Five Players Chiefs Could Sign In Second Wave Of Free Agency

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The hype and excitement of the first wave of 2022 NFL free agency has begun to wind down. For the Kansas City Chiefs, they have made two notable outside additions. Both JuJu Smith-Schuster and Justin Reid were tremendous signings for many reasons. Elsewhere, minor re-signings were made with players like Andrew Wylie and Derrick Nnadi. Veteran offensive lineman Geron Christian was even brought in as someone who could compete for offensive tackle depth.

Meanwhile, there are still some serviceable names available as we enter the second wave of 2022 NFL free agency. The Chiefs could still stand to add more reinforcements to the defensive line, specifically at defensive end. Adding another experienced player to the cornerback room would not hurt either.

Who are some other buy-low candidates or veteran options that Kansas City may consider in free agency’s second wave? We will list five players in total. This includes, two defensive ends, two cornerbacks and a linebacker. Let’s kick it off.

Tavon Young- Cornerback

Recently turning 28 years old, Tavon Young is someone who primarily defends as a slot cornerback. The Baltimore Ravens released him just before the start of the new league year. As a result, Baltimore opened a fair amount of salary cap space in the process.

There are a few reasons as to why Young could be a fit for the Chiefs defense. As a slot defender, he brings a strong combination of speed, ball skills and instincts. The way in which he can be used is also something that could appeal Kansas City. Young is not averse to rushing the passer on defensive back blitzes. Furthermore, he infuses a toughness when triggering against shorter passes or to stop the run.

If there is anything to be concerned about, Young does come with a precarious injury history. He tore his ACL in OTAs during the summer of 2017, forcing him to miss all of that season. Young suffered a neck injury in practice just before the start of the 2019 season. He missed all of that campaign too. Finally, the defensive back again suffered a torn ACL after just two games played in 2020. Young bounced back with three pass deflections, two sacks and one interception last season, while also appearing in all 17 games. Being able to hold up physically is something the team would have to be leery of.

Xavier Rhodes- Cornerback

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Unlike Young, Xavier Rhodes has already hit that 30-year-old age mark. How much longer can he produce? Well, Rhodes had quite the resurgence when leaving the Minnesota Vikings for the Indianapolis Colts. He appeared to be no match for resisting passes in the deeper areas of the field in the latter days of his Vikings tenure. But with Indianapolis, Rhodes found a groove in man coverage and was able to frustrate opposing receivers in the process.

That ball production is just one of the reasons as to why the Chiefs should be interested. Over the last two years with the Colts, Rhodes had 19 pass deflections, three interceptions, one defensive touchdown and one fumble recovery. He also surrendered a reasonable completion percentage allowed on targets of 60 percent or less in both of those seasons. Additionally, Rhodes can provide comfort and confidence in press-man coverage and in off-man coverage. That is a coverage that Kansas City cornerbacks routinely play on the outside of the formation.

Rasheem Green- Defensive End

Rasheem Green is a bit of an under the radar name among this 2022 NFL free agent class. A former third-round pick out of USC, this defensive end spent the last four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks. He experienced an up and down tenure with them. His production as a rookie in 2018 and as a third-year player in 2020 was extremely bare. In 2019, Green produced a fair amount of sacks, tackles, forced fumbles and pass deflections. His most productive season came last year.

Overall, he will not be someone who consistently turns in sacks week after week. Green’s pressures and ability to play the run could help, though. As far as his possible fit with the Chiefs goes, Steve Spagnuolo would definitely cling to his size, heavy hands and power at the point of attack. Green can also serve as someone that is capable of setting a firm edge in the running game. All in all, Kansas City could bet on the traits and the fact that he is coming off of his most productive season. Green would likely play within a rotational role.

Arden Key- Defensive End

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Arden Key was also a third-round pick in that same 2018 NFL Draft, like Green. Taken by the then Oakland Raiders, this defender took a great deal of time to find his footing. There seemed to be a lack of stylistic fit for him within that Raiders defense at the time. Whereas with his traits, Oakland was looking for immediate production from a pass rush perspective. Key was not as ready to handle that much on his plate, given what the Raiders were throwing his way.

After three seasons there, he moved on to San Francisco and joined the 49ers. Similar to Green, he is now coming off of his most impactful campaign after his lone year with the 49ers. He played in all 17 games last year. During that span, Key set new single season career bests in quarterback hits (17), sacks (6.5) and tackles for loss (five).

Key is more of a bender, compared to the aforementioned Green. In Kansas City, he could be used in a somewhat versatile role. That could severely depend on the down and distance that the opposing offense is facing. Yet, his speed, flexibility and length could suit the Chiefs defense well. Because of the lack of top of the market defensive ends still available, Key could hold a similar appeal to Kansas City as Green would. He is still young and has the potential to build off of a career best season.

Jayon Brown- Linebacker

A former fifth-round pick out of UCLA in 2017, Jayon Brown spent his first five seasons with the Tennessee Titans. There are many hats that he wore within that Tennessee defense. This included being asked to make run stops in space, dropping into coverage and making pass breakups or working downhill to plug gaps with quickness. Brown’s pass coverage ability may be the trait that puts him over the top. Especially when you consider his short area burst and processing speed, he is a perfect style of linebacker for today’s NFL.

Brown had 28 pass deflections, four interceptions and one defensive touchdown in pass coverage throughout his five seasons with the Titans. On top of that, he largely kept plays in front of him and was able to stun opposing pass catchers that were coming over the middle of the field. In terms of his fit with Kansas City, his ability to act as a veteran communicator and play caller, while also recognizing offensive blocking schemes would be monumental. With Anthony Hitchens gone, Brown could serve as the new leader and captain, so to speak for the duo of Nick Bolton and Willie Gay. He can still provide production as a three-down linebacker.

Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles throughout this week. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.