2024 Kansas City Chiefs free agents: Targets, draft needs and more as free agency nears
Coming off of their third Super Bowl win in five years, the Kansas City Chiefs will have some roster decisions to make as the new league year approaches.
The back-to-back champs have 19 players set to hit unrestricted free agency, including several of its top performers on the defensive sides of the ball. Among them are defensive lineman (and the team's 2023 co-leader in sacks) Chris Jones as well as starting cornerback L'Jarius Sneed, who led the team in passes defended and interceptions.
Though the Chiefs are currently 16th in the NFL in cap space – according to Over the Cap – there will be some significant roster changes to come as free agents join and depart ahead of the NFL Draft.
Here's everything to know about Kansas City's free agency situation.
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2024 Kansas City free agents
Unrestricted free agents
In order of percentage of snaps played, per Over the Cap:
CB L'Jarius Sneed
EDGE Mike Danna
IDL Chris Jones
OT Donovan Smith
LB Willie Gay, Jr.
S Mike Edwards
LB Drue Tranquill
IDL Derrick Nnadi
IDL Tershawn Wharton
P Tommy Townsend
LS James Winchester
RB Jerick McKinnon
TE Blake Bell
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire
WR Mecole Hardman
WR Richie James
IOL Nick Allegretti
QB Blaine Gabbert
S Deon Bush
OT Prince Tega Wanogho
LB Darius Harris
Restricted/exclusive rights free agents
LB Jack Cochrane
EDGE Malik Herring
IOL Mike Caliendo
LB Cole Christiansen
S Nazeeh Johnson
TE Jody Fortson
Potential Chiefs NFL Draft targets
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY: Troy Franklin, WR, Oregon
Middlehurst-Schwartz writes, "[Franklin's] deep speed and run-after-catch ability would add vital explosiveness to a passing attack that has grown far too stale."
Trevor Sikkema, Pro Football Focus: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State
Sikkema writes, "Coleman’s... an incredibly gifted athlete, but his game lacks consistent separation. Still, his talent level is too high for a team like the Chiefs — who desperately need an alpha X receiver — to pass up."
Garrett Podell, CBS Sports: T'Vondre Sweat, DL, Texas
Podell writes, "Sweat is dominator against the run as his primary value is stuffing the middle of the line of scrimmage."
Chad Reuter, NFL.com: Keon Coleman, WR, Florida State (trade up to pick 25)
Reuter writes, "Selecting receiver Rashee Rice last year in the second round was a nice start, but the Chiefs’ inconsistency at the position could force them to trade up for another top-tier talent."
Damian Parson, The Draft Network: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas
Parson writes, "Rashee Rice has proven to be a WR1 in the making for the Chiefs, but he needs help. Xavier Worthy is a quick route-runner with immense explosiveness and speed."
When does NFL free agency begin?
March 11: The NFL's legal tampering period begins at noon ET. According to the NFL's official operations website, this is when teams are allowed to begin negotiating contracts with players that are set to become free agents.
March 13: NFL free agency officially begins at 4 p.m. ET. All contracts that end after the 2023 season expire, and teams and players are allowed to execute new contracts. This includes deals agreed to during the tampering period becoming official.
When is the 2024 NFL Draft?
Where: Campus Marius Park at Hart Plaza in Detroit, Michigan
When: April 25-27, 2024
Cable TV: ESPN, ABC, NFL Network
Streaming: NFL+; ESPN+; fuboTV
How to watch: Catch this year's NFL Draft with a Fubo subscription
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chiefs free agents 2024: Targets, draft needs for Kansas City free agency
