The roster is looking nearly complete after the draft and a couple of recent signings. We take a look at the veteran free-agent market to see if the Chiefs can build some depth and create competition going into training camp.
Bashaud Breeland
This seems to be the most obvious choice. I have felt since the beginning of the offseason that another one-year deal seems to make sense for both sides. Breeland has played extremely well at times in Kansas City over the last three seasons. He also is the prognosticator of Chiefs fans pulling their hair out at others. He offers a veteran presence in a very young cornerback room. The Chiefs not drafting in the secondary during this year’s draft points to them adding a veteran before camp. Breeland’s familiarity with the system is a good fit for the 2021 campaign.
Justin Houston
No, I am not making a list of former Chiefs to bring back on the roster. The Chiefs are scary thin with pass rushers and darn near anemic with production and reliability on the edge. Houston is not the same player he was five seasons ago but he can add depth and leadership. His eight sacks last season would have led the Chiefs. Adding Houston opposite Frank Clark could take some pressure off the underperforming veteran. His experience can also be beneficial to the young core of Mike Danna, Tim Ward, and Joshua Kaindoh.
Larry Fitzgerald
Many in the Kingdom feel the Chiefs need to add a number two wide receiver to their arsenal. I feel the Chiefs may deploy a “wide receiver by committee” approach behind Tyreek Hill. I have always respected Larry Fitzgerald, playing his entire career up to this point in the desert of Arizona. On some good teams but many not-so-great teams with very mediocre to bad quarterback play. His production for nearly two decades has been nothing short of amazing.
Though that production has been on the decline for the past three seasons, his skill set could add another weapon to the Chiefs offensive arsenal. I feel that Fitzgerald may want a shot at a championship at this point in his career. Having another Hall of Fame pass-catcher would only bolster the Chiefs chances at repeating as AFC champions.
Chiefs fans should consider themselves lucky. Any of the options above or any really added at this point would be luxuries on a very solid roster. The Chiefs have depth nearly everywhere and that should promote competition going into training camp. Andy Reid and company should have some difficult decisions when it comes to roster moves going forward.
We could use both in Houston and Fitzgerald. But I think Breeland is a must ! Always enjoy Your column