The first surprising cut is out and it’s Cleveland Browns outside linebacker Paul Kruger. The Browns announced he was among their cuts. He was three years into a five-year contract that was set to pay him $40 million.
Our pal Craig thinks KC should take a look:
Yeah, I tend to stray away from picking up players from bad teams, but I'd kick the tires on Paul Kruger with KC's lack of depth at OLB.
— William Le Petomane (@barleyhop) August 29, 2016
The Chiefs obviously have some depth issues at outside linebacker with Justin Houston out and Tamba Hali on the older side. The Chiefs pass rush hasn’t been the same so far in the preseason. Sure, it’s just preseason but you can’t tell me this doesn’t doesn’t need pass rush help with Houston out.
Paul Kruger had an 11.6 pass rushing productivity which was 11th best for 3-4 OLBs last year. His 54 total pressures was 12th best
— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) August 29, 2016
The problem is probably cap space. Kruger is an established veteran pass rusher and these guys don’t last long. Look at Tamba Hali who just signed a $7 million per year deal at 32 years old. These guys have value and the Chiefs have little money - about $3 million in cap space, according to the NFLPA.
Also:
From 2005-07 Paul Kruger served an LDS church mission a few miles away from .... Arrowhead https://t.co/LeILf8lS1J
— Arrowhead Pride (@ArrowheadPride) August 29, 2016
So while I would be interested in kicking the tires here, it seems like his market would be too big for KC.
Update: Here’s his goodbye to the Browns. Obviously he disagreed with their decision.
— Paul Kruger (@pkruger99) August 29, 2016