Breaking news: 4 Kansas City Chiefs offseason moves after re-signing Chris Jones, including trade and mock draft

The Kansas City Chiefs secured a crucial victory just before the NFL free agency period, ensuring the return of All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones and maintaining the core trio of star players. However, with ample opportunity for improvement this offseason, the Chiefs must strategize their next moves wisely.

Retaining Jones was paramount for Kansas City this spring. Not only is he a cherished presence in the locker room, but his knack for delivering game-changing performances in pivotal moments has been instrumental in the team’s Super Bowl triumphs. Now, the focus shifts to enhancing the roster around quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Outlined below are the three key steps the Chiefs must take in the coming offseason to further strengthen their position.

Trade L’Jarius Sneed to create cap space, add draft capital

The pivotal role played by cornerback L’Jarius Sneed in Kansas City’s Super Bowl victory cannot be overstated. Renowned for his stellar coverage skills throughout the past season, Sneed consistently rose to the occasion, particularly when matched against top-tier wide receivers. Although the Chiefs utilized the franchise tag to retain him, it was merely a measure to prevent him from entering NFL free agency. However, with Jones already under contract, accommodating Sneed and his $19.8 million cap hit presents a considerable challenge.

Nevertheless, Sneed’s stellar performance has made him the most sought-after cornerback in this offseason’s market, especially with Jaylon Johnson now off the table. Already attracting significant interest, Sneed’s agent has been given the green light by the Chiefs to explore opportunities for a long-term deal. While trading Sneed to another Super Bowl contender may not be the most favorable option for Kansas City, alternative solutions exist across the NFL landscape.

Kansas City Chiefs trade: L’Jarius Sneed
Atlanta Falcons trade: 43rd overall pick

Unless a team like the Detroit Lions or San Francisco 49ers is willing to offer a first-round pick, Kansas City will likely take the best Round 2 selection on the table. The Falcons want to win now and could pair Sneed with the signing of Kirk Cousins to become the best NFC South team in 2024.

Restructure Patrick Mahomes contract, find bargain adds in NFL free agency

Trading Sneed presents an immediate solution, slashing $19.802 million from the Chiefs’ books for the upcoming 2024 season. However, even with this adjustment, it’s still insufficient to accommodate Jones’ new deal and secure some bargains in NFL free agency. Thankfully, Kansas City has the option to restructure Mahomes’ contract, generating a substantial $35.632 million in additional cap space. Furthermore, releasing safety Justin Reid, whose performance dipped last season, would free up another $10.75 million in cap room.

With these maneuvers, the Chiefs now possess greater flexibility to bolster their roster with talent. To kick things off, they could target former Chicago Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney. While his 2023 season yielded 414 receiving yards, he demonstrated his potential with a 1,000-yard performance in 2021, remaining a formidable vertical threat in the league. Additionally, Kansas City could utilize their newfound cap space to sign veteran left tackle Tyron Smith, a potential future Hall of Famer, providing him with the opportunity to vie for a Super Bowl. Finally, in the running back department, acquiring Austin Ekeler or Antonio Gibson could serve as a cost-effective solution to bolster the team’s passing game.

Chiefs mock draft with a L’Jarius Sneed trade

While parting ways with Sneed hurts the Chiefs in the short-term, acquiring a top-50 pick also allows general manager Brett Veach to address a more glaring need. In this case, Kansas City can now add young, high-upside talent at both offensive tackle and wide receiver.

Kansas City Chiefs mock draft 2024 (3 rounds)
1st Round, 32nd Overall: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas Longhorns
2nd Round, 43rd overall: Jordan Morgan, OT, Arizona Wildcats
2nd Round, 64th overall: Calen Bullock, S, USC Trojans
3rd Round, 95th overall: Max Melton, CB, Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

Texas Longhorns wide receiver Adonai Mitchell can be the perfect complement to Rashee Rice. This past year, Mitchell drew nearly 26 percent of his targets 20-plus yards downfield, per Pro Football Focus, generating a 124.1 NFL quarterback rating when targeted with 3 touchdowns. Standing at 6-foot-4 with a 4.34 40 time, Mitchell provides a much-needed vertical threat who can do far more than Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

With the second-round pick acquired from Atlanta, Kansas City snags its left tackle. He had to shake some rust off this past season coming off a torn ACL, but he boasts the size (6-foot-6) and athleticism to become a quality left tackle in the NFL once he adds strength to his frame.