KC Chiefs: Five free agents to target at five positions of need

Linebacker

1. Cory Littleton, Los Angeles Rams

Cory Littleton is by far the best free agent linebacker available this offseason. Over the past couple of seasons he has become one of the best interior linebackers in the league and has played himself into a nice paycheck, probably one too high for the Chiefs (projected at $12.2 million), but one can always dream.

2. Joe Schobert, Cleveland Browns

Joe Schobert is another good all-around linebacker. He is probably a shade worse than Littleton in coverage, but is a very comparable tackler. He is definitely a coverage first linebacker who won’t excel in the run game but can hold his own.

Schobert appeared to be a good option early on for the Chiefs, but is now reportedly looking for around $10 million per year, which may be too pricey for Kansas City.

3. Christian Kirksey, Cleveland Browns

Christian Kirksey is not quite the player that Schobert is and maybe the Browns releasing Kirksey is pointing toward them re-signing Schobert. That being said, Kirksey is a solid linebacker who has started a bunch of games for the Browns and could be a sneaky good signing.

He has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons, but if he can stay healthy, he will be a serviceable linebacker that Veach could likely get on the low. He’s also from St. Louis, so it may interest him to come home to Missouri and play for the Chiefs.

4. Nick Kwiatkoski, Chicago Bears

Not very many football fans outside of Chicago probably knew much about Nick Kwiatkoski until he exploded onto the scene last year due to injury in Chicago. With the re-signing of Danny Trevathan, Kwiatkoski is likely out in Chicago, but his solid play -especially in coverage – has earned him a shot at a starting spot elsewhere. Could it be in Kansas City?

5. Dylan Cole, Houston Texans

Dylan Cole is likely not going to come to Kansas City and be a starter next year, but he could be a solid backup and special teams stand out. Cole had a solid rookie season after signing with the Texans as an undrafted free agent out of Missouri State.

He has struggled with season-ending injuries each of his first three seasons, but he could have some upside for the Chiefs if he can stay healthy. Maybe he could sign with his home-state Chiefs and have a breakout season in 2020.

**UPDATE – Cole was tendered by the Texans and will return to Houston in 2020**