Kansas City Chiefs: Players who could be let go after 2019

KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 06: Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates his 13-yard touchdown reception with teammates in the first quarter of the AFC Wild Card game between the Tennessee Titans and Kansas City Chiefs on January 6, 2018 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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Sammy Watkins (14) (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /

SAMMY WATKINS

Sammy Watkins was the jewel of the Chiefs 2018 and signed a big three year contract that included a $21 million signing bonus.

The contract was structured in a way that guaranteed the receiver two years, but would likely mean the Chiefs would be moving on from the former Clemson star after the 2019 star. His 2020 cap figure is set to be $21 million, with the only dead money being the prorated portion of the signing bonus, $7 million. His release after the 2019 season will save the Chiefs $14 million against the cap for the 2020 season.

Marcus Kemp, Byron Pringle, and Gehrig Dieter are among the young names to keep an eye on, and the Chiefs recently signed Sammie Coates, a former third round pick of the Steelers and will only be 26 when the season starts.

Don’t be surprised if the Chiefs target a wide receiver in the middle to late rounds of the 2019 NFL Draft. The Chiefs have visited with Marshall receiver Tyre Brady both at the Senior Bowl and the NFL Combine.

The money saved from moving on from Watkins will allow the Chiefs to fill his roster spot with a cheaper option at the position and also can help in the extension work with Tyreek Hill.

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