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The Kansas City Chiefs could be losing at least five starters to free agency. Not one is a cap casualty, just players with expiring contracts. While that's good news when it comes to compensatory picks in the 2015 NFL Draft, it's not so good news for the 2014 Chiefs.
From what I gather, the Chiefs are currently looking at filling four starting positions and five if you count Dexter McCluster in the slot. In addition to that, the Chiefs are set to lose their top kick and punt returner. So that's seven positions that could see a significant change.
Not included on this list is offensive tackle. Even though the Chiefs are losing Branden Albert, they have replacements in house in Eric Fisher and Donald Stephenson. There is less certainty in the rest of these positions below...
Free safety
Free agent: Kendrick Lewis
In-house: Sanders Commings
If the Chiefs did nothing, 2013 fifth round pick Sanders Commings would appear to be the one taking this spot. It seems likely the Chiefs will address this in free agency or the NFL Draft.
Offensive guard
Free agent: Geoff Schwartz, Jon Asamoah
In-house: Rishaw Johnson, Rok Watkins
Both Schwartz and Asamoah are expected to leave, according to reports. If the Chiefs did nothing, they would be left with two unknowns. We don't know much about Johnson and Watkins. It would also be extremely annoying if the Chiefs lost two starting-caliber guards in free agency and then had to sign an outsider. Starting guards (such as Asamoah) can be found in the middle rounds of the draft.
Slot receiver
Free agent: Dexter McCluster
In-house: Weston Dressler
Maybe Junior Hemingway or AJ Jenkins get a look there as well. The Chiefs already commit a lot of money to receivers but they could end up drafting one.
Defensive end
Free agent: Tyson Jackson
In-house: Allen Bailey, Mike Catapano
Tyson Jackson is talking with the Chiefs and other teams. No decision on his future. Bailey and Catapano strike me as rotational players. The Chiefs paid Jackson $4 million last year and gave Mike DeVito a multi-year deal, so they invested in the position last year.
Inside linebacker
Free agent: Akeem Jordan
In-house: Nico Johnson
Is Nico Johnson ready? For a fourth round pick, we know little about him. Jordan could also come back but is said to have multiple suitors in free agency.
Kick returner
Free agent: Quintin Demps
In-house: Knile Davis, Joe McKnight
Davis was returning kicks on a part-time basis last year and had some big returns. McKnight has 30-plus returns in each of the last two seasons. The Chiefs could bring someone else in to split duties with him since McKnight isn't a lock to make the team.
Punt returner
Free agent: Dexter McCluster
In-house: Weston Dressler
Dressler is supposed to be a good return guy. McKnight hasn't returned a punt since 2011. In Dave Toub Chiefs fans trust?