NFL free agency: One player each team should sign in 2019

Kansas City Chiefs: S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

The Kansas City Chiefs have become accustomed to taking the field without safety Eric Berry, who’s missed the last 25 games with an Achilles’ injury. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (h/t Arrowhead Pride), he’s battling Haglund’s deformity, which occurs when a bone spur digs into the tendon.

According to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, there’s confidence that Berry will return to the field this year, but the defect in his heel may cause lingering issues for the three-time All-Pro safety. The Chiefs selected Armani Watts in the fourth round of this year’s draft to bolster the position; he landed on injured reserve with a groin issue.

The Chiefs can take a proactive approach in strengthening the secondary with another Pro Bowl safety capable of playing closer to the line of scrimmage or reading the quarterback’s eyes in deep coverage.

The Green Bay Packers traded Clinton-Dix to the Washington Redskins, but his rookie deal will expire at the end of the season. If he doesn’t re-sign, the 25-year-old would ideally fit with Berry to form arguably the best safety tandem in the league or serve as a potential replacement for him if necessary.

Defensive coordinator Bob Sutton would also have the option to use a three-safety look with Berry, Clinton-Dix and Watts.

More importantly, the pass defense would have another defensive back, who could defend the seam and chase down running backs catching passes out of the backfield. In five seasons, Clinton-Dix has shown his skills as a clean tackler (320 solo) and reliable cover defender with 26 pass breakups and 14 interceptions.