Brett Veach prioritizing re-signing Chris Jones, L'Jarius Sneed

[RunKC]

What some of us have been wondering...

HENDERSON, Nev. -- Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said he is aware of the challenge the organization faces in re-signing both defensive tackle Chris Jones and cornerback L'Jarius Sneed but said it would be an offseason priority to get both players under new contracts.

"Sometimes I look at our situation and I'm like, 'I don't know how we're going to do this,' but we usually work through things systematically and have a list of the priorities,'' Veach said as the Chiefs continued preparations for Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers. "Certainly, Chris and LJ are at the top of the list.

"It's extremely hard because you have two keystone players there.''

Jones, 29, has been one of the NFL's top pass-rushers for years. He had 10.5 sacks this season to tie for the team lead after missing training camp and the first regular-season game while holding out for a new contract.

He didn't get the extension he was looking for, but the Chiefs sweetened the final season of his existing contract.

"It was important for us to mend the fences with Chris because we love him and he's an iconic player here, not just here, but I mean of all time,'' Veach said. "That was important for us, and we'll continue to work hard and see if we can get something done, but it will be a priority for us.''

The Chiefs used Sneed, 27, this season to defend against the opponent's top receiver much of the time, and none had big games against him.

Jones and Sneed are key players for an improved Chiefs defense that allowed fewer points than all but one other team during the regular season and held the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens to 41 total points in the playoffs.

The Chiefs had defenses that were at times competitive since Patrick Mahomes became their starting quarterback in 2018, but rarely were they consistently so. Veach and the Chiefs found the task of building a top defense difficult because the past few seasons they were carrying Mahomes' massive contract.

"I still remember in '17 and '18 just saying if we can just get them to punt just once we've got a shot,'' Veach said. "Now all of a sudden it's like all we've got to do is just score once and we're good.

"Going from where we were in '17 and '18 to having one of the best defenses, knowing the constraints we had of just paying [Mahomes] and probably drafting later [in rounds], I don't think I ever envisioned having a top one or two defense.''

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/...-ljarius-sneed

[ForeverIowan]

Originally Posted by JohnnyHammersticks

He's got some good tape for sure. I'd be happy with picking him. Only problem is imo he's a early-ish to mid-2nd guy. Taking him with #32 would be a bit too high, but he pretty much definitely won't be there when we pick in the 2nd.

Veach has shown he will move around in the 2nd round if needed to ensure he gets his guy. Agreed, from all the mocks I have seen, 32 is too early. I think early 50 territory is where you'd need to get. If he comes out and runs a 4.2 though (which he very well may do) all of that changes. If this offense gets more explosive downfield, Kelce and Rice will thrive with the underneath stuff.

[MahomesMagic]

Originally Posted by JohnnyHammersticks

Except for him being 2" shorter and 30lbs lighter? Not seeing the comp there.

Yeah, playing style.

Worthy is a tiny, small player, unlike Chark.

[Sassy Squatch]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I don't think there's any scenario at all whereby 'a bit less than $17 million' for Calvin Ridley is a steal.

The issue I saw with Ridley this year is that the dude would just VANISH for weeks at a time.

Let's look at his season and highlight everything at/above 80 and at/below 40:

101, 32,40, 38, 122, 30, 5, 83, 20, 103, 89, 26, 53, 39, 90, 39, 106

Damn that's up and down. That's more red than green. For a 'reliable 3rd option' he sure as hell doesn't seem that reliable, does he?

And this is a guy who was ostensibly the #1 target on a good passing offense with a quality QB on a team that ran this style offense and was in a dogfight all season for a playoff spot.

Look at some of those games in there and tell me that he wasn't the reason they went home. That when he sucked up 21 targets for 7 catches and 80 yards in 2consecutive games against teams they needed to beat and lost by a combined 7 points that he wasn't a MASSIVE part of the problem.

I just can't see wanting to pay him what he'll cost.

Didn't watch them so maybe he did just loaf for weeks at a time, but that could be just as indicative of incredibly poor offensive coaching.

[Sassy Squatch]

Also to be fair, can't just hand wave away why he's only got 5 years on his career and is almost 30. Dude is kind of dumb.

[MahomesMagic]

Originally Posted by Sassy Squatch

Didn't watch them so maybe he did just loaf for weeks at a time, but that could be just as indicative of incredibly poor offensive coaching.

Ridley is not a focal like Pittman where they just run the offense through him.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Sassy Squatch

Also to be fair, can't just hand wave away why he's only got 5 years on his career and is almost 30. Dude is kind of dumb.

Ultimately I'm not inclined to shit on the player - he could help here.

But not at $17+ million/season. It's just too much. And at his age, 'lack of miles' be damned, the wall could come at any time.

It's just more risk and at too high a cost than I'm willing to take on. There are better ROI's to be had even if it's just money used to retain players we have on the roster.

