5 pending free agents that the Kansas City Chiefs have previously shown interest in

When the 2024 NFL league year opens on March 13, the Kansas City Chiefs could turn their attention to players they've shown past interest in. The precedent that has been set over the years under Brett Veach's leadership, whether we're talking reserve future signings or bigger free agent acquisitions.  Just a season ago, the Chiefs […]

Charles Goldman — NFL Managing Editor
Add as preferred source on Google
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

When the 2024 NFL league year opens on March 13, the Kansas City Chiefs could turn their attention to players they've shown past interest in. The precedent that has been set over the years under Brett Veach's leadership, whether we're talking reserve future signings or bigger free agent acquisitions. 

Just a season ago, the Chiefs signed Charles Omenihu to a two-year contract in free agency. They'd previously shown interest in trading for him when he was on the block with the Houston Texans, but they opted for Melvin Ingram instead. Before that, they'd had a formal interview with him at the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine.

Here's a quick look at five pending free agents who we know the Chiefs have shown prior interest in:

Lions WR Josh Reynolds 

During the 2021 NFL offseason, The Athletic's Dianna Russini (who was with ESPN in 2021) reported that the Chiefs had shown interest in Reynolds before he signed with the Titans. He was later released and claimed by the Detroit Lions, where there was a connection with GM Brad Holmes, who helped draft him in Los Angeles. There was also the connection with QB Jared Goff, who he played with on the Rams. 

Over the past two seasons in Detroit, Reynolds amassed 78 receptions for over 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns. It was the best two-year stretch of his career. At 6-foot-3 and 193 pounds, he'd bring some needed size in the wide receiver room for Kansas City.

A to Z Sports' Josh Queipo and Kyle Dediminicantanio project that Reynolds will receive a two-year contract worth up to $11 million in free agency this year.

Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins 

Injuries have plagued Dobbins' career since 2021, when he suffered an ACL tear in the final game of the preseason. He was in and out of the lineup with a knee injury in 2022 before suffering a torn Achilles in Week 1 of 2023 against the Houston Texans. 

I could see the Chiefs taking a chance on Dobbins, just as they did on Jerick McKinnon after things went awry in San Francisco (a one-year prove-it contract). They had a virtual pre-draft visit with the OSU product ahead of the 2020 NFL draft, which indicates at least some level of interest, but they opted for Clyde Edwards-Helaire at the end of Round 1 instead.  

Dolphins DT Raekwon Davis 

Even with the Chiefs striking a deal with star DT Chris Jones ahead of the legal tampering period, they're going to need some reinforcements along the defensive line. Derrick Nnadi is a free agent as is Mike Pennel, which means K.C. is lacking beef in the defensive interior. The Chiefs had an interest in Davis when he was coming out of Alabama, meeting with him for a formal interview at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. 

Davis hasn't been the most productive when it comes to rushing the passer in the NFL, but the 26-year-old has 48 career starters under his belt. At 6-foot-7 and 325 pounds, he's tough to move in the run game, producing a whopping 62 run stops since his rookie campaign according to PFF.

I tend to believe that Joe Cullen and the rest of the coaching staff in Kansas City can get the most out of him, perhaps using him in similar ways as he used Calais Campbell in the past. There's also strong potential to pair him with a former Alabama teammate Isaiah Buggs.

Patriots EDGE Josh Uche 

Should the Chiefs lose Mike Danna in free agency, Uche is someone who could fit as a replacement on a lesser contract. In an alternate reality, the 25-year-old could have been selected by Kansas City in the 2020 NFL draft, just several rounds earlier than Danna. Chiefs GM Brett Veach revealed as much shortly after the 2020 draft.

The Chiefs had an interest in Uche that year, interviewing him formally at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. When they went to the Michigan pro day, the staff made Danna a point of emphasis. 

Uche has only started three career games in New England since 2020, but he has appeared in 51 total games. He put together a dominant season back in 2022 with 11.5 sacks, but last year he was only able to manage three sacks on the season. A bounce-back could be in store for Uche if given the right opportunity as a rotational edge rusher.

Colts RB Zack Moss

This feels like a very Chiefs move to sign a former draft pick of a rival (Buffalo Bills) and get a lot of production out of him. He's coming off a career year with the Colts, where he had a lot of opportunities in place of Jonathan Taylor. He reached highs in attempts (183), yards (794), rushing touchdowns (5), and first downs (43). He also had career highs in receptions (27) and receiving touchdowns (2).

Moss, of course, had a formal interview with the Chiefs at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. It's reasonable that they'd still have some level of interest in the 26-year-old at the right value. Given the state of the RB market, I suspect that taking a deal on a Super Bowl champion to be a complement to Isiah Pacheco could be among the best offers out there. 

Other names to know. . . 

  • EDGE Dorance Armstrong – Top-30
  • OT Charlie Heck – Combine
  • OT Josh Jones – Virtual Interview
  • WR Curtis Samuel – Combine
  • WR Van Jefferson – Senior Bowl
  • WR Odell Beckham Jr. – Free Agency

Related Articles