What are next offseason's priorities?
 

I'm curious what we foresee being next offseasons priorities?

I think we might be deeper than we've ever been, currently. We've had a plethora of draft picks in the last two seasons and I'm not sure we have a single hole on the roster.

I'm assuming we extend C Jones, and have enough to pay Sneed and Gay. I suppose we'll be looking to replace Thuney and find an eventual replacement for Kelce, but we seem pretty stacked and I'm wondering if next year we have enough assets and cap space built up to take a swing at an elite weapon?

What do you guys think?

For Thuney it depends if you think Kinnard or Carvin can take his place. If not G is certainly a place to look. Keep churning the talent at WR. DT can always use bodies as well.

I wonder if Morris isn't flexible enough to play both OT and OG, we'll see.

This is really hard to project bc guys like Omenihu and Tranquill could be excellent and then we don’t know if they come back or not

Omenihu signed a 2 year deal. He'll definitely be back.

You're probably looking at OG, S, DT.

Agreed. I might add LB to that list based on who we resign (Bolton and Chenal are the only ones under contract for '24 currently).

Yea, LB and TE could easily be added to that list. I think they bring back one of Gay or Tranquill though.

If Thuney wants to keep playing after this year he’ll be back. He might eventually have to take a pay cut. But he just had maybe his best year ever at 30. He’s going to retire here

Sneed is gone

We bring back Gay OR Trainquill depending on how the year goes

Sneed I’m 90% sure on. Gay/Tranquill like 50/50.

Veach doesn’t resign our own unless they are elite or come back for the league min. And next offseason Creed, Trey, Bolton, AND Toney (unlikely) will all be eligible for extensions

I don't necessarily see any huge glaring needs like a year ago when it was painfully obvious that WR, DE, and OT were all significant needs and at the very least needed bodies. It's too early to say for sure how well those needs were addressed, but at the very least there is competition there. That being said, in no particular order I see the following positions as possible needs depending on a number of factors:

CB - Depends on what happens with Sneed. If he's allowed to walk CB becomes a likely need. Won't necessarily be the top need but more depth will be needed.

LB - Depends on what happens with Tranquil and/or Gay, as well as the development of Chenal.

DT - In the unlikely event Jones is allowed to walk this easily becomes need #1 because the talent at the position is incredibly sparse after Jones. If he's signed then it falls down the list a bit.

WR - I've learned enough to not expect anything out of Rice this year. If he puts up 300 yards and 1-2 TDs that will be all you can really expect. Now, Moore and Toney have to show some significant growth this year. In the unlikely event neither one steps up and/or deal with injuries WR possibly becomes a rd 1-2 need yet again in KC, but hopefully that isn't the case. Still would be a wise move to add a WR no later than rds 3-4 nearly every year.

TE - Doubt Fortson can stay healthy, and Gray isn't an ideal #1 TE but is a good #2. Might want to finally consider looking for Kelce's eventual replacement.

DE, S, and OG don't appear as high up on the board in needs IMO but still could be considered depending on things that transpire in 2023.

Overall they should be in a good spot to hopefully stick to their board and just go BPA next year.

No mention of the biggest elephant in the room, the contract extension for Chris Jones? Are we just assuming that's a given?

So there's going to be ~45m of cap space for 2024 before you sign Chris Jones, and ~37 players on the roster after the current rookie and UDFA class are signed.

Assuming Jones gets 30m a year, with a cap hit of ~15m in his first year, there is a decent amount of money to play with.

The offense is still intact from 2023, the defense you're losing Gay and Sneed as noted by others already.

Spotrac has estimated contract values for both Gay and Sneed around the 7m a year mark. That in itself seems surprisingly affordable, but I still think they let Gay go. They may have to leave some cushion on the 2024 cap, or front load Jones deal, to make space for the future re-signings.

The other situation to watch is MVS, he would be easy to walk away from in 2024, which would free up a decent chunk of cash to go after a highly paid weapon, if the Chiefs wanted to go down that route.

If we have $45m in cap, and can get more if we extend CJ, then I don't see why we wouldn't pay $7m for Gay and Sneed each. You'd still have $30m to spend on, well, anything you want and there's no glaring needs.