Some team that badly needs a veteran WR1 will make a move for him. Or that has a QB on a rookie deal and wants to do what Veach did when he brought in Watkins (say, Chicago, who could pair him up with Moore for Williams).

There are teams that can pay him more than we should.

[ForeverIowan]

If MVS walks there is going to be another burner (and likely a veteran) signed. I can gaurantee that. The offense necissitates that. Cant have Rashee Rice, Justin Watson and say Michael Pittman a bunch of 4.5 forty at best guys. That isnt striking fear into any secondaries.

[MAHOMO 4 LIFE!]

Originally Posted by ForeverIowan

If MVS walks there is going to be another burner (and likely a veteran) signed. I can gaurantee that. The offense necissitates that. Cant have Rashee Rice, Justin Watson and say Michael Pittman a bunch of 4.5 forty at best guys. That isnt striking fear into any secondaries.

That’s why you bring back NBA ALL STAR Mecole Hardman!!

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by ForeverIowan

If MVS walks there is going to be another burner (and likely a veteran) signed. I can gaurantee that. The offense necissitates that. Cant have Rashee Rice, Justin Watson and say Michael Pittman a bunch of 4.5 forty at best guys. That isnt striking fear into any secondaries.

It would be awfully nice if you could get a quasi-burner as the Z and then retain Hardman as more of a vert/crosser guy.

Which is why I'm intrigued by the Mooney/Davis/Samuel far more than many of the other options being mentioned. And why I suspect a lot of people like the idea of Ridley and Hollywood. I just can't get over their likely cost.

[ForeverIowan]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

It would be awfully nice if you could get a quasi-burner as the Z and then retain Hardman as more of a vert/crosser guy.

Which is why I'm intrigued by the Mooney/Davis/Samuel far more than many of the other options being mentioned. And why I suspect a lot of people like the idea of Ridley and Hollywood. I just can't get over their likely cost.

I love Hardman always will and I know he caught a bomb im the SB but Im done using him in downfield passing game. That dudes ball tracking ability is just a joke. Im all for keeping him around in the right role however for dirt cheap. Mecole's best traits are gadget plays and short crossing routes and let him use his speed.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by ForeverIowan

I love Hardman always will and I know he caught a bomb im the SB but Im done using him in downfield passing game. That dudes ball tracking ability is just a joke. Im all for keeping him around in the right role however.

He's definitely better on deep crossers than he is on the throw up over his head. MVS sucks something awful at that as well.

Hell, Hill wasn't great at it - he had a tendency to do the jump/turn thing to grab those.

It's funny - my old man was teaching me to do that when I was 7 so that's something I'm still oddly good at (for a normie, of course) but it does seem like that's really something innate. You'd think guys could learn it over time but it doesn't seem like it.

Guys can do it or they can't.

[O.city]

Of all the guys available at wr, Hollywood is about the only one that has the actual skill set where the juice would be worth the squeeze

I also think he slots in more 14 mil per than 18+

[O.city]

Like if I could get him at 3 for 45 and guarantee 30 of it I think I’m ok

[RunKC]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Ultimately I'm not inclined to shit on the player - he could help here.

But not at $17+ million/season. It's just too much. And at his age, 'lack of miles' be damned, the wall could come at any time.

It's just more risk and at too high a cost than I'm willing to take on. There are better ROI's to be had even if it's just money used to retain players we have on the roster.

Some team that badly needs a veteran WR1 will make a move for him. Or that has a QB on a rookie deal and wants to do what Veach did when he brought in Watkins (say, Chicago, who could pair him up with Moore for Williams).

There are teams that can pay him more than we should.

Yeah I'm inclined to believe that we shouldn't be overpaying WR2's anymore. Kelce and Rice are the top dogs here. We will absolutely be drafting a WR in the top 50 or so picks somewhere, so why should we overspend on a WR in FA when that player will likely get around 80 or so targets max?

Get your stud in the draft. It's a great year to accomplish that

[ForeverIowan]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

He's definitely better on deep crossers than he is on the throw up over his head. MVS sucks something awful at that as well.

Hell, Hill wasn't great at it - he had a tendency to do the jump/turn thing to grab those.

It's funny - my old man was teaching me to do that when I was 7 so that's something I'm still oddly good at (for a normie, of course) but it does seem like that's really something innate. You'd think guys could learn it over time but it doesn't seem like it.

Guys can do it or they can't.

Get a couple serious threats in the vertical passing game with elite ball tracking ability and this offense will take off. Kelce and Rice become absolute nightmares to deal with. Id guess a rookie (my pick would be Worthy around pick 50 and a wave two veteran in FA looking to win a ring. Hollywood would be perfect if they are looking to spend that kind of money.
Will see where the chips fall with Jones/Sneed ).