Roundup: Chiefs Sign Three; Dorsey, Hillis Take Visits

Andy Reid and John Dorseygot off to a fast start to free agency by signing three free agents within the first three hours of the signing period.

Nov 1, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Glenn Dorsey (72) gestures during the first quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Fasano, Chase Daniel, and Mike DeVito each fill holes Kansas City had in their roster. Fasano was the first to sign once free agency began at 3 p.m., agreeing to a four-year, $16 million deal, according to Aaron Wilson. The deal includes a $4.5 million signing bonus. Fasano lead the Miami Dolphins in touchdown catches last season, and is expected to provide depth to a roster devoid of tight end talent after current starter Tony Moeaki.

Former Missouri Tiger and New Orleans Saints backup Chase Daniel took a three-year, $9 million deal to be Alex Smith‘s backup in Kansas City. Daniel had prolific numbers in Missouri’s offense and contended for the Heisman Trophy in 2008. However, he has only attempted nine passes in his career and is very much an unknown product as a NFL quarterback. Still, the signing makes sense because Reid’s offense fits Daniel’s skill set – short, quick passes that are predicated on timing and accuracy. Daniel is not a savior or a franchise quarterback, but he will fill in nicely to in case Smith gets injured for a short period of time.

Kansas City may have fixed their interior run defense on along the defensive line with the signing of DeVito. While he is not a pass rusher, he is a very solid run defender who has had experience with new Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton. If he can help hold down the fort in the middle of the line on run defense, it will allow Dontari Poe to move outside on passing downs to rush the quarterback – a position that makes a lot of sense for him.

December 23, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Peyton Hillis (40) runs for yardage in the second half of the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Arrowhead Stadium. The Colts won 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The deal for DeVito is reported to be three-years, $12.6 million with $8 million guaranteed. It was reported up to six teams were interested in DeVito’s services.

While the Chiefs were busy making signings, Glenn Dorsey and Peyton Hillis were off entertaining new suitors.

Dorsey, who was reported earlier in the week to be working on a new deal with the Chiefs, is visiting the San Francisco 49ers, according to several reports. The signing of DeVito offsets the potential loss of Dorsey, but retaining Dorsey would be optimal if a contract can be worked out. While Dorsey have very much been considered a bust in Kansas City, he still has a lot of talent and ability if used correctly. The 49ers interest should affirm that to Chiefs fans.

Green Bay has a visit set up with Hillis according to Adam Schefter. Kansas City is not expect to try to retain him.

Here is some news from around the AFC West:

BRONCOS: John Elway made an early signing by inking Louis Vasquez to a four-year, $23.5 million deal. The guard is expected to bolster the Broncos interior offensive line. Denver also spent another $40 million when the results of Peyton Manning‘s physical came back clean, activating a two-year deal for the quarterback. This might explain why reports that Elvis Dumervil was willing to take a paycut popped up earlier today.

CHARGERS: After losing Vasquez to a division rival, San Diego responded by signing left tackle King Dunlap, tight end John Phillips, and kicker Nick Novak. The Chargers opened up cap space to make those moves by releasing Antonio Garay and Randy McMichael.

RAIDERS: Cap issues have prevented Oakland from making very many moves in the early going. John Clayton pointed out that Oakland has $32.3 million in dead cap space, but the Raiders have managed to release enough people put them $15.3 million under the cap. The big cuts came in the form of safety Michael Huff and wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey, both of whom were seventh overall draft picks for the Raiders.