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Free agent G/T Geoff Schwartz joins the Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs free agent signings continued on Friday. The Chiefs have agreed to a deal with free agent offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz, who is a former 2008 seventh round pick by the Carolina Panthers. Schwartz joins an offensive line whose future can't be determined until the Chiefs use the top pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Free agent offensive tackle / guard Geoff Schwartz reports via Twitter that he has joined the Kansas City Chiefs.

It was reported earlier this morning that the Chiefs were expected to sign him so this doesn't come as a surprise. He's a 2008 seventh round pick by the Panthers. He was a 16-game starter for the Panthers in 2010, but missed all of the 2011 season with a hip injury. He played as a reserve guard for the Vikings last season. As with many free agents signed after the first wave of free agency, it's a roll of the dice that you hope works out.

How do Schwartz and Stephenson factor in?

What position will he play? He has experience at right guard and right tackle. (See the Chiefs referred to him as a G/T.) The Chiefs have could use depth along guard -- Jon Asamoah and Jeff Allen would, in my best guess, be slated as the starters now -- and as you know after the Eric Winston release they have a need at right tackle. Then again, Donald Stephenson could factor in there. The Chiefs could send Schwartz and Stephenson out there to compete. Lots of options here but we won't have a solid direction of the offensive line group until the Chiefs use that top pick on April 25.

Does this affect the draft? Maybe you'd think Schwartz and Stephenson could compete at right tackle, filling that need for next season. But look at it this way: are the Chiefs going to base the No. 1 pick in the draft on a free agent offensive tackle signed to a one-year deal? That doesn't seem right. My answer would be that it does not affect the top pick.

Make sure you read this piece from the Daily Norseman on Schwartz. It's pretty encouraging.

More reading:

New Chief Mike DeVito explains the new defense

Chiefs send Reid, Dorsey and entire defensive staff to Oregon

The Sean Smith scouting report

New deal for Alex Smith? Maybe, maybe not

Matt Cassel to the Vikings

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