Wednesday Chiefs Roundup: Avery Signs, Dorsey Leaves, AFC West News

Enter Donnie Avery, exit Glenn Dorsey.

On the day the Kansas City Chiefs officially announced the trade for Alex Smith and signings of Anthony Fasano, Chase Daniel, and Mike DeVito, John Dorsey and company added another weapon in wide receiver Donnie Avery. Avery, 28, comes to Kansas City after spending last season with the Indianapolis Colts, setting career high marks in receptions, yards, and yards per game. Kansas City could use his skills on the other side of Dwayne Bowe after former first round pick Jonathan Baldwinfailed to develop at the second wide receiver position. A catch-and-run receiver, Avery brings sub-4.3 speed to the Chiefs offense, something it needed an injection of.

Dec. 2, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Donnie Avery (11) runs into the end zone to score the game winning touchdown to defeat the Detroit Lions 35-33 at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

As Avery was signing his deal, Glenn Dorsey was signing one with the San Francisco 49ers. The defensive end is leaving for the defending NFC champions after spending five seasons with the Chiefs. A former number five overall pick, Dorsey never became what Chiefs fans hoped he would be on the defensive line. Instead he has been a poster boy for poor drafting and a the failure of previous front offices to evaluate talent that matches with their schemes. In the five seasons he was in Kansas City Dorsey recorded just four sacks, though he was considered an excellent run defender by advanced statistics.

It was rumored that the Chiefs attempted to work out a deal before the free agency period but Dorsey instead chose to test the free agent waters. As a result Kansas City went ahead and signed DeVito to replace the open position along the defensive line.

(Here is a rundown of the Chiefs moves from Tuesday.)

AFC WEST NOTES

BRONCOS: The big AFC West news of the day came from Denver when they landed free agent wide receiver Wes Welker in a two-year, $12 million deal. Peyton Manning will now have to choose between throwing to Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, Welker, Jacob Tamme, or Joel Dreessen. Odds are someone is going to open as that is a lot of receiving threats for opponents to scheme against.

“Excited to have [Welker] join the Broncos,” Elway tweeted. “His production and toughness will be a great asset!”

Denver also made two additional moves, signing defensive tackle Terrance Knighton and linebacker Stewart Bradley to short-term deals.

UPDATE: Busy day for Denver as they have signed Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie to a one-year contract, according to Adam Schefter.

CHARGERS: San Diego signed guard Chad Rinehart to fill the vacancy left by Louis Vasquez, who was signed by Denver earlier in the week.

Wide receiver and kick returner Richard Goodman signed his tender today. He was an Exclusive Rights Free Agent.

RAIDERS: Three free agents signed with a busy Raiders front office. Linebacker Kaluka Maiava signed a three-year, $6 million deal to play for Oakland, while defensive tackle Pat Sims and defensive end Jason Hunter also signed small deals.

Oakland is reeling from over $30 million in dead cap space which is preventing them from making big moves to improve their 4-12 football team. Needless to say they will have a lot of cap room to work with next season.