Nate Taylor (from The Athletic) seems to think Veach might be interested in one of these 2 in Free Agency.
So, after factoring in price tag, age and talent, who would you rather have?
Corey Davis, WR, Titans (age 26)
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Originally Posted by :
The Chiefs definitely want to be in the mix when it comes to the plethora of talented receivers on the market. As such, Davis could be a primary target for the Chiefs. He had the best season of his four-year career last year, recording 65 catches for 984 yards and five touchdowns in 14 games for the Titans. Listed at 6-foot-3 and 209 pounds, Davis has improved his route running and was a reliable receiver last season. He has the ability to break tackles in the open field and averaged 2.73 yards per route run in the regular season, the eighth most among 276 qualifying players.
The Chiefs will need a No. 2 receiver if veteran Sammy Watkins signs with another team in free agency. But Davis is capable of being an upgrade from what the Chiefs received from Watkins last year (in part because of Watkins’ injuries). Sheil Kapadia, one of The Athletic’s national analysts, has Davis as the No. 5 free-agent receiver in his annual listing of the best available players. Such a ranking puts Davis in range for the Chiefs to sign him to a multiyear contract, with much of the money in the deal to be paid following next season.
Curtis Samuel, WR, Panthers (age 24)
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Originally Posted by :
Veach could make one of the better under-the-radar moves this offseason were he to convince Samuel to sign with the Chiefs. If Davis signs a large contract early in free agency, Samuel would be a suitable backup option, an ascending player who is becoming more consistent than perhaps some fans realize. Samuel has good speed, and he caught 79.4 percent of his targets last season while racking up a career-high 77 receptions for 851 yards and five total touchdowns. The Chiefs could offer Samuel a multiyear deal with his salary increasing after next season, and his production could stay the same, or even slightly increase, playing alongside Mahomes, Kelce and Hill.
Nate also mentions these other players:
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DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles (age 34)
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This just makes too much sense, right? Here’s what we know: Andy Reid has always appreciated Jackson, who played for Reid for five seasons. We also know this: Veach has always loved Jackson, so much so that he helped convince Reid to select Jackson with the 49th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Even at 34, Jackson still has the speed to get behind opposing defenses. He recorded an 81-yard reception last season for the Eagles. As a possible role player in Reid’s offense, Jackson could have several chances to produce highlights in one-on-one opportunities with opposing defenses forced to give more resources to covering Kelce, Hill and speedy receiver Mecole Hardman. Jackson, a three-time Pro Bowler, has yet to win a championship in his 13-year career, but he could have a strong chance to play in the Super Bowl by joining the Chiefs on a one-year deal.
Trent Williams, OT, 49ers (age 32)
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Even at his age, Williams is too talented of a left tackle to not pursue. The Chiefs are in an advantageous position, too, as Williams is most interested in playing for a contender at the end of his impressive 10-year career. As a Pro Bowler last season, he finished fourth among tackles in ESPN’s pass-block win rate.
Another reason Williams can fill a need for the Chiefs is because of the season-ending injuries that tackles Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz sustained. Fisher, 30, sustained a torn left Achilles tendon late in the AFC Championship Game, and his rehab could continue into next season. If Fisher is released, the Chiefs save $11.9 million in cap space with a $3.1 million cap hit. Schwartz, 31, missed most of last season with a nagging back injury. The Chiefs would save $6 million while taking a $3.7 million cap hit if Schwartz is released.
Alejandro Villanueva, OT, Steelers (age 32)
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Villanueva is another intriguing tackle for the Chiefs to consider. At this point in his seven-year career, Villanueva is likely to perform better as a right tackle. The Chiefs should desire Villanueva’s durability, as he has never missed a game. The Chiefs are eager for the return of rookie tackle Lucas Niang, who opted out of last season amid the pandemic. Villanueva, though, would be a worthy gap-year player if Niang needs to use much of his rookie season to develop.
Jon Feliciano, G, Bills (age 29)
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Based on the past few seasons, the Chiefs could continue to add depth to the guard position by signing Feliciano. Veach and Reid have been comfortable in previous years having the Chiefs enter training camp with several players competing for the starting guard positions. It’s possible that the Chiefs could have Feliciano, Nick Allegretti, Andrew Wylie, Kelechi Osemele and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif all on the roster in August. Feliciano started nine games last season and has the talent to be reliable, whether it’s as a starter or not. If the Chiefs were to sign Feliciano, they could focus much of their attention in the upcoming draft to identifying talented centers and tackles.
