So far this season, the defense has clearly been an issue, so here we go...

FREE AGENTS
Malcolm Butler, CB (NE)
Butler is a premier corner in the NFL, sticking in coverage to his man, following elite receivers, and making plays on the football. He's also solid in run support, something he'd hopefully pass along to Marcus Peters.
(reference J. Norman, X. Rhodes, P. Peterson)
5 years, $70.0 million, $15 million signing bonus, $35 million guaranteed
~ $11.0 million 2018

Christian Jones, ILB (CHI)
Jones has been an outstanding reserve for the Bears, but it's time for him to be a full-time starter in the NFL. He's got speed to cover and size to take on blocks. He's been very productive when given the opportunities.
(reference D. Bates, C. Robertson)
3 years, $8 million, $1.5 million signing bonus
~ $2.0 million 2018

Quinton Dial, DL (GB)
Dial was outstanding as a starter at nose tackle in San Francisco and was solid as a rotational end. He can make living stuffing the middle and won't cost $8 million per to do it.
(reference Z. Hood, M. Unrein)
2 years, $2.3 million, $300k signing bonus
~ $1.0 million 2018

Justin Coleman, CB (SEA)
Coleman has been a solid reserve corner in both New England and in Seattle and he's only 24. He could be a nice get for a team starved for talent at the position.
(reference J. Bademosi, M. Sherels)
2 years, $4 million, $1.5 million guaranteed
~ $1.5 million 2018

Total: ~ $15.5 million 2018

Re-Sign:
Anthony Sherman, FB
One of the best fullbacks in the league and great on special teams. He's worth his money.
(reference P. DiMarco)
4 years, $8.5 million, $2 million signing bonus
~ $2 million 2018

Tyler Bray, QB
With Mahomes set to take the reigns, Bray is the only other QB that knows the offense. He's not worth much, but he's worth keeping around for a year or two yet.
(reference R. Griffen, K. Clemens, B. Weeden, C. Daniel, etc)
2 years, $2.4 million
~ $1.2 million 2018

Zach Fulton, OL
Fulton is a very solid reserve at guard and center. He shouldn't command too much on the market, so he's worthy of re-signing for his experience and versatility.
(reference T. Larson, M. Slauson, T. Johnson, etc)
3 years, $5.8 million
~ $1.8 million 2018

Terrance Mitchell, CB
I'm pretty down on Mitchell right now because he's played pretty terrible this season after showing tremendous promise in 2016. I think Mitchell has some value as a nickle/dime guy yet, so he might be worth bringing back but it has to be cheap.
(reference S. McManis, C. Sensabaugh, etc)
2 years, $3.0 million
~ $1.5 million 2018

Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DL
RNR has flashed some decent ability, but he doesn't look to be starting material. He seems at his best as a rotational nose.
RFA Tender Original Round
~ $1.8 million 2018

Terrance Smith, ILB
Smith is solid on special teams and will be cheap to retain on his tender, so why not?
ERFA Tender
~$630k 2018

Kevin Pierre-Louis, ILB
I think KPL has shown enough that he at least warrants bringing back on a vet min deal for another season. I'm not sure I'd lock him up just yet, but solid reserves are nice to have.
1 year, vet minimum $790k

Total: ~ $8.2 million 2018


Estimated 2018 Net Increase Against Cap: $10.2 million
Total Cap Space needed: $23.1 + $5 million buffer + $3 million effective draft = $33.1 million


Let walk:

LB R. Wilson (RFA)
WR D. Thomas
WR A. Wilson
DB S. Terrell
DB K. Acker
DB P. Gaines
DL J. Jenkins
DL R. Miller
OL J. Devey
SP D. Colquitt

Other Transactions:

Trade Alex Smith, QB ($17 million cap space)
Chiefs trade QB Alex Smith to Jacksonville for a 1st round selection in the 2018 draft and a 4th round selection in the 2019 draft. Jacksonville is in win now mode and their problems start and end at QB. Smith is a steady, reliable QB that doesn't turn the ball over (contrary to what they get from Bortles) and Tom Coughlin should favor bringing that into the fold if possible. Smith may or may not be worth a first, but if Sam Bradford can bring one in...
Retire/Release Derrick Johnson, ILB ($8 million cap space)
Retire/Release Tamba Hali, OLB ($7 million cap space)

