly the 2023 season went. Mecole Hardman may be brought back due to his low projected price point and the value Kansas City puts on his speed.
Offseason plan of attack at wide receiver
Rice is locked into being a starter next season and Watson has Patrick Mahomes's trust, so having him as the fourth or fifth receiver is solid. In free agency, the Chiefs should add a mid-tier veteran or two. Names that fit the bill are Kendrick Bourne, Josh Reynolds and Darnell Mooney. All have had some success in the league, fit next to Rice and will not command a crazy amount of money. The draft is where Kansas City should try to get their alpha receiver, specifically in the first round.
Offensive Tackle
The Chiefs need an offensive tackle for the fourth offseason in a row. It's not because they have yet to try to address it, though. It's more due to the fact that they have yet to find the long-term answer at both tackle spots. Jawaan Taylor caught a lot of flak for his penalty problems throughout the season. However, his play took a step forward during the playoffs and we should expect that to continue into 2024.
The actual conversation occurs at left tackle. Donovan Smith was serviceable in his first season in Kansas City but was on a one-year deal and is on the wrong side of 30. Wanya Morris did see some time at left tackle during his rookie season, but it wasn't always a smooth ride. It's tough to see the Chiefs thinking they are set at left tackle heading into the offseason.
Offseason plan of attack at offensive tackle
Smith may return on another one-year deal. Kansas City could also look at other free agents such as Mekhi Becton and Yosh Nijman to come in and compete with Morris for the starting left tackle position. Even with an addition, there would likely be an expectation for a tackle to be taken in the draft. The value will probably not be there at the end of the first round but a Day Two selection, similar to Morris last year, could be in the cards for the Chiefs.
Defensive Tackle
The defensive tackle room looks barren when looking at the players under contract for the 2024 season. Neil Farrell and Isaiah Buggs are solid players who excel against the run but don't jump off the screen against the pass. The elephant in the room is the contract situation surrounding Chris Jones. Jones has been the third most important player during the Chiefs' dynasty and is now less than a month away from hitting unrestricted free agency. There is a belief that both sides would like Jones to stay in Kansas City, but something has prevented a deal from getting done. With the franchise tag for Jones being over $30M, it is doubtful the Chiefs use that on him.
Offseason plan of attack at defensive tackle
Nothing can be done without knowing what happens with Jones. The Chiefs will undoubtedly try to get a long-term deal done, but they must be ready to pivot if things don't work out. There are solid free agent defensive tackles who can immediately step in and help the defensive line. Whether or not Jones is on the roster in 2024, Kansas City should get young talent in the room by drafting a defensive tackle in the first two rounds or certainly in the top 100 picks.