Zach Banner, OT, Steelers (age 27)
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Not a particularly flashy name or player, Banner does have value as a versatile lineman who can play tackle or guard. In his three-year career, Banner has started just two games. He earned the starting right tackle spot last year for the Steelers, but he tore his ACL in the season opener. With a successful rehab, Banner has the potential to be at least a swing tackle for the Chiefs, perhaps replacing Mike Remmers.
Jonnu Smith, TE, Titans (age 25)
Spoiler!
The quest to find a steady second tight end to pair with Kelce continues for the Chiefs. Smith has plenty of talent and would be a nice upgrade from Nick Keizer and Deon Yelder, who combined for just 13 receptions and 99 yards last season. At 6-foot-3 and 248 pounds, Smith has the athleticism to be a productive blocker and receiver for the Chiefs. In his fourth season, Smith recorded a career-high 448 receiving yards and scored nine total touchdowns. Adding Smith would help the pass-happy Chiefs continue to pass the ball at a high frequency.
Mike Davis, RB, Panthers (age 28)
Spoiler!
NFL teams realistically need three quality running backs to get through a successful season. The Chiefs might already have their three backs in Edwards-Helaire, Darrel Williams and the return of Damien Williams, who opted out of last season. But adding one more running back, especially one who can be a capable receiver, is still a possibility for the Chiefs. When called on to replace the injured Christian McCaffrey, Davis had a nice season last year, recording 1,015 all-purpose yards and scoring eight total touchdowns. If Davis cannot find a starting job on the free-agent market, he could make the most of his touches with the Chiefs.
James White, RB, Patriots (age 29)
Spoiler!
Entering his eighth season, all of them with the Patriots, White can be a solid contributor in a backup role. He recorded 496 all-purpose yards last season. If the Chiefs attempt to sign White, they could believe that he is capable of having better production than Le’Veon Bell had last year if the team has several injuries at the position. As a three-time champion, White’s experience with the Patriots could also be valuable within the Chiefs’ locker room.
If you can sign Williams to a 3 year deal with a low first year cap hit, it’s a move you need to make. Even if you don’t plan on cutting/trading Fisher. Williams has said he’s ok playing either side of the OL, so you could move him or Fisher to the right when Fisheris healthy.
Originally Posted by BossChief:
That’s most likely true (I’ve said as much) but there are a few things playing against him.
He needs a new deal as 2021 is the last year under contract
He just turned 30
He’s not a great OT, above average.
He’s going to be rehabbing a torn Achilles in his last year under contract.
It’s not really cut and dry they will commit to him, but I agree it’s likely they extend him to lower the cap hit...I’ve advocated for that numerous times.
I just see moving on from Fisher to Silverback as a realistic option for a team wanting to get back to the Super Bowl.
If Mahomes is almost undefeated with Fisher at LT, he would be unstoppable with Silverback as his LT.
They just started Mike Remmers and Devon Wylie in the Super Bowl.
I don't know that I'd say Williams is probable or even very possible ... and it's not even about cap space. It's about their long-term plans for Eric Fisher and whether they're comfortable committing at least 3 years at big money to a LT and IF KC is where he wants to be.
From a cap space perspective, I played around with it and KC can get him 3 years at the projected market value of $18M/year fairly easily:
5 years, $90M, $20M signing bonus
Year 1: $6M base and bonuses ($11M cap)
Year 2: $11M base and bonuses ($17M cap)
Year 3: $17M base and bonuses ($22M cap)
Year 4: planned June 1 cut ($5M cap)
Year 5: ($5M cap)
You'd have $36M stacked on the last two years in this scenario in base and roster bonuses, but in all likelihood he'd be cut.
It's do-able. It's the only move in FA that, to me, is worth committing a huge centerpiece contract to.
And what to do with Fisher? If he's extended to spread out the cap hit from this year (what I think is most likely) are you then committing to him back at RT or trying him at G (he's too tall for that, IMO?)
