Despite landing Kenneth Walker, significant defensive losses and a concerning free agency grade cast doubt on the Kansas City Chiefs' early offseason strategy.
The Kansas City Chiefs have been very busy in free agency and the trade market so far this offseason.
One major move was the Chiefs trading away cornerback Trent McDuffie in a blockbuster move with the Los Angeles Rams.
The Chiefs landed a first-round pick this year and some other draft choices, and the Rams immediately gave McDuffie a handsome new contract.
The McDuffie move was expected, so it isn't a deal-breaker for Kansas City. However, the Chiefs saw too many players leave at the start of free agency. All of Jaylen Watson, Bryan Cook and Leo Chenal left on the defensive side, and running back Isiah Pacheco departed from the offense.
The good news is that tight end Travis Kelce is back and the Chiefs hit big by signing Seahawks running back and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to a massive deal.
Still, there are some big concerns, especially on the defense, and Frank Schwab of Yahoo Sports gave the Chiefs a D+ grade for a worrisome start.
The Chiefs did sign longtime Los Angeles Chargers safety Alohi Gilman, whom the Chargers traded to the Ravens in midseason.
But, still, the secondary took a massive hit, and even with the Walker signing bringing the offense a key piece, the holes on defense are a concern for Schwab and others.
The Chiefs lost three-quarters of their secondary," Schwab wrote. "That’s a lot to replace, though signing safety Alohi Gilman helps."
The Chiefs added Khyiris Tonga, who played last season for the New England Patriots, and it is a value move.
Backup quarterback Gardner Minshew also signed a deal with the Arizona Cardinals, although that shouldn't matter too much as long as Patrick Mahomes is healthy and back to his MVP form.
The Chiefs also brought back wide receiver Tyquan Thornton on a two-year deal, and he had a nice bounce-back campaign.
Initially, the Chiefs were commonly mocked to Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love with the No. 9 overall pick in this draft, but there is no doubt that the addition of Walker changes those mock drafts up quite a bit.
Ohio State WR Carnell Tate was also linked to the Chiefs with that choice, but, barring some surprises, the Chiefs might be best off adding a safety or a cornerback at No. 9 overall, and possibly another with the Rams' pick at the end of the first round.
Right now, it looks rough in the secondary, but Brett Veach still has a chance to figure things out in the draft.