National media outlet names the top free agent the Chiefs should pursue this offseason
CBS Sports recently named one free agent that each NFL team should prioritize this offseason and they went with an intriguing option for the Kansas City Chiefs. Jordan Dajani, an NFL writer for CBS Sports, thinks the Chiefs should try to sign New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Marcus Davenport. From CBS Sports: If the Chiefs […]
CBS Sports recently named one free agent that each NFL team should prioritize this offseason and they went with an intriguing option for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Jordan Dajani, an NFL writer for CBS Sports, thinks the Chiefs should try to sign New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Marcus Davenport.
If the Chiefs release Frank Clark to clear some cap space, they will need a pass rusher who fits their 4-3 scheme. That's Davenport. However, he could come expensive. Davenport recorded just half a sack in 15 games played last year, but his 19 percent pass-rush win rate over the past three seasons ranks 14th, per PFF, and his 14.2 percent pressure rate ranks 17th among pass rushers. Bottom line: he gets pressure on the quarterback.
Dajani mentions the possibility that Kansas City could release Clark and then sign Davenport.
If the Chiefs go that route, they won't save any salary cap space.
Releasing Clark would come with a $9 million dead cap hit. Clark's salary in 2023 is $30 million, so Kansas City would save about $21 million.
Davenport is projected by Spotrac to receive a contract that pays him around $23 million annually.
The Chiefs could probably structure the deal to lower the cap hits for 2023 and maybe 2024 (depending on the length of the contract), but ultimately, it wouldn't save the franchise any cash.
What signing Davenport would do, however, is make Kansas City a little younger along the defensive line. And that could certainly be an attractive option for the Chiefs.
Featured image via Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
