3. DJ Humphries, Offensive Tackle
Projected Contract: 1 year, $4 million
Max Offer: 1 year, $7.5 million
DJ Humphries was signed by the Chiefs mid season after his recovery from an ACL injury he suffered in January of 2024. Left Tackle was a revolving door for the Chiefs all year in 2024, and the team hoped that Humphries could stick on Patrick Mahomes blind side. Humphries went out with a hamstring injury against the Chargers that kept him out and he wasn’t able to get back on the field.
Humphries was once the 24th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft and has been very productive throughout his 9-year NFL career. Humphries spent the last 9 years in Arizona where he has been a consistent contributor at left tackle but injuries stalled his career and caused the Cardinals to cut him in 2024. Despite this, the Chiefs were willing to pick him up and give him a shot at LT in 2024.
This year, Humphries will be turning 32 and he will be entering his tenth season in the NFL. There are concerns about his injury history as well as potential regression, but I think there is plenty left in the tank for Humphries and it was clear he felt the same when he signed with the Chiefs this season. If the Chiefs can work out a one-year deal, Humphries is worth a shot at LT and the team can keep Suamataia and Morris as insurance in case of injury or a significant step back in 2025.
4. Malik Herring, Defensive End
Projected Contract: 2 years, $6.5 million
Max Offer: 1 year, $5 million
Malik Herring is not a flashy big name for the Chiefs, but re-signing him should be one of Brett Veach’s first priorities. A versatile defensive lineman, Herring's value comes at a variety of positions along the defensive line. As I mentioned before, several people may not be super familiar with Malik Herring, and while he is not the flashiest player on the Chiefs defense, his versatility is very valuable.
Herring was a guy I liked in the 2021 class, because of his stocky frame and versatility along the line. Herring was considered a 4th or 5th-round pick in the draft before an ACL tear at the senior bowl derailed his hopes. He proceeded to fall out of the draft and was signed by the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. Herring proceeded to impress the Chiefs staff in training camp and won himself a spot on the 53-man roster.
This offseason, Herring will hit the open market for the first time in his career, and the Chiefs are faced with a decision about bringing him back. The value of Malik Herring comes in his ability to play inside and out, he can stop the run, stunt for other lineman and set the edge outside. Steve Spagnoulo likes guys who can play on the edge but also have a big frame and can be moved around. With the Chiefs likely losing Charles Omenihu, Herring will be their best bet to fill this role on a cheap short-term deal.
5. Samaje Perine, Running Back
Projected Contract: 1 year, $2 millions
Max Offer: 2 years, $5 million
The Chiefs signed Perine to a one-year, 1.5 million dollar contract after he was cut by the Broncos at the final roster deadline. The Chiefs running back room lacked depth and adding Perine became a priority going into the 2024 season. The Chiefs RB room went through a lot of change in 2024, with Isaiah Pacheco going down mid-season with a brutal injury and the team deciding to move on from former first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire. This made Perine's services valuable and he played in all 17 games for the Chiefs in 2024.
I have been a fan of Perine for a few years now, and I think he may be one of the most underrated running backs in the NFL. Perine continues to sign small contracts for NFL teams, and his stat sheet does not show an elite running back with great production. But Perine's contributions to an offense can not be overstated. He plays with incredible power, is a great receiver and is one of the best pass-blocking running backs in the NFL, something that is very valuable in the Chiefs pass-heavy offense.
Perine is one of the strongest players in the NFL, coming in at five feet ten inches, 235 pounds. Coming out of Oklahoma, Perine boosted his profile with impressive displays of strength, putting up 30 reps of a 225 pound bench press at the combine. The stories of Perine’s incredible strength are well documented, with rumors he can max out at 450 as well as a story that he helped a woman change a tire on her car by lifting the back of her car off the ground. Regardless of the rumors, Perine is compact and strong, and his ability in the pass game is incredibly valuable and if the team can bring him back on a cheap deal, he could make a big impact again in 2025.