CJ is not on the roster in 2024, so it’s not an extension and there’s no way cap space can be higher and sign him. You can do what you want in terms of splitting his hits over whatever contract he gets, but on the size of deal he is going to get giving him a tiny, sub 10m cap hit on the first year of a deal would be short sighted.

The problem with re-signing Gay is not his contract, it’s so you want to also sign Bolton the next year and have ~20m per year invested in 4 linebackers in 2025?

An elite safety with range would really help the defense.

Speed at WR.

I’m not sure I see any reason we can’t pay ~$21m for sneed, gay, and Bolton at ~$7m each + sign CJ. Not sure we’d have much room to play with elsewhere but those are all high caliber players worth retaining imo.

I’m confident that we’re cycling quality young talent at these positions. If we can continue to hit on our draft picks maybe we could find another star like Sneed or Hill.

Part of thinks adding just one elite offense weapon would be the cherry on top for this team. We’re super deep! I saw D Cook projected to us and I’m not sure that’s the right fit, but someone like Hyatt or Gibbs in next years draft would be fun.

in 2025, Creed, Trey are done with their rookie deals, and Justin Reed and MVS are also free agents again and Toney will be on his 5th year option, which as a 1st round pick will not be cheap. It's the problem with having a couple of successful drafts in a row (although a nice problem to have overall).

You can't pay all of these guys the market rate for their performance, you start spending $20m a year on linebackers in 2025 then you probably can't afford to be paying Creed, Trey and Taylor their market value on the Oline and actually have any weapons.

Just looking at 2024 in isolation, the cap situation looks great but it takes a turn pretty quick in 2025.

Theres zero chance sneed signs for 7m per.

He is one of the best corners in the league.

Ward signed for 13.5m AAV, and sneed is a better player.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Seemed low to me too, but that's what Spotrac has. They used contracts from Mike Hilton, Shaq Griffin, Rasul Douglas, DJ Reed as comps to get to the 7.5m figure.

Every Chiefs fan would agree Sneed is better than Ward, but I wonder if "pure outside corner" attracts a higher pricetag than Sneed's inside/versatility

I think we’re at a point (hopefully) where next year it’s less about hole-filling and more about upgrading starters with studs, where possible.

Would be fun to make a splash with an offensive weapon in the draft.

You let Reid and MVS walk. You cut Thuney. You keep Creed for sure and can probably keep Smith. You extend Toney if he's proven able to keep healthy. You might well let Bolton and Gay go if Chenal can man MLB, and he probably can with little to no drop-off. They should draft a WILL next year and a SAM.

Sneed you keep unless Connor is a major hit.

It'll be ok as long as you hit on a few of these picks.

My personal plan would mostly be in line with this. I'd consider cutting MVS next year for the 2m dead, depending on how Moore, Rice, Ross, Toney show out this year.

Reid can walk.

I think I would keep Thuney for 2025, and I would re-sign both Creed and Trey, their first year lower cap hits would overlap with Thuney's final year and then you look to get cheaper at LG after Thuney leaves/retires

I think the Chiefs probably keep Bolton and Sneed, and let Gay walk (or maybe bring back the cheaper of Gay and Tranquil on a sensible deal?).

No idea what to think about Toney yet, reserving judgement until seeing him play for another year. No idea if he's a WR1 or a replaceable gadget guy.

Doing all that, I think the team still looks great, obviously our opinions on these players could change in another year. I think the future looks good, but there still probably isn't room to throw 20m+ at a premier weapon for the 2024 season, even though the intial cap space number looks nice for 2024.

I’d say at the moment a speed WR for sure to replace MVS, a safety to replace Reid and another backer.

I don’t think we cut Thuney until 2025 so maybe a IOL on day 3

Another versatile corner is probably a need. If Sneed isn’t signed to an extension this summer I think he hits the market and get overpaid.

Why is Sneed gone? do we have insight on what he might be wanting?

I think it’s based what we did with Ward, and at that time we had even less depth. If the sophomores continue to play well, and the rookies look good too, I could see it happen.

That, plus his 3 concussions in the last couple years, and maybe they’d be willing to let him walk over some of the other dudes who need to get paid.

I should note that I love Sneed and his open field tackling is just phenomenal. Only so much money to go around.

