Per Overthecap.com, the Kansas City Chiefs are currently 20th in effective cap space with a little over $498k in the bank. Effective cap space is a more accurate number because it takes thing such as the top-51 and the cost to sign the 2022 draft class into account.

So, as you can see, moves will be made in order to help the Chiefs free up cap space. Restructures should be the first option that comes to mind. Trades are next in line, but roster cuts are bound to come into play at some point.

But even with that knowledge at the forefront of our minds, there are a few names that will surprise if they're let go.

Let's take a look at who those guys are.

CB Rashad Fenton

Fenton has made the most of his three-year career, especially for a sixth-round draft pick. He even qualified for a PPE raise in 2022, thanks to playing an average of 35% or more defensive snaps over his first three years in the league.

Fenton started eight games last year and allowed the second-lowest quarterback rating among the Chiefs' starting corners, per Pro Football Focus. He appears to be a steal with a $2.53 million base salary in 2022. The Chiefs currently have just two other cornerbacks on their roster, as well. Cutting Fenton would leave them shorthanded in a big, big way.

But Kansas City has some decisions to make when it comes to the likes of Charvarius Ward, Mike Hughes, and Tyrann Mathieu. Ward has played well since he was traded to the Chiefs and Hughes was solid in 2021. We all know what Mathieu is.

Could they forgo Fenton in order to keep those guys around?

Fenton is the only homegrown player out of the bunch and teams usually favor those guys when it comes to roster decisions. But, how much do they value the aforementioned trio of free agents is the question to ask.

It's hard to see the Chiefs perceiving Fenton's contract as an issue, but they save $2.5 million by releasing him. His cap hit is too low for an extension, as well, meaning it would provide any relief like most extensions would. A restructure is pointless, too.

A trade would be the logical route. Based off Fenton's career, the Chiefs could certainly get something in return, which is why cutting him would be a major surprise.

WR Mecole Hardman

Kansas City is already pretty limited when it comes to receiving options behind Tyreek Hill (not including Travis Kelce, of course), so it would be a surprise if it were to cut Hardman, who still has one year left on his rookie deal.

Hardman set career-highs in both receptions (59) and receiving yards (693) in 2021, and has notched 500+ receiving yards in all three years of his career. He also earned a Pro Bowl nod as a kick returner in 2019. However, Hardman averaged just 11.7 yards per reception in 2021, which is not ideal when your game is centered around speed and YAC.

One telling development was Hardman's drop in playing time as the 2021 season went on. He averaged 64% of offensive snaps through the first nine games but saw that figure drop all the way to 38% over the final eight games. His role on special teams dropped, as well. Hardman played an average of 13% of special teams snaps, but averaged just 6.5% of snaps over the same time periods.

Still, even if he's fallen out of favor with the Chiefs, I'm sure Brett Veach could find someone to take him off their hands. He's young and he offers both receiving and returning potential at an affordable cost.

Sure, nearly $4 million is a decent chunk of money, which is what the Chiefs save by cutting Hardman. But it would still surprising to see them let go of young talent without getting anything in return.

K Harrison Butker

Butker has been one of the NFL's best kickers over the last few years, so it would almost be shocking if he were let go.

The Chiefs stand to save close to $2.8 million if he's off the books, so there are savings to be had. Butker missed just three field goals over the course of the 2021 season, however, and two of those three misses came from 50+ yards out.

PATs are where he struggles. Since 2018, Butker's 93.2% hit rate is 20th among all kickers with at least 75 attempted PATs. His 15 missed PATs lead the league over that span, too.

But, regardless, Butker has one of the strongest legs in the NFL and he's very accurate, which is a major weapon to have when you're one of the top offenses in the NFL.

Releasing Butker would not only be a surprise, but a mistake, as well.

Featured image via-Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports