Kansas City Chiefs top-5 free agents heading in 2023 offseason

Kansas City Chiefs top-5 free agents in 2023

By Randy Gurzi | Feb 12, 2023

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 12: JuJu Smith-Schuster #9 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts after a play against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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Kansas City Chiefs, Orlando Brown. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

1. Orlando Brown, Jr., LT

In need of a new left tackle, the Chiefs made a bold move in 2021 to bring in Orlando Brown, Jr. A former third-round pick for the Baltimore Ravens, Brown proved his worth when Ronnie Stanley was injured and had no intention of returning to the right side when he was back.

This led to Baltimore sending him, a second-round pick, and a sixth-rounder to the Chiefs for pick No. 31 in 2021 as well as a third and fourth-rounder.

Brown finished out his rookie contract with the Chiefs but then the two sides were unable to come to terms on a long-term extension. This led to Kansas City using the franchise tag to keep him in town for at least one more season.

The tag paid him $16.7 million this year and Brown continued to play well on the left side. He was the 18th highest-rated tackle in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus and that should lead to him again looking to break the bank.

Out of everyone hitting free agency this year, Brown is the most important for Kansas City. They have an elite quarterback in Patrick Mahomes but we all saw in their loss to Tampa Bay during the Super Bowl following the 2020 season, poor protection can even slow him down.

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