Pro Bowl RB Saquon Barkley headlines potential Chiefs free-agent targets

Free agency begins March 15 at 4 p.m. ET.

Positional needs for Chiefs: WR, S, RB

The Chiefs have made five consecutive conference championship appearances. However, 2023 will be a test because core players are free agents, including WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, RB Jerrick McKinnon and safety Juan Thornhill. Kansas City must reload its roster. Per OverTheCap, it has $14.2 million in cap space, enough for upgrades. 

Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants

The offense is high-powered, but adding Barkley would supercharge it. In 16 regular-season games in 2022, he rushed for a career-high 1,312 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. He also fits the Chiefs' scheme because he's a solid receiver, tallying 50 or more receptions in three of his five seasons. 

Kansas City would have to make cost-saving moves if it wanted to sign Barkley because he wants a multi-year deal worth $16M per year, according to Fox Sports Ralph Vacchiano. 

Imagine pairing him with QB Patrick Mahomes. 

Darius Slayton, WR, New York Giants

Signing Slayton would fill the hole created by a Smith-Schuster departure. Slayton is a field-stretcher, something Kansas City likes. In 2022, he averaged 15.7 yards per reception over 16 games, sixth in the league.

Unlike Kansas City's passing attack, the Giants' passing offense is near the bottom of the league, ranking 26th. Slayton may break out in a better system and give Mahomes another reliable target. 

Additionally, he could be a steal because the 25-year-old is relatively inexpensive. His market value is a two-year deal worth $3.5M annually, per Spotrac.

Jessie Bates III, S, Cincinnati Bengals

Kansas City's secondary may cost it another Super Bowl title. It can't seem to stop Bengals QB Joe Burrow, who beat Kansas City in the 2022 AFC Championship and is 3-0 against the Chiefs. 

Bates III is a former second-team All-Pro who had four interceptions in 16 regular-season games in 2022, tied for 11th in the league. He is Pro Football Focus' fifth-best free agent.