The Kansas City Chiefs are going for their third straight Super Bowl title in 2024 but a major component in their secondary will be gone.
On Mar. 22, the Chiefs traded away CB L'Jarius Sneed to the Tennessee Titans for a 2025 third-round pick and a 2024 seventh-round pick. Sneed received $19 million APY over four years with $55 million guaranteed on his new deal with Tennesee.
Kansas City couldn't shelve out that kind of money to Sneed and decided to flip him. Now there is a hole in the secondary but there are quality guys still on the market.
Below we'll discuss three free agents still available for the Chiefs to replace Sneed.
3. Adoree' Jackson
CB Adoree' Jackson is a fairly athletic and nimble playmaker in the secondary. Jackson has great instincts with a knack for lining up both inside and outside.
The USC product has the leaping ability to soar high for pass deflections and even provides versatility as a punt returner. Jackson spent the last three years with the New York Giants and was up-and-down for Big Blue.
The 28-year-old still owns the talent to make an impact if he is brought into Kansas City. In his career, Jackson recorded 376 total tackles, 56 pass deflections, five forced fumbles, and four interceptions.
Jackson has missed 14 games over the past three seasons but is a nice playmaker when healthy.
If Kansas City brought Jackson to town, he likely won't cost much.
2. Xavien Howard
The Miami Dolphins released CB Xavien Howard at the start of the offseason. Howard was slated to have a $25.9 million cap hit in 2024 but Miami decided they didn't want to dish out that money.
That doesn't mean that Howard isn't a good player at his position still cause he certainly is. Howard never backs away from competition and will rise up when needed.
The Baylor product can be physical with receivers and excels when the ball is in the air. He has the bounce to soar high to snag the football and has established himself as a ball hawk.
The four-time Pro Bowl selection is second in the NFL in interceptions (29) since entering the league in 2016.
He's also supplied 331 total tackles and 95 pass deflections in his career, including 12-plus pass breakups in six of his eight seasons in the NFL.
The Chiefs already have a stud in the secondary with Trent McDuffie but the addition of Howard would be solid at this point of free agency.
Kansas City doesn't need Howard to be the lockdown defender he was in Miami but just be a reliable corner. At 30 years old, Howard may not be the same player he was in his prime but he's still a solid player.
1. Stephon Gilmore
Stephon Gilmore is a name that Kansas City should definitely have its eyes on. Gilmore, at age 33, is still a disruptive and instinctive defender.
The former South Carolina standout has the footwork and football IQ to play like glue in coverage. Gilmore has played the game at a high level for a bunch of years now and could be a valuable asset to any team that needs help in the secondary.
He played with the Dallas Cowboys in 2023 and still made a positive impact. He played in a career-high 17 games, notching a career-best 68 total tackles, 13 pass deflections, and two interceptions.
According to PFF, Gilmore finished the campaign with a 74.4 overall grade and 72.3 in coverage.
The 2012 first-round pick has built a terrific resume in his 12-year career. He's a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro selection.
He fits perfectly in Kansas City's championship window and would be a great addition at this time of the year.
Acquiring a 33-year-old CB with championship experience is something that GM Brett Veach should be thinking about.
Even with Sneed no longer in town, the Chiefs are absolutely loaded and are poised to make another deep playoff run. They currently have the second-best odds in the NFL to win the whole thing at +650. Head over to FanDuel Sportsbook, claim your sign-up bonus, and take advantage of these odds to back the Chiefs.
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