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My long-winded thoughts...
Here's a look at the roster and where guys will be at in the 2021 offseason in terms of years remaining (1 being last year of deal for 2021 season)...
QB1 Patrick Mahomes (presumable 4+)
QB2 Chad Henne (1)
QB3 Jordan Ta'amu (1, ERFA deal would make it 2) - solid shot a 3rd is carried with roster expansion
QB is a non-issue. 2nd and 3rd QBs are available every year and in the draft in the mid-rounds.
RB1 Clyde Edwards-Helaire (4)
RB2 ?
RB3 ?
RB4 Darwin Thompson (2) - If he makes the team
RB is a non-issue. 2nd and 3rd RBs are always cheap and available, even UDFAs. RB Darrell Williams is possible to bring back on RFA deal, depends on what he is in 2020.
FB is not much of a concern. I think it's a foregone conclusion KC moves on from Sherman by then, but a low cost option will be around.
WR1 Tyreek Hill (2)
WR2 ?
WRS Mecole Hardman (2)
WR4 Byron Pringle (RFA deal) - I think it's likely they'll retain Pringle with an RFA deal simply due to the numbers game.
WR5 ?
WR6 ?
WR is an obvious problem, especially if an UDFA like Lipscomb doesn't work out and give you a couple extra cheap years.
TE1 Travis Kelce (1)
TE2 ?
TE3 ?
TE is something I think KC will need to address next draft. They need a longer-term option behind Kelce. Even if, and I'm sure they do, extend Kelce a few more seasons, he may start becoming more injury plagued much like Gronk became. They need something there. It's possible for KC to bring back TE Deon Yelder on a RFA deal if he pans out in 2020 but I won't hold my breath.
LT Eric Fisher (1)
LG Martinas Rankin (1) - At age 25, if he's working out, he'll get extended.
OC Nick Allegretti/OG (2)
RG Lucas Niang/OT (3)
RT Mitchell Schwartz (1) - Probably drafted Niang as his successor
OG Andrew Wylie (RFA deal) - I think it's likely they'll retain Wylie with an RFA deal simply due to the numbers game.
OT Jackson Barton (ERFA deal) - They kept him around so we'll see what transpires, but he's cheap and KC could need bodies.
OT will certainly be something to think about, although I think Fisher gets extended a couple years and Niang takes over at RT for Schwartz.
IOL I'm kind of penciling guys in here and will probably continue to be mostly the plug and play it's been with low-key dumpster diving. However, now that LDT has a void year, I'd guess at least one mid-round pick goes here.
DE1 Frank Clark (3)
DE2 Alex Okafor (1)
DE3 Breeland Speaks (1, RFA candidate to make it 2) - Is he a DE or DT or potential fail?
DE4 Mike Danna (3) - If he can make the team
DE5 Demone Harris (ERFA deal) - Veach tends to give guys a shot on ERFA deals if they've been contributors
DE will be a need if Danna doesn't work out (and I don't assume he will). Is Tanoh worth bringing back? Okafor has never been much more than a marginal base end and Speaks is nothing at this point.
DT1 Chris Jones (assumption of long-term deal)
DT2 Derrick Nnadi (1)
DT3 Khalen Saunders (2)
DT4 ?
DT is a position, depending on Jones, that could use more depth or a starter. We'll see. Also, will Veach extend Nnadi? He's a hell of a plug in there so I'd lean towards yes but if not it creates a huge void for 2022.
SLB ?
MLB Anthony Hitchens (2) - Should be replaced but....
WLB Willie Gay (3)
LB4 Dorian O'Daniel (1) - Not good, could get cut either way
LB5 ?
SLB will definitely be something KC needs to address in the next draft if they aren't intent on extending Wilson, but I'd be all in on brining back Wilson for a couple more years. There is not depth and Hitchens should be replaced. Need more here. They could bring back Niemann on a RFA deal but that's too much for him.
CB1 Charvarius Ward (RFA deal, certainly, but will he get extension off of it)
CB2 L'Jarius Sneed (3) - lofty expectations
CBS Rashad Fenton (2)
CB4 Thakarius Keyes (3) - If he can make the team
CB5 ?
CB has been a constant need through Veach's tenure that he's continued to apply band-aids to. I expect nothing more at this point. I'm expecting they retain Ward long-term, but you never know. It would certainly take the sting out of it. What will come of Sneed, Keyes, Hill, and Davis is yet to be determined but it's a nice class to mull over.
SS Tyrann Mathieu (1)
FS Juan Thornhill (2)
S3 Armani Watts (1)
S4 ?
S5 ?
Finding Mathieu's successor in the next draft would help, and they certainly need depth.
K Harrison Butker (4)
P Tommy Townsend (2) - Assuming he wins the job
LS James Winchester (1) - At age 32, probably will sign another deal
Right now, I'd consider priorities along the lines of:
1. LB
2. IOL
3. WR
4. DE
5. CB
6. TE
7. S
8. DT
9. RB
10. OT
The good is that KC should come away with 4th and 5th round comps next year and may get a pick for Mark Fields trade to Minnesota (unsure of conditions). Anyhow, KC is primed to likely have at least 8 draft picks and those extra mid rounders could secure some depth along the OL and at S.
In terms of cap, KC is penciled in with a guess of $34 million. Take $16 at least for Jones and I don't really think Patrick will cost the team "that much" more once he gets the long-term deal, so I'll guess $5 more. That leaves you at $13. Not much to get things done. You probably go after the bargain positions in FA, including a reserve S, reserve TE, reserve RB, FB, rotational DT and maybe a cheap CB like Veach goes after.
That probably puts your draft positions at IOL x 2, LB, DE, WR x 2, S, and a value pick defensively.
I dunno, that's my thoughts. I don't really think it's all that bad but I'm not about to expect much of a splash in FA either.
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