The Kansas City Chiefs have faced plenty of criticism following the L’Jarius Sneed trade, with many questioning both the value of their return and the decision to let him go. While Sneed’s departure delivers a sizable blow for this defense, it also opens the door to making moves in NFL free agency.
When Kansas City placed the franchise tag on Sneed, it provided him with a fully guaranteed salary of $19.802 million for the upcoming season. Trading him to the Tennessee Titans not only netted a 2025 third-round pick, it also provided the Chiefs’ front office with an additional $19.02 million in cap space to use.
- Kansas City Chiefs cap space 2024: $27.41 million
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With many teams now focused on the 2024 NFL Draft and others waiting for the asking prices of players to come down, there’s an opportunity here for Kansas City. With that in mind, here are 3 Chiefs free agent targets to pursue with their new cap space.
Xavien Howard, cornerback
There’s an obvious need in the Chiefs’ secondary with Sneed now in Tennessee. While Trent McDuffie is clearly ready to become the No. 1 cornerback in Kansas City, the reigning All-Pro defensive back needs some help around him. Chiefs’ defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo could use a playmaker opposite of McDuffie.
- Xavien Howard stats (2023): 81.3 QB rating allowed in coverage, 6.8 yards per target surrendered, 62.9% completion rate allowed
On the surface, the 62.9 percent completion rate Xavien Howard allowed last season with the Miami Dolphins seems concerning. However, he still held opposing quarterbacks under an 82.0 passer rating and on 62 targets, he only surrendered 1 touchdown. It’s also worth noting that his numbers improved as he became more familiar with Vic Fangio’s system, allowing just a 42.4 QB rating and 33.3 percent reception rate from Weeks 10 through the Wild Card game. Howard could be a nice complement opposite of McDuffie and his playmaking would be an added bonus for Kansas City’s defense.
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Calais Campbell, edge defender
Charles Omenihu will be spending his offseason rehabbing an ACL tear and considering it happened at the end of January, it’s very possible it will linger into the 2024 season. Edge rusher was already a need for Kansas City and with Omenihu’s injury, the need for consistency opposite George Karlaftis is even more important.
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Calais Campbell, heading into his age-38 season, has enjoyed a storied career. He’s a six-time Pro Bowl selection, a member of the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team and was the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2019. However, one thing missing from his resume is a Super Bowl ring and the Chiefs offer a path to it.
Last season with the Atlanta Falcons, Campbell played over 700 snaps including 413 on passing downs. Kansas City could certainly bring that number down this fall, but we want to focus on his effectiveness. Campbell posted an 11.9 percent PFF pass-rush win rate, higher than Omenihu (11.9 percent), Jerry Hughes (11.5 percent) and Cameron Jordan (11 percent). Just as importantly, Campbell recorded the ninth-highest PFF run defense grade (80.2) among edge defenders, placing 16th in run stop rate (9.2 percent). He would be a great addition to the Chiefs’ defense and be welcomed in a veteran locker room as it goes for a three-peat.
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David Bakhtiari, offensive tackle
There are undeniable medical concerns with David Bakhtiari. Once a perennial All-Pro at left tackle, a potential Hall of Fame career was derailed by a nagging injury that started with an ACL tear in December 2020 and ultimately allowed him to play in just 13 combine games over the last three seasons. However, the upside in signing him is undeniable for Kansas City.
When he last saw significant action – 11 games in 2022 – Bakhtiari was still excellent in pass protection. He ranked fourth among offensive tackles in Pass Blocking Efficiency (98.4), surrendering just 10 hurries with zero sacks allowed across 339 pass-blocking snaps. Wanya Morris could be Kansas City’s insurance plan at left tackle, with Bakhtiari being the high-upside bet who could solidify the offensive line for a Super Bowl run.
