Fansided

NFL free agency 2019: Grades for every team

By Kevin Parvizi

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 25: Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants yells prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 25, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 25: Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants yells prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 25, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 23: Free safety Tyrann Mathieu #32 of the Houston Texans celebrates an interception by inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney #55 (not pictured) against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 23: Free safety Tyrann Mathieu #32 of the Houston Texans celebrates an interception by inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney #55 (not pictured) against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Kansas City Chiefs

Key Additions: EDGE Alex Okafor, CB Bashaud Breeland, S Tyrann Mathieu, RB Carlos Hyde

Key Departures: S Eric Berry, EDGE Justin Houston, EDGE Dee Ford, C Mitch Morse, CB Steven Nelson

Grade: D-

The Kansas City Chiefs have a once-in-a-lifetime player in Patrick Mahomes, who changed the way fans see the quarterback position in just his first year as a starter. And if he received the ball in overtime, perhaps the Chiefs would have been Super Bowl champions in Mahomes’ MVP year.

Instead, the Chiefs defense, once again, held the offense back, as they were sliced through by Tom Brady and the New England Patriots offense. While the Chiefs wisely parted ways with defensive coordinator Bob Sutton, they have somehow taken a step back defensively, ridding themselves of the edge rushing duo of Justin Houston and Dee Ford.

Replacing Houston made some sense due to his age and the cap hit of keeping both players, but trading Ford for pennies on the dollar just to transition to new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s 4-3 scheme was a mistake. Cutting Eric Berry made little sense, too, because the Chiefs could have rolled with a playmaking safety duo of Tyrann Mathieu and Berry, instead of potentially giving an overmatched player like Daniel Sorensen more snaps.

Kansas City did add a few notable players in addition to Mathieu. Bashaud Breeland used to be one of the league’s best corners before falling off the map, so there’s veteran bounce-back potential for Steven Nelson’s replacement. Alex Okafor is no replacement for both Houston and Ford, but he’s an above-average edge defender in his own right.

The Chiefs are in the Super Bowl conversation because of players like Mahomes and Travis Kelce, but they did not do themselves any favors by making downgrades to an already questionable defense, in addition to striking out on their top target in star cornerback Ronald Darby.

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