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The Kansas City Chiefs only signed two outside free agents during the first wave of 2024 NFL free agency, and both were offensive players.
The performance of Steve Spagnuolo's defense was a major factor in the team's ability to reach and win Super Bowl LVIII a season ago. While they're mostly running it back with the same pieces, the team could still improve their depth in several areas on defense as they look toward the 2024 NFL season. With $7.6 million in cap space, they have the money for a few smaller deals, which could occur either before or after the draft.
Here is a look at four players who could certainly help on the defensive side of the ball:
DT Lawrence Guy
I don't particularly think the Chiefs need another run-stopping veteran defensive lineman, but if they found themselves looking for one, this is who they should go after on a one-year deal. Guy is 34 years old and has a ton of NFL experience with over 177 games played and 122 career starts, and he could be chasing a second ring in the twilight of his career. The veteran defensive tackle was released by the Pats ahead of free agency, so he won't count against the compensatory pick formula. He has also played for both DL coach Joe Cullen and LB coach Brendan Daly in the past, so there is certainly some level of familiarity on the coaching staff.
This is absurd. A very, very, very tough 1st quarter for Joel Bitonio. This, I guess, was a pitch intended for Jarvis Landry. Instead, hello Lawrence Guy, one-man wrecking crew. #Patriots pic.twitter.com/UB5xjYT8Ds
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) October 27, 2019
DE Rasheem Green
If the Chiefs want to add a young, but experienced edge rusher to their defensive end rotation, Green seems to be one of the top players available. At 6-foot-4 and 280 pounds, he very much meets the size and length requirements that Steve Spagnuolo looks for. He had a career year with the Seahawks back in 2021, but he hasn't quite been able to get to that level of production again with 5.5 sacks and 57 total tackles in 35 games played over the past two seasons with Houston and Chicago. If you can't get Mike Danna back in the fold, you can do a lot worse than Green.
LB Isaiah Simmons
Bringing home the Olathe North standout would be a popular move in Kansas City, and not just because of his ties to the area. Simmons is an impressive athlete who hasn't exactly been used effectively at the NFL level. He has five sacks, seven tackles for loss, 10 passes defended, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two defensive touchdowns over the past two NFL seasons. Rest assured that Steve Spagnuolo could find a way to use the 25-year-old hybrid defender to the best of his ability. He could be the missing piece for their big nickel and dime sub-packages.
Isaiah Simmons seals the deal!
— New York Giants (@Giants) November 19, 2023
: FOX pic.twitter.com/u69nooxYjK
CB Adoree' Jackson
The Chiefs don't exactly need another cornerback unless they were to move on from L'Jarius Sneed ahead of, during, or after the 2024 NFL draft. Jackson is still just 28 years old and has started in 36 games over the past three seasons with the Giants, recording two interceptions and 23 passes defended in that span. This move would be as much about special teams as it would be about defense as Jackson is a dynamic return specialist. He hasn't done it much in recent seasons, but that'd surely be part of his role in Kansas City.
More must-reads:
- AFC North check-in: Most, least improved position groups post-draft
- Longtime coach compares Patriots' Drake Maye to two legends
- The 'AP First-Team All-Pro tight ends' quiz
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