Chiefs Free Agency: Five Safeties They Should Target
Another day, another look into what the Chiefs should have their eye on this offseason. With all the rumors swirling of Tyrann Mathieu not returning, the safety position would need to be filled. The Chiefs have the 30th pick in the first round of this year’s draft, so there are possibilities.
Potential draftees like Daxton Hill out of Michigan (no. one ranked safety) and Jalen Pitre out of Baylor (no. 2 ranked safety) are projected to be within reach in the draft for KC, should they go that route. This is a loaded free-agent class at the safety position as far as free agency, with plenty of options to go around and plenty that would fit in KC. That being said, let’s break down five free-agent safeties the Chiefs should target.
Tyrann Mathieu, Kansas City Chiefs
Okay, Kansas City, if you genuinely don’t consider Tyrann Mathieu as the number one free agent available at safety, then you don’t deserve him back. I have preached on Mathieu being a vital piece to the Chiefs’ defense, and I stand by that. Since joining KC, Mathieu has played in 55 of the possible 56 games, including playoffs. He is reliable even if he is not always making the tackle. Any player whose mere presence on the field makes an impact is worth keeping in town.
According to PFF, Mathieu is top-15 in three separate categories in 2021 (interceptions, targets, and targets allowed). As I said, the Honey Badger affects any play, which is valuable. Mathieu has won the Derrick Thomas team MVP award for KC twice now. He has proven to become a vital piece to the Chiefs franchise as a whole, not just on defense. If that is not enough, then maybe he shouldn’t come back, but I am convinced the Chiefs want Mathieu back in those red and white uniforms on Sundays.
Jessie Bates III, Cincinatti Bengals
Bates showed in 2021 that he had Mahomes number and had him figured out. I don’t know about you, but why would you not pick him up for cheap? Please bring in a guy that has your offense figured out to prevent him from torturing you in the AFC. According to PFF, Bates is only projected to get franchise tagged by the Bengals (one-year, $12,911,000). Bates is certainly due a big extension from the Bengals, but if they don’t give it to him, why not KC?
Ideally, if KC does not return guys like Frank Clark or Anthony Hitchens, the near $30 million in cap room jumps to nearly $60 million. The money could be there if the Chiefs want to make a splash in free agency and not worry about paying Tyrann Mathieu. Give Bates a two or three-year deal for maybe 12.5 million a year, and he can comfortably play in Kansas City. Bates is a younger version of what Mathieu is, and youthfulness is vital nowadays in the NFL.
Jordan Whitehead, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Whitehead is one of the toughest players in the NFL. He played in the Bucs Super Bowl win with a torn labrum and played well. Whitehead is a bulldog-type player who brings a skillset and builds that many teams look for at the safety position. Whitehead will not require a huge contract to play, somewhere in the three-year for $17-18 million range. At that price, a young safety that has shown he is productive at his position would be hard to pass up.
Whitehead is comparable to Von Bell in Cincinnati, and so will his next contract. Whitehead is in the top 30 of safeties from 2021 and is worth a look. Kansas City is going to have money to move around, and Whitehead would be a cheaper option overall. Like I said for Jessie Bates, youthfulness is vital, and Whitehead fits that category as well.
Jayron Kearse, Dallas Cowboys
Kearse emerged as a surprisingly productive player for Dallas this past season. Kearse signed a veteran’s minimum deal with Dallas alongside many others. There was plenty of competition for Kearse on the Dallas roster, but he was the most productive in the end. Kearse accumulated a career-high 76.8 grade, a minimum of 1,000 snaps, after never having played more than 503 in a single season. Kearse was easily one of the high points for the Dallas defense.
As far as what he offers for KC, he provides veteran experience and skill set to prevent big plays in the secondary. Kearse can also be used in many defensive schemes that can get him involved in rushing the quarterback. He finished with career highs in tackles, sacks, and interceptions, making him valuable for a Chiefs defense that could be in need of a big-play maker. Kearse would bring a similar price tag to Whitehead at three-year, $18 million, a cheap price for a productive veteran player with plenty left in the tank.
Justin Reid, Houston Texans
Justin Reid is one of the more underrated free agents this offseason. Before 2021, Reid was one of the most productive safeties in the NFL in his first two seasons. His 80.4 overall grade across 2018 and 2019 ranked 17th among safeties, with at least 300 snaps over the two seasons. He also had an 87.0 coverage grade ranking 13th, and his 14.1% forced incompletion rate ranked 19th among safeties, with at least 25 targets in that span. Reid was, unfortunately, playing for Houston in 2021, so his production level dipping is likely from the toxic environment with that franchise right now.
Reid is another example of a young, talented player who can excel in the right environment. He is only 25, so there is plenty of time to groom him into a defense. Reid is so young and coming off an unproductive year in Houston, so his price tag is not very high. Most of these free-agent safeties carry the same price tag. Reid could easily be landed for a three-year $20 million deal and be given a fresh start to get back to his productive numbers from 2018 and 2019. Reid needs the chance, and maybe KC should consider looking into him as a possible free agent to sign.
Which free-agent safeties do you think the Chiefs should target in the market this offseason? Leave a comment below and join the discussion!
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