https://archive.is/vF2m7#selection-16857.0-16897.6
2. Chris Jones, DT, Kansas City Chiefs
2023 salary: $18.4 million
Age entering 2024 season: 30
Why he could get paid: With 5.5 sacks this season and the versatility to align off the edge -- where his pass rush win rate jumps from 14.7% to 25.0% -- Jones is still a game-wrecking talent on the defensive front. The eight-year veteran is a true disruptor, with 70.5 sacks, 12 forced fumbles and 25 pass breakups over his career. -- Bowen
What we're hearing: After talking to several people around the league about Jones, the feeling is he could flirt with the $30 million-per-year threshold on a new deal. He's the closest thing to Aaron Donald and has prime years left, turning 30 in July. The Chiefs likely can't afford to tag Jones; that would be worth 120% of his current $26.8 million cap hit, which works out to be more than $32 million. -- Fowler
7. L'Jarius Sneed, CB, Kansas City Chiefs
2023 salary: $2.7 million
Age entering 2024 season: 27
Why he could get paid: Sneed has the traits to match up on the perimeter or play a disruptive role as a slot defender, with one interception and four pass breakups in nine games this season. He is a scheme-versatile corner who can fit in both man and zone systems. Over a four-year career, Sneed has nine picks and 6.5 sacks. -- Bowen
What we're hearing: Sneed's do-it-all style will translate well to free agency, with the ability to play press coverage on the outside or be physical in the slot. Kansas City would like to keep Sneed and has had preliminary contract talks with him, but right now both sides appear focused on the current season. Talks could reignite after it ends, and if they go nowhere, Sneed is a franchise tag or free agency candidate. Enough contending teams were looking for a corner at the trade deadline -- including Buffalo, San Francisco, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh -- that the market will be viable for him. -- Fowler