NFL free agency: 5 moves the Kansas City Chiefs should make

The Kansas City Chiefs are coming off their first Super Bowl win in 50 years. In order to have their best chance of repeating — and becoming the first team to do so since the 2003-04 New England Patriots — here are five moves Kansas City should consider in free agency:

5. Re-sign Stefen Wisniewski

The Kansas City Chiefs enjoyed fine pass protection for much of the season, and the front wall was at its best when Wisniewski was inserted in mid-December. The veteran free-agent was signed at midseason and thrived in Kansas City, winning his second title in three years. While Wisniewski has enjoyed a terrific career, the cost to retain him won’t be prohibitive. This is an easy call for general manager Brett Veach.

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4. Re-sign Mike Pennel

This is a very similar situation to Wisniewski, just on the defensive side. Pennel also came in at midseason, joining the Chiefs in Week 8 and never looking back. While the 28-year-old offers little in pass-rush prowess, he’s a force against the run. Once Pennel started to see significant snaps, Kansas City’s interior tightened up, highlighted by holding Derrick Henry to 69 yards rushing in the AFC Championship Game.

3. Allow Sammy Watkins to hit the market

Watkins has been a good player in Kansas City over his two seasons. He’s also been borderline dominant in the postseason for the Chiefs, making clutch catches this year in the AFC title game and Super Bowl LIV. However, Watkins hasn’t been healthy for stretches in each of his campaigns with Kansas City, and is due a whopping $21 million against the cap. The Chiefs can save $14 million if they cut him, and tight against the cap, that money would come in handy elsewhere.

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2. Re-sign Bashaud Breeland

Deciding between Breeland and corner/safety Kendall Fuller was tough. Very tough. Frankly, Veach can’t go wrong with either. So why Breeland? Because he plays as a boundary corner, and Fuller saw his action in the slot and at safety. Additionally, Breeland played 82 percent of defensive snaps last year, compared to Fuller’s 45 percent. It makes sense for Veach to sign Breeland is the price tag isn’t prohibitive, creating less of a void on the perimeter, and in the snaps needing to be replaced.

1. Re-sign Chris Jones

Best for last. The Chiefs are going to franchise-tag Jones with the intent of signing him long-term. Jones is the best defensive lineman on the planet not named Aaron Donald. Getting a deal done with Jones prior to the summer would go a long way towards making another title run.