WR Noah Brown
Projected Contract: 1 year, $2.5 million
Max offer: 1 year, $4 million
Brown has been a guy I have been a fan of for several years, and I have been advocating for him over the last few seasons. I have listed Noah Brown on my list of underrated free agents in each of the last 2 offseasons, and when he was cut by the Texans in preseason this year. Brown is a solid rotation receiver who can play a variety of roles in an offense and would be a reliable weapon for Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes to lean on as needed.
There are concerns when it comes to Brown, as he has yet to find a consistent role with a team and has struggled with injuries. This season, Brown suffered a rib injury in week 15 that was later reported to have caused a kidney issue as well and kept him out the rest of the year. But if the Chiefs feel confident that Brown is healthy and ready to go for 2025, he should be a priority target for them this offseason.
TE John Bates
Projected Contract: 2 years, $8 million
Max offer: 3 years, $10 million
It was genuinely unintentional to have three Commanders' free agents in a row, not to mention another one who went to Boise State. But a significant part of the Commanders' breakout this season was due to the success of their role players. Bates has been a rotation TE for them and has excelled as a blocker behind guys like Zach Ertz and Logan Thomas. The Chiefs will have three tight ends under contract, but none of them are exceptional blockers in the run game the way that Bates is.
With Kelce returning for another season, Noah Gray and Jared Wiley are set up to be the future TEs of the Chiefs. Adding Bates would give the team a good third option who can contribute as a blocker in 12 personnel. Similar to the prior guys on this list, Bates will be undervalued due to his lack of production, but he provides a lot of value on the field that won't show up on the stat sheet. If the Chiefs are interested in adding a fourth TE, Bates should be at the top of their list.
Offensive Tackle Larry Borom
Projected Contract: 2 years, $12 million
Max offer: 1 year, $8 million
Larry Borom should be near the top of the Chiefs' offseason priority list as they look to bolster the offensive line this offseason. The Chiefs' left tackle spot was a revolving door for them all season, with Kingsley Suamatiaia, Wanya Morris, DJ Humphries, and Joe Thuney all getting significant time on Mahomes’ blind side. Jawaan Taylor has also had struggles with penalties, so it is likely the Chiefs will be looking to add a swing tackle who has the potential to be a starter this offseason.
Chiefs fans may be familiar with this name, as Borom was a versatile lineman for Missouri before being a fifth-round pick in 2021. Bears fans have not been impressed with Borom's play over the last few seasons, and he will likely hit free agency. Borom is just 25 years old and has had five different offensive coaches in his career with the Bears. Borom’s versatility is valuable, and having some coaching consistency will help him find a good role for the Chiefs in the NFL.