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KC Chiefs: 10 best remaining free agents and are they a fit for 2021?

By Leigh Oleszczak

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 01: Quinton Dunbar #23 of the Washington Redskins during the second half during their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 01, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 01: Quinton Dunbar #23 of the Washington Redskins during the second half during their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 01, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /
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KC Chiefs: Five remaining free agents who could help in 2021
Russell Okung #76 of the Carolina Panthers (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Is Russell Okung a fit for the KC Chiefs?

Out of all of the names to appear on this list so far, Russell Okung is the first one to be a resounding “Yes”. The Chiefs don’t have a capable left tackle on their roster right now and while they could opt to draft one in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, they’d have to move up considerably to do so.

Okung is one of two decent options remaining in free agent at the left tackle position and he might be the Chiefs’ best bet at this point. The biggest gamble with Okung is that he’s struggled to stay healthy in recent years, starting just 13 games the past two seasons. That wouldn’t fly in Kansas City and would put them in a similar position to what they experienced last season.

As far as if Okung is a fit, however, yes, he absolutely is. He’d give Kansas City their left tackle of the 2021 season and if he could stay healthy, he’d be a terrific option to have there. Sadly, banking on him not getting injured might be too much to ask and the Chiefs could easily have this backfire on them if they did decide to sign Okung.

Is Alejandro Villanueva a fit for the KC Chiefs?

A lot of what applied to Okung can be applied to Alejandro Villanueva, as they’re both left tackles and are the two best remaining options in free agency at the position. With the Chiefs’ need for a left tackle, Villanueva could be the safest option.

The issue with Okung, as I mentioned in his entry, is that he hasn’t been able to stay healthy. It’s the opposite for Villanueva, as the former Steelers tackle has played in all 16 regular-season games the past five years.

Villanueva isn’t the long-term option at left tackle, but if the Chiefs add one in the draft (which they surely will), then they wouldn’t necessarily have to throw him to the wolves right off the bat if he wasn’t ready. Villanueva could serve as a mentor and a “safe option” until KC’s left tackle of the future is ready to fill that role.

There are only two serviceable left tackles remaining in free agency and Villanueva is one of them, so of course, he’s a fit for Kansas City in 2021.

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