5 targets for Chiefs in 2022 NFL free agency

The Kansas City Chiefs fell short of reaching a third straight Super Bowl in 2021. Who could the team be looking at when free agency begins in mid-March?

From a 3-4 start to eight straight wins. From a sixth consecutive AFC West title to scoring 42 points on consecutive Sundays in playoff wins over the Steelers and Bills.

The Kansas City Chiefs would host the AFC Championship Game for the fourth straight year. Andy Reid’s team owned a 21-3 lead at intermission. But for the second time in 2021, the club failed to put away the Cincinnati Bengals. And the club was denied a third consecutive trip to the Super Bowl.

Now it’s retooling time and this team has some needs despite reaching the playoffs seven straight years. So which five veterans should Reid and general manager Brett Veach be keeping their eyes on? There’s a defensive-heavy emphasis here and with good reason.

Chiefs: 5 free agent targets for 2022

5. DE Derek Barnett (Philadelphia Eagles)

The AFC West champions allowed a disappointing 42 offensive touchdowns in 17 regular-season outings. And who knows where this group would have finished if it weren’t for the play of veteran defensive lineman Chris Jones. Far more effective on the inside than the outside, he led the team with 9.5 sacks.

The Chiefs have their share of veteran defensive linemen that could test free agency this year. On the outside, there’s Melvin Ingram and Alex Oakafor and on the interior, Jarran Reed and Derrick Nnadi. And what does the future hold for Frank Clark, who has quite the cap number for 2022?

In 2017, the Philadelphia Eagles made University of Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett a first-round pick. In five seasons with the Birds, he’s totaled 23.0 sacks in 69 contests (including playoffs). He also recovered that Tom Brady fumble in Super Bowl LII that was one of the biggest plays in the team’s 41-33 victory. The 25-year-old pro could be a sound addition.