LT and DT.

WR and TE.

At this point, whatever potential holes we have may end up strengths.

Just so hard to tell. No clue who develops or falls off etc.

I guess it depends how we're looking at it. There's potential gaps because guys move on, and then there's potential gaps because guys don't step up and we need replacements. For example OT and WR could be negligible priorities next year, or they could be major ones. The value of hitting on a WR means, for me, it's a position you want to try for almost every year in rounds 1-3. So irrespective of the roster I'm prioritising that most years.

I'd say DT because we are VERY thin there, and I think finding just an above average guy alongside Jones extends his career and increases his impact immensely. I think Gay goes and possibly Sneed, though I'd probably prioritise keeping the latter. And then safety and TE could be sneaky needs. We need to round out those rooms and prepare for Kelce slowing down. Oh and we need to reload at G too!

So I'd say first OT could be a big priority. If it's not then I'd be looking at LB to cover Gay and possibly Tranquil both going. I'd probably try and add a solid DT in FA as loads are coming on to the market. Lots of LBs coming on to but I feel we draft well there. So I'd probably say priorities are.

DT - FA
WR - R1-2 draft
LB - R2-3 draft (though also lots in FA)
IOL - R3-4 draft (nothing in FA)
TE - R4-5 draft
BPA - final rounds of draft, probably more DL and CBs!

I'm fine looking for a good athletic TE, but we aren't gonna "replace" Kelce with another Kelce so I'm not overly up in arms either way there.

I think you keep stocking the premium positions with draft picks. WR, DE, DT, OT.

DT
WR
IOL
TE
S
CB
LB

But a lot can change between now and then. Chenal developing and/or Gay or Tranquill re-signing could take LB off the list. Retaining Sneed would. Kinnard turning into a starting caliber OG would take that off the list. Kelce showing real signs of decline would send TE skyrocketing up the list, as would Moore not showing any signs of breaking out.

DT's the only thing that I just cannot see NOT being a high priority item next season. Even if Coburn is what we hope he can be, we're still gonna need to start putting a plan in place for life after Jones and DT depth can only help extend his career anyway.

G, DT and TE. Unless Gray breaks out this year, which I'm not expecting, then you HAVE to look at Kelce's replacement this upcoming offseason.

If I could get a Gay extension done for cheap, maybe, but otherwise, I dunno that I'm too interested in keeping him ?

If Kelce shows real signs of aging I wouldn’t be mad about the Chiefs pulling what the Packers just did getting multiple athletic TE’s with size. Obviously they had more draft capitol but if we used say a 2nd and 4th on those kinda players it would be real smart IMO.

Feel like replacing Kelce would be similar to Tyreek. Gotta have a variety of players giving you different things.

And as much as I like Noah Gray, he just doesn’t have the size to do some of the things Kelce can

Popping in to say hi. Enjoying my little break but noticed this one. Here are some roster analyses and what I feel.

Rank Pos Pending FAs [Pending 2025 FAs]
1 IDL C. Jones, D. Nnadi, B. Cowart, T. Wharton
2 LB D. Tranquill, W. Gay [N. Bolton]
3 OT D. Smith, P. Tega Wanogho [L. Niang]
4 CB1 L. Sneed
5 S3 M. Edwards, D. Bush [J. Reid]
6 QB2 B. Gabbert, S. Buechele
7 RB2 J. McKinnon, C. Edwards-Helaire
8 TE3 J. Fortson [N. Gray]
9 ST J. Winchester, T. Townsend [H. Butker]
10 ER4 M. Danna [C. Omenihu, J. Kaindoh]
11 IOL N. Allegretti [T. Smith, C. Humphrey]
12 WR R. James [K. Toney, M. Valdez-Scantling, J. Watson, Ju. Ross]

Potential 2024 Cuts
DE C. Omenihu, OG J. Thuney, WR, M. Valdez-Scantling

Other Likely PS or FA for 2023
IDL Danny Shelton
TE Blake Bell
C Austin Reiter
WR John Ross
IDL Daniel Wise
RB La'Mical Perine

2024 ERFAs
TE Kendall Blanton
CB Dicaprio Bootle
IDL Phil Hoskins
WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette
LB Cole Christiansen
WR Cornell Powell
EDGE Malik Herring
S Nazeeh Johnson
LB Jack Cochrane
QB Chris Oladokun
TE Matt Bushman
LG Mike Caliendo
WR Ty Fryfogle
RB Jerrion Ealy

So I guess LT can be added back to the list?

