In less than a month, the NFL’s free agency period will open, and the Kansas City Chiefs should be looking into the pool of unrestricted free agents to strengthen the interior defensive line.
Through an underperforming 2025 season, the Chiefs lacked a reliable partner for defensive tackle Chris Jones, and the unit struggled to perform in big games.
This year’s free agent class is not star-studded, but there are plenty of players who can help Kansas City. Here are three that the Chiefs should target:
1. Roy Lopez
Lopez isn’t the biggest name on the market, but the journeyman veteran does possess a skillset that the Chiefs can utilize and would provide an upgrade to what made up the interior defensive line before.
Lopez does have the frame and strength to be a gap-stuffing one-technique in Kansas City’s defense, but he also possesses the quickness and explosion off the snap to generate the occasional pressure while rushing the passer.
Per Spotrac, Lopez is projected to make around $6.5 million annually on his next contract, and he would be an upgrade over Derrick Nnadi and Mike Pennel.
2. John Franklin-Myers
If the Chiefs wanted to take a bigger swing in free agency, the team could go after John Franklin-Myers.
Franklin-Myers has quietly been one of the more underrated interior pass rushers over the last couple of seasons, and he has had seven sacks in two straight years for the Denver Broncos.
A new contract could land him an average of $8 million per year, and while this could be a bit steep for the Chiefs, it would give them a capable veteran lining up next to Jones play after play, and would result in multiple one-on-one pass rush attempts for Franklin-Myers.
This would be an aggressive move for the Chiefs, but it would solve pass-rush issues and give the defense another difference maker inside.
3. Tim Settle
Chiefs fans might remember Settle for his soundbites before the Divisional round playoff matchup with the Houston Texans in the 2024 playoffs. While this could be a reason for the team to have him off the target list, Settle is a viable option for Kansas City’s defensive line.
Settle has not had an overwhelmingly productive career; last season he recorded only one sack, but he has been a quality player during his stints in with Houston, the Washington Commanders and Buffalo Bills.
Settle has a solid arsenal of pass-rush moves and has been stout against the run game throughout his entire career as well.
An affordable option, Settle projects to make around $4 million per season on his next contract, and this would be a wise investment for the Chiefs to look into.
The bottom line
While the Chiefs will likely not find a long-term solution for the defensive line through free agency, the front office can find players to help fill gaps for the next one to two seasons while drafted talent develops. The free agent class for defensive tackles is not as star-studded as years past, but there are quality players capable of making an impact and helping the team back to the top.