Chiefs Not Pursuing Post-Draft Free Agent Additions

The period immediately following the draft often entails a number of veterans finding new homes. The Chiefs are positioned to make at least one notable addition with respect to a free agent still on the market, but that should not be expected at this time.

“We accomplished a lot between the free agency period and the draft,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said when speaking to reporters (via Jesse Newell of the Kansas City Star). “And now I think we’ll have a chance to really evaluate these young guys, and evaluate these new players we brought in on our 90-man signings right after the season and with the undrafted free agent guys we got. So we’ll have a chance to evaluate this team.”

Entering the draft, receiver and offensive tackle were widely seen as the team’s most pressing roster needs. Moving up the board on both occasions, the Chiefs landed wideout Xavier Worthy on Day 1 then tackle Kingsley Suamataia in the second round of the draft. Both players figure to have at least a depth role on offense as rookies, and that will especially be true if Kansas City decides against bringing in veteran competition.

Veach added that new deals for Donovan Smith (who was a full-time starter on the blindside when healthy in 2023) and Mecole Hardman (who served as a complementary wideout upon returning to Kansas City after being traded by the Jets) are not currently under consideration. Both players are among the more experienced options at their respective positions still on the market, and it will be interesting to see if interest from outside teams picks up in the comings days and weeks.

“If we need to go in a different direction before training camp, we will,” Veach added. “But I think now, we’re excited with where the roster is, and look forward to the final OTA periods… For right now, I think we’re going to let these young guys go out there and see what they can do and how much they can absorb.”

The two-time defending champions currently have just over $16MM in cap space, so even after their draft class is signed the team will have the flexibility to make additions. Kansas City’s roster sits at 81 (out of an offseason maximum of 90), and as such a healthy number of UDFAs will be incoming. Veteran pickups could remain on the table depending on how the summer takes shape, but any notable signings would come as a surprise based on Veach’s comments.