Kansas City hosts the 2023 NFL Draft from April 27-29, fitting since the party continues after the Chiefs won their second Super Bowl in four years. The reigning champions have had a busy offseason trying to sustain their winning foundation. Here are their best and worst offseason moves.
Best | Signing LB Drue Tranquill
The Chiefs plucked the LB from their divisional rival, the Chargers, inking Tranquill to a one-year, $3M deal. The 27-year-old blossomed into one of the league’s best tacklers last season with 95 individual tackles in 17 games, a career-high and 11th in the NFL. Also, not lining up against him twice a year is a plus.
Pairing him with LB Nick Bolton, 23, creates a fearsome duo since Bolton ranked second in solo tackles (108) last season. As a result, the added depth bolsters the already solid unit that ranked 11th in yards allowed last season. An elite defense that could match the team’s elite offense makes the Chiefs a greater powerhouse.
Best | Signing LT Jawaan Taylor
The Chiefs lost two of their best offensive lineman (Andrew Wylie and Orlando Brown Jr.). However, they quickly addressed the need, signing Taylor to a four-year, $80M deal. It’s worthwhile because the 25-year-old has never missed a game through four seasons.
Along with dependability, Taylor is one of the best pass-blockers in the league, which is critical for Kansas City since it must protect Patrick Mahomes. According to Pro Football Focus, he posted the 14th-best passing blocking grade (76.4) among offensive tackles and only allowed pressure on 2.5 percent of dropbacks, third-best at his position.
Worst | Losing WR JuJu Smith-Schuster
Smith-Schuster rejuvenated his career in Kansas City, catching 78 passes for 933 yards and three TDs in 16 games. Nonetheless, the Chiefs failed to retain their No. 2 pass-catcher after the Patriots outbid them in free agency, signing him to a three-year, $25M deal. Although overspending is terrible in the NFL, the Chiefs should’ve offered him a better deal.
He played a crucial role in the offense after Kansas City traded Tyreek Hill to Miami, ensuring the passing game didn’t regress. Also, outside of star TE Travis Kelce, the other WRs don’t inspire confidence. No other Chiefs WR crossed the 50-reception barrier last season.
Worst | Letting Brown Jr. sign with the Bengals
On his recent podcast episode, Kelce said Brown Jr. joining the Bengals “hurt (his) soul.” From Week 10 to the end of the regular season, the four-time Pro Bowler had the third-highest pass-blocking grade (88.9) among LTs, per PFF, so it is a considerable loss. Also, Brown Jr. can play RT or LT, meaning the Chiefs could’ve moved him to the right side after Taylor signed.
Brown Jr. joining the Chiefs’ primary AFC rival makes it worse. Cincinnati and Kansas City have played each other in consecutive conference championships and could meet in the playoffs again. If they do face off, the Bengals finally have a player who can match up with Pro Bowl DT Chris Jones and negate the K.C. pass-rush.