So much uncertainty with Fisher and Schwartz. Hopefully the team has more insight.
And the people who want to sign Williams and still take a T in round 1 are crazy. That becomes a lock for DE or WR to me, if they were to add Williams. [Reply]
Eric Fisher isn't a RT, IMO. And there's no way he's a guard.
Yes, they have to have a contingency plan due to the Achilles but I just don't see this team outright replacing him. That's not Andy Reid. Fisher was his very first pick when he got here.
There's zero chance they do that to one of their best players (yes, he is) and fuck with the team chemistry and everything that comes with it. [Reply]
Originally Posted by duncan_idaho:
I don't know that I'd say Williams is probable or even very possible ... and it's not even about cap space. It's about their long-term plans for Eric Fisher and whether they're comfortable committing at least 3 years at big money to a LT and IF KC is where he wants to be.
From a cap space perspective, I played around with it and KC can get him 3 years at the projected market value of $18M/year fairly easily:
5 years, $90M, $20M signing bonus
Year 1: $6M base and bonuses ($11M cap)
Year 2: $11M base and bonuses ($17M cap)
Year 3: $17M base and bonuses ($22M cap)
Year 4: planned June 1 cut ($5M cap)
Year 5: ($5M cap)
You'd have $36M stacked on the last two years in this scenario in base and roster bonuses, but in all likelihood he'd be cut.
It's do-able. It's the only move in FA that, to me, is worth committing a huge centerpiece contract to.
And what to do with Fisher? If he's extended to spread out the cap hit from this year (what I think is most likely) are you then committing to him back at RT or trying him at G (he's too tall for that, IMO?)
So much uncertainty with Fisher and Schwartz. Hopefully the team has more insight.
And the people who want to sign Williams and still take a T in round 1 are crazy. That becomes a lock for DE or WR to me, if they were to add Williams.
Yeah, consider that fisher will be coming off a major injury and is entering that 30+ age territory. He will hopefully re-sign at a decent price for us. [Reply]
Originally Posted by chiefzilla1501:
Yeah, consider that fisher will be coming off a major injury and is entering that 30+ age territory. He will hopefully re-sign at a decent price for us.
I would think the team and Fisher can work out a deal that benefits both parties.
But they're not going to use that money to replace him. If they want to replace him, both sides would be better off to stand firm and let 2021 play out. [Reply]
Originally Posted by htismaqe:
I would think the team and Fisher can work out a deal that benefits both parties.
But they're not going to use that money to replace him. If they want to replace him, both sides would be better off to stand firm and let 2021 play out.
What? In the incredibly unlikely scenario they've already decided to replace him, how does it make any sense to keep him on the roster? [Reply]
Originally Posted by Superturtle:
What? In the incredibly unlikely scenario they've already decided to replace him, how does it make any sense to keep him on the roster?
Because he's done with his contract after 2021. Re-doing his deals will just add years, keeping an unhappy player here for longer than it's worth.
They could certainly release him now but they'll have to pay for his medical care and take the cap hit.
Not that any of that matters, they're not replacing Eric Fisher, no matter how badly the fans want it.
Originally Posted by htismaqe:
Probably going to be a lot of disappointed people this offseason.
I expect the Chiefs to make moves that nobody expects.
I get the feeling they are going to re-sign guys in house and not make a ton of new FA moves with players not already here. Maybe I'm wrong, but I have that feeling. [Reply]
Originally Posted by htismaqe:
They just started Mike Remmers and Devon Wylie in the Super Bowl.
Trent Williams is not coming here.
Not sure what that has to do with Trent Williams. Both of those guys were replacement level players that derailed our chances of winning the game.
They also tried signing Adrus Peat and drafted OL in the third.
I do think it’s more likely they address OL in the draft, but Veach has an eye on adding the best possible options for premium positions and if Silverback becomes available, I’m sure we will have interest. [Reply]
Originally Posted by staylor26:
The problem with that is I’m pretty sure Niang will be the starter at RT.
They were prepared to try him at RG or LG when they had Fisher and Schwartz healthy. Makes me think they’d do the same with a healthy Fisher/Williams or Schwartz/Williams combo. [Reply]