3 Chiefs Who Should Be Cut Before Free Agency Opens

The Chiefs have already started on their offseason plan to free up cap space for the long list of free agents due for contract, including defensive stars Chris Jones and L'Jarius Sneed.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling was the first to be let go, though several other players are likely to be cut as well before free agency officially opens in the NFL on March 13th. With the NFL Combine going on too, the Chiefs will ultimately need to allocate roster spots to impressive rookies, adding to the complicated maneuvering Brett Veach has ahead.

These are tough decisions, but let's have a look at three Chiefs who should be cut before free agency officially opens:

3 Chiefs Who Should Be Cut Before Free Agency Opens

1. Justyn Ross - WR

I'm a fan of Justyn Ross and his talent, though the former Clemson star couldn't crack the field much this year despite relatively poor competition. The Chiefs need to aggressively add both wide receivers in free agency and the draft. That means freeing up some space, and Ross feels like the odd man out after Valdes-Scantling.

It wouldn't surprise me at all to see the team move on from Kadarius Toney as well, but his contract is guaranteed already so either trading him or keeping him around feel like more probable potential outcomes.

Ross suited up for 10 games, catching six passes on 11 targets for 53 yards after a strong training camp and preseason. He's on the books for just under $1 million and would likely be a practice squad candidate, unlike Toney.

Up on the far upper right portion of the chart there, Ross is still one of the most impressive wide receiver prospects in recent memory. Injuries derailed his promising career, but he could still make an impact on the league.

Here's hoping Ross sticks on the practice squad, though I'd admittedly be surprised if he's on the active roster in 2024 barring injury.

2. Lucas Niang - RT

The 2020 third-round pick hasn't stuck in the rotation as hoped, playing sparingly and serving only as a depth piece in most situations. Kansas City can free up another $1.3 million but releasing him prior to the final year of his rookie deal.

Donovan Smith is likely not returning after the Chiefs spent another third-rounder on Wanya Morris out of Oklahoma last year. Morris started at left tackle when Smith was injured, indicating the organization's preference for the younger addition.

I think the Chiefs will add an offensive lineman in the draft and there are encouraging free agents projected to be available around the league too.

Niang started nine games in 2021, though is below 6% of the snaps over the last two seasons. It's possible Brett Veach decides to keep Niang as a backup for Jawaan Taylor. However, if he's adding bodies to the group, Niang's contract makes the most sense to move on from.

This final player is one you may be surprised to know was on the team.

3. Anthony Miller - WR

Anthony Miller joined the Chiefs during the season in case he could provide some juice to a pass-catching group that led the NFL in drops (44) despite Patrick Mahomes' typical brilliance.

However, Miller never got onto the field and hasn't seen action in an NFL game since 2021 with the Steelers. The former second-round pick is on the books for just under $1 million, and we've seen Veach work wonders with small contracts like the ones he gave to Drue Tranquill and Mike Edwards last year.

Miller looked like an exciting player early in his career, scoring seven receiving TDs his rookie season with the Bears and hauling in 52 passes for 656 yards in his sophomore campaign.

He's bounced around the league after being traded to the Texans, but similar to Ross, Miller is a guy I could see landing on the practice squad to provide some depth should someone get injured. The Chiefs are tied to free agents like Mike Evans already and are projected to take a receiver in the early rounds, making it a tough sell to imagine Miller on the active roster.

Freeing up 1$ million here and there adds up quickly, so I'd look for lower-tier guys like Miller to be on the receiving end of tough conservations before free agency opens.

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