We’re only weeks away from the start of training camp and only days from the June 1st designations. We take a look at some Chiefs veterans who could be looking for new teams in the weeks to come.
Andrew Wylie
It’s well documented that the Chiefs have spent a lot of resources revamping the offensive line this offseason. Andrew Wylie has provided a lot of versatility over the last three seasons for the Chiefs starting at both right guard and right tackle.
With LDT and Lucas Niang coming back from opt-out and additionally the signings of Kyle Long and Mike Remmers the right side of the line seems to have taken shape. Throw in the fact the Chiefs can around $2.1 million on a post-June 1 cut, it makes sense on the financial side as well.
I think the Chiefs like what they have in swing players Nick Allegretti and Kyle Long that Wylie may be the odd man out in this situation.
Armani Watts
Armani Watts is very much an enigma in Kansas City. A very strong special teams player that seems to never be able to break the safety rotation. He will battle Will Parks for the fourth safety position. I feel that Parks adds more versatility with his ability to play from the slot and that will ultimately be the demise of Watts’ time in Kansas City. The move can save the Chiefs $930,000.
Ben Niemann
If you follow me on Twitter, there is a good chance you’ve seen one of my Ben Niemann rants. I always find time to rail on our linebacker’s inability to tackle ball carriers or be out of position but no one has bore the brunt of my frustration quite like Ben Niemann.
It’s nothing personal, I’m sure Ben is a great guy who does great things for his community and is just a stand-up individual. But on an NFL field, he does not belong. He somewhere along the way received the reputation of being a coverage linebacker, yet seems to be a step or two behind the guy he’s covering.
In the run game, he seems to always be carried three or four yards after contact. I will concede the fact that he is a good special teams guy and that may always find him an NFL job. I can’t see the Chiefs carrying more than five linebackers so I think this comes down between Niemann and Dorian O’Daniel. A training camp cut would save the Chiefs $763,000.
Other names to watch are Darwin Thompson, DeMarcus Robinson, and Anthony Hitchens. Thompson and Robinson will have some competition at young and deep position groups. The six million that the Chiefs could save by releasing Hitchens could play well into the long-term signings of Tyrann Mathieu or Orlando Brown. I think it will only happen if they feel comfortable with Willie Gay Jr. and Nick Bolton and their development.
