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The Kansas City Chiefs will look to deal with in-house free agents during the early portion of next week. But at the same time, this team is still open to adding outside free agents on the open market. We could see Kansas City add another wide receiver for Patrick Mahomes. Meanwhile, addressing the trenches in free agency would not be surprising, either. With that in mind, we are going to be looking at the Chiefs and 10 names who could be possible outside free agent targets this offseason.
We want to preface this by saying, these are not names that we are pushing for Kansas City to sign. Not all of these names are players we would add, if in the general manager role. We are not saying which path would be right or wrong for the Chiefs to go down. However, this is simply 10 names who make sense as additions for the Chiefs this offseason as outside free agent targets. There are also reasons as to why this group of players could be seen as fits for Kansas City. Let’s kick it off.
WR Calvin Ridley
Even after a year out of the league for a betting suspension, Calvin Ridley showed his athletic ability and speed had not completely dropped off last season. Those items were still factors for him to defeat the defense with in Jacksonville. All told, 2023 with the Jaguars was the second 1,000-yard receiving season of Ridley’s career. He also added 13.4 yards per reception and eight touchdown receptions, to boot.
From his career perspective so far, Ridley kind of has the type of profile that Kansas City general manager Brett Veach has previously targeted. As a possible Chiefs outside free agent target, especially as a weapon, Veach has not been shy about going after former first-round picks. Ridley is also sort of looking for that third chance to prove himself, so to speak. With his production last season, along with his mix of speed, route running and separation skills, Ridley could legitimately fill the role of WR1 for KC in 2024, if need be.
WR Marquise Brown
Wide receiver is arguably the team’s biggest need. That is why we will continue with a few other wide receiver options, as a result. Let’s move on to Marquise Brown, another former first-round pick. First and foremost, Brown possesses the ultimate speed that the Chiefs may be looking to add within a potential WR2 option. He can take the top off of the defense. At the same time, this wide receiver can also extend the throwing window and add separation on quick or horizontal routes. This could occur on both the outside or near the seams. Ideally, Brown’s yards after catch ability and ball skills would be an incredible match with Mahomes.
WR Darnell Mooney
Darnell Mooney has been a wide receiver that a good amount of people believe the Chiefs will have interest in as an outside free agent target. Most of all, Mooney has the speed that Kansas City has generally coveted at the wide receiver position. He has shown some growth as a route runner, as his career has developed. Moreover, Mooney can be a threat at all three levels of the field, if utilized correctly. His ball skills create even more intrigue, if Kansas City added him to this offense with Mahomes. Finally, current Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy was Bears head coach for the first two seasons of Mooney’s career in Chicago, for what it is worth.
WR Tyler Boyd
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Tyler Boyd is a little bit older than some of these other free agent wide receivers we mentioned. In recent years, Veach has been pretty stingy, not trying to overload the roster with older free agents. Yet, there is a clear secondary role he could possibly handle for Kansas City. The former Bengal could work out of the slot and be someone who can work in the intermediate to deeper portions of the field, if necessary. While Boyd is not a speed demon, he offers savvy route running, plus-level separation skills and instincts as a wide receiver. All of those items would appeal to the Chiefs.
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OT Tyron Smith
We go from finding Mahomes more weapons, to possibly a new left tackle for the star quarterback. Kansas City likely wants a veteran, experienced piece to be Mahomes’ blindside protector. A move like this would give Wanya Morris more time to develop. Certainly, Tyron Smith has dealt with injuries and is in the twilight of his career. However, the blocker may view Kansas City as a prime opportunity to be part of a top offense. Not only would he be blocking for the best current QB in the NFL. But, Smith could hope to chase a Super Bowl ring with the Chiefs.
DT Sheldon Rankins
Defensive tackle is a need for the Chiefs, with or without Chris Jones back in the fold. Kansas City could see Sheldon Rankins as a viable piece for a couple of reasons. For one, he offers impressive skills as a pass rusher, despite his dense frame. His quickness will not blow anyone away. Though, he is no slouch coming off of the line of scrimmage in the defensive interior. Rankins can still be a multi-down defender at this point in his career. Lastly, he tallied six sacks with Houston last year, his most in a season since 2018.
DE Dorance Armstrong
At defensive end, Dorance Armstrong also possesses a dense frame. The former Cowboys pass rusher offers plus levels of agility and lateral mobility for his size. On top of that, Armstrong has both explosiveness and a varied tempo that he can work with when rushing the passer. Overall, this defender could be a dependable depth piece for the Chiefs at defensive end.
DE AJ Epenesa
When watching AJ Epenesa, it is clear how physical and relentless he is within his pass rushing profile. That is something that matches what the Chiefs have had at pass rusher and defensive end under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Meanwhile, Epenesa has shown a development in hand technique and pass rush moves, too. Kansas City could see Epenesa as a serviceable, rotational piece inside their current defensive end group.
RB Antonio Gibson
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At running back, Antonio Gibson offers immense versatility. That could be a benefit to add around Isiah Pacheco, as the offense moves forward. Gibson can handle the third down role that both Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon enjoyed over parts of the last two years. Mainly, Gibson can add pass catching upside to the offense, knowing Kansas City likes to utilize the entire cast at running back and tight end outside of wide receivers. He has been able to add plenty of yards as a pass catcher after the catch as a running back.
RB Zack Moss
If you are looking for a running back to maintain a secondary rushing role, Zack Moss is an intriguing option. He proved himself as a tough runner in Indianapolis this past season when Jonathan Taylor was absent. Perhaps, Moss may cost a little more than Gibson per season. Though, his skill set offers a higher floor than what Gibson does, in my opinion.
Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles and analysis throughout the coming days. 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.