Tyreek Hill, Patrick Mahomes
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Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and wide receiver Tyreek Hill at Arrowhead Stadium on December 01, 2019.
General manager Brett Veach’s policy has always been to fill the Kansas City Chiefs‘ roster needs during free agency.
That enables him and the rest of the team’s brass to select the best player available when they hit the clock during the NFL draft. That strategy has gotten increasingly difficult over the years due to the several huge contracts they’ve had to give to their top players, but the Chiefs are in a position this offseason to create plenty of salary cap space.
They have already taken steps to do so, such as restructuring quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ contract and releasing veteran defensive end Mike Danna. More moves are expect to be made, and the Chiefs should be well-positioned to add some quality players when free agency begins in March.
ESPN’s Free Agent Positional Rankings Line up Well With Kansas City Chiefs’ Roster Needs
NFL analyst Ben Solak ranked the good and the bad for each position in free agency. His top position was edge rusher, which is arguably the Chiefs’ biggest need. While it may lack top-end players, Solak identified plenty of guys who can make an impact.
“If your favorite team’s general manager can’t find a good fit at edge rusher this offseason, tell him to take a hike. Putting aside the Crosby (Raiders EDGE Maxx Crosy) trade rumors for now, here’s a list of expected free agent edge rushers: Trey Hendrickson (Bengals), Odafe Oweh (Chargers), Jaelan Phillips (Eagles), Khalil Mack (Chargers), K’Lavon Chaisson (Patriots), Boye Mafe (Seahawks), Joey Bosa (Bills) and Jadeveon Clowney (Cowboys).”
There are a lot of quality players listed there, and that’s just the top of the surface. Kansas City had interest in Mafe at the trade deadline last season, so he’s a name to keep an eye on. Guys like Hendrickson and Oweh will likely be a bit too pricey for the Chiefs, but Phillips, Mack, or Clowney could be potential fits.
Solak’s No. 4 position was running back, which he described as a good year to need an immediate starter.
“The running back class is all free agency this year … and what a class it is. The headliners are Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III and Breece Hall, seemingly the lone Jet not to get dealt at the deadline. Travis Etienne Jr. (Jaguars) and Javonte Williams (Cowboys) represent the second tier of options. Tyler Allgeier (Falcons), Rico Dowdle (Panthers) and Kenneth Gainwell (Steelers) all fill out the very respectable third tier. After all, Allgeier and Dowdle have been 1,000-yard rushers, and Gainwell would have been a 1,000-yard receiver this season if Aaron Rodgers had his druthers!”
The Chiefs have been heavily rumored to be interested in adding a proven veteran running back this offseason. They have been often linked to Etienne, who is definitely an ideal fit for coach Andy Reid’s offense. Guys like Allgeier, Dowdle, and Gainwell would also be good additions, but would need to be paired with a strong complement.
Another big position of need – wide receiver- was ranked a bit low by Solak, coming in at No. 8. However, Kansas City has a couple of unique connections working in its favor.
“As it is, the top of the free agent class features Alec Pierce (Indianapolis), Romeo Doubs (Green Bay) and Jauan Jennings (San Francisco). Pierce is the buzzy name after a breakout 2025 season in which he led all receivers in yards per target (11.9) and was second to Tyquan Thornton in yards per reception (21.3). Pierce’s average target was 18.8 yards downfield — again, second only to Thornton — as Indianapolis used his excellent combination of height, speed and ball tracking on schemed shot plays and one-on-one alerts alike.
“One wild card to watch is a household name: Tyreek Hill. For as much as I’d like to believe Hill can recover his 2023 and 2024 form, he’ll never again play in a fresh Mike McDaniel offense taking the league by storm. He’s coming off a dislocated knee with multiple ligament tears. I cannot reasonably weigh him in this free agent class, but with a heroic recovery, he’ll be an impactful signing in 2026.”
Hill and Thornton have proven track records of success in the Chiefs’ offense. While Thornton will have a market, he’s not going to command top money. Hill should come very affordable coming off a severe left knee injury, but the timetable of his recovery is murky. A couple of weeks ago, Solak marked Jennings as a top fit for the Chiefs.