If Smith wins the job, yeah it probably should be added back.

I really want to start a "what will be the Veach reclamation project for next year" thread. So I'm just going to hijack this one, sorry. I'm thinking all FAs, no trades, and from that...

- Jalen Reagor - He's kind of been a disappointment, but he did show a bit of improvement last year. Good YAC, strong, good athlete.

- Laviska Shenault - Little chance he doen't resign but they've criminally underused him and with Mingo coming in he could drop further. If so I'd LOVE us to move for him.

- Isaiah Simmons - If Gay and Tranquil go it's possible. Probably too expensive but an elite athlete.

- Jonah Williams - Bad last year but actually OK it seems before then.

[QUOTE=kccrow;16937513]Popping in to say hi. Enjoying my little break but noticed this one. Here are some roster analyses and what I feel.

Rank Pos Pending FAs [Pending 2025 FAs]
1 IDL C. Jones, D. Nnadi, B. Cowart, T. Wharton
2 LB D. Tranquill, W. Gay [N. Bolton]
3 OT D. Smith, P. Tega Wanogho [L. Niang]
4 CB1 L. Sneed
5 S3 M. Edwards, D. Bush [J. Reid]
6 QB2 B. Gabbert, S. Buechele
7 RB2 J. McKinnon, C. Edwards-Helaire
8 TE3 J. Fortson [N. Gray]
9 ST J. Winchester, T. Townsend [H. Butker]
10 ER4 M. Danna [C. Omenihu, J. Kaindoh]
11 IOL N. Allegretti [T. Smith, C. Humphrey]
12 WR R. James [K. Toney, M. Valdez-Scantling, J. Watson, Ju. Ross]

Guys in bold are the only real difference makers on this list IMO, hoping Tranquill and Smith ball out but the rest I wouldn't worry about letting walk. If we can keep the guys in bold and those two play well, we end up with very few holes to fill next season outside some depth pieces.

I said LT before, but I stated in another thread that I think Andy Reid legitimately views Jawaan Taylor the same way he viewed Eric Fisher once upon a time: a guy who can man either tackle spot.

My guess is that in 2024, the Chiefs will either graduate Wanya Morris to starter at RT and flip Taylor to LT, or they'll just go out and find the best tackle they can get their mitts on at a reasonable price or draft pick and start Taylor at the spot that compliments him best. (I think this team has started to hate Niang's guts.)

I do think that tackle will remain a need going into 2024, but not strictly left tackle. I think Reid views Taylor as more flexible than that.

Why can't Morris play LT?

Watch his tape at Oklahoma.

He can barely play RT. He was not an awesome draft pick.

He's basically just a bet on measurables and coaching. I wouldn't count on Morris much going forward.

I'm just trusting that the brass is smarter than me when I say he could start next year. I really don't think he can.

If you're going on measurables and coaching....have them to all that at LT. He's not playing this year, next year get him ready to step in for Smith at LT.

First of all, I don't think Smith is lasting all season at LT. I'm guessing he gets benched by November.

Second of all, I just don't trust Morris. I don't think you go from middling Big 12 right tackle to NFL caliber left tackle in a year of coaching.

NFL caliber right tackle, however? I can see it, if I just trust in the staff.

The tape is not fun, however. He just loses a lot, and in a lot of different ways.

I think we're really well positioned to continue turning over our depth with young draft picks and developing a roster that can continue to dominate for years to come.

From here, I hope we'll get the chance to sprinkle in 1 or 2 spectacular talents that can really take us over the top!

In my estimation, the Chiefs should have 8 draft picks.

They traded away a 5th, but they should be adding two 5ths in compensatory formula.

Seems to me Smith has proven himself a solid LT over the years, and we trust Taylor at RT. I agree that if Smith doesn't work out and Taylor looks good that he gets consideration for LT or we draft a new one. Morris is going to get a shot to compete at RT, but I wonder if he could end up taking Thuney's spot at OG instead. If he turns out to be just a versatile depth OL guy, well, that's ok too!

