Free agents the Chiefs can sign who don’t count against compensatory pick formula
The Kansas City Chiefs could find themselves playing a game within the game of free agency this year.
Orlando Brown Jr., Mecole Hardman and Juan Thornhill are all expected to have robust markets when free agency opens next week. It’s very possible that all three of the players sign lucrative contracts that qualify toward the compensatory pick formula in 2024. If that’s the case, Chiefs GM Brett Veach will likely look to avoid signing compensable free agents who cancel out any compensatory picks earned.
In order to avoid sitting on their hands too long, the Chiefs could prioritize adding from the pool of players who have been released as salary cap casualties. Right now, that list includes 20 players and it could grow even larger by Wednesday, March 15.
Below is an up-to-date list of the players who’ve been released:
QB Carson Wentz
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
QB Marcus Mariota
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
WR Robert Woods
George Walker IV / The Tennessean
WR Chosen Anderson
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
WR Kenny Golladay
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
RB Leonard Fournette
Patrick Smith/Getty Images
TE Cameron Brate
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
LT Taylor Lewan
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
LT Donovan Smith
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
C Justin Britt
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
DL Michael Brockers
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad
Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
EDGE Bud Dupree (release reported, not yet official)
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
EDGE Leonard Floyd
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
LB Zach Cunningham
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
LB Eric Kendricks
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
CB Shaq Griffin
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
CB Byron Jones
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
CB Bobby McCain
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
S John Johnson III
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
