ClutchPoints
After leaving with seven new players from the 2025 NFL Draft, few teams optimized their selections better than the Kansas City Chiefs. Coming off another Super Bowl appearance, the Chiefs now return to free agency as they look to fill out their roster in preparation for organized team activities and minicamps over the next month.
In his ninth year as general manager, Brett Veach managed to address most of his team’s needs in the draft. However, like most around the league, the Chiefs still have several issues to address on their roster. Even with the bulk of free agency in the past, Kansas City has been known for making notable veteran additions late in previous offseasons.
Coming off their third consecutive Super Bowl appearance, the NFL is still at the mercy of the Chiefs dynasty, even if their three-peat bid fell short. Still, despite its dominant consistency, Kansas City’s roster is far from perfect. But for the first time in three years, Veach is forced to address his team’s concerns as it looks to return to the top of the mountain.
The 2025 free agency class lacked star power, but the list of veteran names still capable of contributing to a championship-caliber team remains robust. With a few months remaining until the start of training camp, expect the Chiefs to be among the more active teams in the second half of free agency.
Of the positions the Chiefs addressed in the 2025 NFL Draft, safety was not one of them. Veach appropriately added linemen on both sides of the ball but opted not to add any safeties despite having just four on his roster. Of them, only one — Bryan Cook — will begin the season as a locked-in starter.
The Chiefs run a lot of two-high safety looks in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense, leaving a vacancy to fill next to Cook. As it currently stands, the job will likely be filled by either Jaden Hicks or veteran Mike Edwards. Hicks, who snagged three interceptions as a rookie, figures to have the early lead, but played just 30.5 percent of the team’s defensive snaps in 2024.
Without taking any safeties in the draft, the Chiefs are forced to seek reinforcements in what is left of the veteran market. Fortunately, they will not be short of options. Former All-Pro Justin Simmons headlines the field, with Marcus Williams, Quandre Diggs, Jordan Whitehead and Chuck Clark also available. Simmons or Williams seems to be the best fit next to Cook’s ball-hawking skills.
The Chiefs could also explore their options in the trade market, where they have also had success in the past. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ Juan Thornhill and New Orleans Saints’ Tyrann Mathieu, who both previously thrived with Spagnuolo and the Chiefs, could be potential targets. Veach could also target misplaced veterans like Kamren Curl, Donovan Wilson or Coby Bryant.
One position of need the Chiefs did address...
