Kansas City Has Big Shoes To Fill On Defense But Is Hoping Some New Additions Will Help Keep It's Defense Solid, For The Upcoming Season.
My series covering every NFL team continues with this article taking a look at the Kansas City Chiefs. I will be identifying players that I would consider adding ahead of the 2019 season. Also included will be my recommendations on what it might take to acquire these players.
Alex Okafor, Defensive End:
Alex Okafor, 28, signed a three-year contract, worth up to $24 million with the Kansas City Chiefs this off-season. Currently, he is projected to be their starting right defensive end. He ended last season with 25 solo tackles, five, tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits, and four sacks. This was all done over 16 starts. Okafor has been a fairly consistent player, over the last few seasons, in New Orleans. While Okafor is not a star, he should play quality snaps for a defense that really needs to be better, making him a great buy low for me.
Fantasy Recommendation:
There is a decent chance he is available on the waiver wire. If not, it should not cost you more than a late round pick to add him. He makes for a great depth add, in IDP leagues, for this upcoming season.
Honorable Mention:Â Derrick Nnadi, Defensive Tackle.
Breeland Speaks, Outside Linebacker:
Breeland Speaks, 23, was a second round draft pick by Kansas City in 2018. He ended his rookie season with 15 solo tackles, three tackles for loss, eight quarterback hits, and one and a half sacks. That was done over 16 games played and 4 starts. With the losses of Justin Houston (Indianapolis) and Dee Ford (San Francisco) this off-season, Speaks will have every chance to win one of the starting jobs in 2019. Lets hope he was able to learn a few things, from Houston and Ford, that will help translate to IDP success.
Fantasy Recommendation:
He should be widely available on your waiver wire given who he played behind last season. If the Chiefs don't aggressively address this need during the draft, Speaks could be a nice pick to have a strong upcoming season.
Honorable Mention: Emmanuel Ogbah, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker. I'm guessing that he will be listed as an outside linebacker in My Fantasy League.
Bashaud Breeland, Cornerback:
Bashaud Breeland, 27, signed a one-year contract with Kansas City that has a max value of $5 million, to replace the departed Steven Nelson (Pittsburgh). He ended last season with 16 solo tackles and one tackle for loss over seven games played and five starts. 2018 was a down year for Breeland, in Green Bay. Due to how much the AFC West likes to throw and the Chiefs lack of depth at corner; I see him having a bounce back season in 2019. He is a great buy low candidate for me.
Fantasy Recommendation:
He should be available on your waiver wires and makes for a great depth add and bye week fill in with the potential for more. Lets hope the Chiefs do not draft a corner high in the upcoming draft.
Honorable Mention:Â Jordan Lucas, Safety.
Conclusion
The Kansas City Chiefs will have a very different looking defense, personnel wise, for next season. However, I think the players mentioned above have the ability to fill in nicely and help this unit remain strong. Ranking these buy lows in order of priority, it would be Alex Okafor, Bashaud Breeland, and Breeland Speaks. Hopefully, you find these recommendations helpful in your quest to build that championship roster for 2019. Please keep an eye out for the Los Angeles Chargers.