Total Cap Space Gained: $33 million

Other Selection Notes:
Chiefs traded 2018 1st round selection to Buffalo for the 10th selection in the 2017 draft.
Chiefs traded 2018 5th round selection to Cleveland for Cameron Erving (OL)
Chiefs receive 2018 conditional 7th* round selection from Seattle for Isaiah Battle (OL). *Presumed 7th since Seattled traded their 6th round selection to Oakland in the deal for Marshawn Lynch.
Chiefs receive 2018 conditional 7th round selection from Arizona for Marcus Cooper (CB)
Chiefs receive 2018 conditional 7th round selection from Tennesee for David King (DL)
Chiefs traded 2018 7th round selection to San Francisco for Kenneth Acker (CB)

Onto the draft:

1. (JAX/Smith) - Trenton Thompson, DT, Georgia (6'4" 295)
Thompson is a load on the interior that can collapse the pocket and put heat on the QB. He's actually built quite a bit like Chris Jones, powerful with speed to close.
2. D.J. Chark, WR, LSU (6'3" 200)
Speed kills and Chark has it in spades. Reid needs a team of guys that can be YAC machines and threaten all parts of the field on any down, and Chark can do that. Chark is also a decent punt returner.
3. Tyquan Lewis, DE, Ohio State (6'4" 260)
A consumate worker-bee, Lewis is tough at the point of attack. He hasn't been the double-digit sack guy that was expected, but he's been good for 8 per. He's had a bit of a down year, but so has most of Ohio State's front. Lewis is tough against the run and pass.
4. Matt Linehan, QB, Idaho (6'3" 239)
Linehan is a pro-style QB with good overall mechanics. He comes from a New England style offensive system, so Belichick may be interested, but so too will be his father Scott Linehan (Cowboys OC).
6. Ralph Webb, RB, Vanderbilt (5'9" 202)
A quick runner with excellent vision and burst to the hole, plus outstanding hands. One of the best runners in SEC history that gets zero love because he plays at Vandy. A prototype Reid back to put pressure on West.
6. (COMP/Foles) Brandon Parker, OT, North Carolina A&T (6'7" 300)
An FCS left tackle with good feet and gets into his blocks in the run game pretty well for his length. Certainly will be a bit of a NFL project going from the FCS to the pros, but he has legitimate tools to work with.
7. (SEA/Battle) Anthony Sherrils, SS, Missouri (6'0" 200)
An extremely fast defender that flashes greatness at times and definitely has an elite closing burst to the ball carrier. Needs to work on his understanding of the game and his assignments as he sometimes looks lost out there one play only to make a good one the next.
7. (ARZ/Cooper) Austin Golson, OC, Auburn (6'4" 314)
A jack-of-all trades, Golson has started at every position on the O-line, but he is best at guard and center.
7. (TEN/King) Spencer Smith, P, Memphis (6'1" 195)
Not much to say, he's one of the best in the nation and can be a backup kicker to boot.

Roster:
QB: P. Mahomes, T. Bray, M. Linehan
RB: K. Hunt, S. Ware, C. West, R. Webb
FB: A. Sherman
TE: T. Kelce, D. Harris, R. Travis
WR: T. Hill, D. Chark, C. Conley, J. Chesson, D. Robinson, M. Kemp?
OL: E. Fisher, P. Ehinger, M. Morse, L. Duvernay-Tardif, M. Schwartz, B. Witzman, C. Erving, Z. Fulton, A. Golson, Parker
DL: C. Jones, A. Bailey, T. Thompson, T. Kpassagnon, Q. Dial, R. Nunez-Roches
OLB: J. Houston, D. Ford, T. Lewis, D. Nicolas, F. Zombo
ILB:, R. Ragland, C. Jones, U. Eligwe, K. Pierre-Louis, T. Smith
CB: M. Peters, M. Butler, S. Nelson, J. Coleman, T. Mitchell
DB: E. Berry, R. Parker, D. Sorensen, E. Murray, A. Sherrils
ST: H. Butker, J. Winchester, S. Smith
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