Chiefs’ Top Players to Avoid in 2023 NFL Free Agency

Chiefs’ Top Players to Avoid in 2023 NFL Free Agency

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For the second time in four years, the Kansas City Chiefs are Super Bowl champions.

They defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday night to win their third title in franchise history.

Soon, Kansas City’s focus will shift on how it can set itself up to repeat in the 2023 season. The Chiefs have a strong core that should allow them to be contenders, and they could even remain championship favorites, depending on how the offseason unfolds.

With $7.01 million in projected cap space, per Over The Cap, Kansas City will need to clear some room if it hopes to have a bit of financial flexibility when free agency begins.

And considering the Chiefs still may not be in a position to make a ton of moves, they’ll need to ensure the ones they choose are the right ones.

Here’s a look at several free agents Kansas City may want to avoid this offseason.

James Bradberry, CB

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There aren’t a ton of areas on the Chiefs’ roster that need much work, especially if they bring back the majority of their key free agents. But they could be an even better team if they add another talented cornerback to their secondary.

If Kansas City clears some cap space, it could acquire a CB who would take its defense to yet another level. But there aren’t likely to be too many cornerbacks (if any) available who are better than James Bradberry.

In his first season with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2022, the 29-year-old had an impressive showing, notching three interceptions and starting all 17 games. He is now set to hit the free-agent market again and could receive a sizable payday.

That’s why the Chiefs should probably steer clear of Bradberry. They wouldn’t be able to make many other moves if they pursued him heavily, so it’s likely best that they don’t try to spend big to land him this offseason.

Allen Lazard, WR

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Even after trading Tyreek Hill and not having a top-tier wide receiver at the top of its depth chart, Kansas City still had an incredible offense that led it to the Super Bowl title this year.

However, the Chiefs may want to further strengthen their receiving corps this offseason, particularly if they lose JuJu Smith-Schuster in free agency.

One thing that Kansas City shouldn’t do, though, is overpay for a wide receiver. There are some teams that may do that, considering not many standouts will be on the market. That could lead to a playmaker such as Allen Lazard receiving a larger contract than normal.

The 27-year-old is a solid player, but he doesn’t bring what the Chiefs’ offense could be lacking. They need somebody to put up a lot of yards (like Smith-Schuster did in 2022), and the Green Bay Packers WR doesn’t bring that level of consistency.

It makes sense for Kansas City to be seeking for ways to upgrade its receiving corps, but it likely wouldn’t be doing so by paying a bit too much to bring in Lazard.

Carlos Dunlap, DE

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The Chiefs didn’t need Carlos Dunlap to rack up a ton of sacks during the 2022 season. They just hoped he would be a solid rotational player for their pass rush, and that’s exactly what they got out of him.

The defensive end had 39 tackles and four sacks in 17 games in his first season for the team. While the 13-year NFL veteran didn’t put up the types of numbers he used to, he was still a valuable player for Kansas City to have on defense.

However, Dunlap turns 34 on February 28, and it may be wise for the Chiefs to use the money it could pay him to bring in a younger edge-rusher. Or it could do something else with that cap space and address the defensive front during the NFL draft again.

Either way, the Chiefs should part ways with Dunlap now, before his play regresses to a level where he wouldn’t be as solid of a contributor.