I think we'll be pretty solid at OL, and pretty much every where else. The floors for all of our positions groups are high! I wouldn't give any of them lower than a B grade IMO. Additionally, we have 3 really spectacular standout players in Mahomes, Jones, and Kelce. Life is good! Thrive.

What about LT in the SEC?

Guys....if they're starting Taylor at RT they're not gonna flip him to LT half way thru the year. It's not ****ing Madden, they're not doing that.

So we use our cap space to resign Jones, Sneed, Gay, and assuming Smith and/or Tranquil fit like a glove and come back, then you have your back up QBs, Kicker/Punters, plus maybe Mckinnon and a few really cheap depth guys at DL, OL, or DB.... PLUS 8 DRAFT PICKS!?!?...We're pretty well dialed-in at every single position group!

We're "ahead of the curve," "primed for success," "totally-pitted in a clean overhead barrel" ;)

Andy Reid literally did it with Eric Fisher in 2015. I have a whole thread on this.

The guy they drafted 1st overall as a LT who was playing RT because of whatever reason?

Sure.

The RT they signed and has always been a RT?

Yeah, not disastrous at all.

I want to see where our cap space is for next year first before I reach that conclusion, but Veach has built a WR corps that can be competitive for years (and is going to be much better next year and the year after than it is at this exact moment). The DE position is built for the long run, and our back seven has so many players on fantastic contracts, we're spoiled. I also like where we are on the OL if they can figure out that other tackle position in the next year.

I really like how this team has been built for the long run, other than the DT position. Veach has his eyes on the horizon, it seems.

His efforts to jack up the team in the near-term, however, seem to have hit brick wall after brick wall. But he's made lemonade out of lemons by building the team's long-term stability, which I do deeply appreciate.

Well you can't do everything all at once, although Veach has done almost that. Some things are going to have to wait.

Is there a FA or trade out there that would make us better?

Not right now, I don't think. We need to play the kids, and see what we have.

Around the trade deadline, when some teams are dead in the water, we'll probably see some stocking up as we have nearly every year.

Sneed has special sneaky talent. I hope his ego doesn't get in the way of his ability to win rings right here in KC. Tuney is awesome but there's too much money on the OL. He needs to restructure a 3year extension at a reasonable price. 22mil is just too much.

I'm guessing though that a monster NT would be nice to add next year

I agree, but IF we don't feel as confident about one of our positional groups after preseason as we do now there are some names on trade block that would be excited at the opportunity to relocate to KC and win a Super Bowl I think:

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2...e-this-season/

On reflection it's going to be LT isn't it. It's not going to be Smith there, or at least that seems a massive long shot to me given his age at the least. Taylor was given some time to shift and they obviously decided against. Maybe he gets another go but I'd guess he'll end up being an expensive (and hopefully very good) RT that they hope the market ends up setting as a decent deal.

After that I actually think it'll be LB given who we're likely to lose, and given they do seem to value the role. And then WR - I think we'll keep swinging fairly early even if Rice, Moore and/or Toney really hit.

I would say DT but I just don't think this team values it. Unless Nnadi plays like last year and Coburn is somehow not much better, I'd guess we prioritise LBs good against the run and DBs with solid tackling before we care about nose tackles.

That's my way too early guesswork.

There's still plenty of space eating DT's out there for us. I wouldn't' worry about that fellas.

Once you get to offseason you can re eval what your needs are. WR may sort itself into a strength or could need more. Same with DE or S or really anything.

Just keep slamming draft picks into premium positions and you're fine.

My offseason priority is to get through the offseason. Actually, I'll be fine once training camp rolls around.

Do what it takes to draft Brock Bowers, let him learn from Kelce, enjoy more KC Super Bowls and yet another HOF TE.

I would love this. It's going to cost a lot. I'd be shocked if he isn't a top ten pick.

I wouldn't doubt it, barring a catastrophic injury.

To me, he's one of those rare guys whose talent leaps off the screen. Kelce wasn't nearly as good at the same age.

I'm bullish on the depth we have, nothing less than a B- from any of our positional groups IMO... I'd hope we can just keep our squad together and add a cherry of a weapon on top!