3 veterans the Chiefs should replace in the NFL Draft
The Kansas City Chiefs’ roster is loaded with playmakers, but several veterans could be replaced by upgrades via the 2021 NFL Draft
The Kansas City Chiefs boast one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL, the most gifted quarterback walking the planet, and a menacing defense with playmakers at all three levels, but, if Super Bowl LV proved anything it is that quality depth along the offensive line is a necessity to consistently competing for championships.
That’s an area the Chiefs must dedicate significant resources to this offseason, both through the NFL Draft and free agency.
There’s a legitimate possibility that after missing four starting linemen against the Buccaneers that the Chiefs could be replacing at least three starters this offseason, including both tackles.
But, despite the fact that quarterback Patrick Mahomes was sacked three times and withstood 10 quarterback hits, the offensive line isn’t the Chiefs’ only concern.
In recent years, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach has aggressively cycled through veterans at the offensive skill positions and replaced them with draft choices who wind up being upgrades, and that is a trend that could continue this offseason.
Here’s a look at three veterans the Chiefs should replace via the NFL Draft:
3) OT Eric Fisher
Eric Fisher remains a steady offensive tackle, but retaining him might prove cost prohibitive cor the cap-strapped Chiefs.
As things currently stand, the Chiefs are $23.1 million over the current projected salary cap floor of $180 million. While there is a chance the salary cap will rise between now and the new league year beginning on March 17, the Chiefs can free up $12 million in cap space while absorbing a dead-money charge of just $3.18 million by releasing Fisher ahead of his final season.
Last season, Fisher produced an 80 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, while allowing just three sacks and 34 total pressures in 1,048 snaps. But, unless the Chiefs are able to restructure his contract and extend their commitment to the 30-year-old, the prudent move would be to move on and try to get younger at the position.