NFL free agency is off and running, and we're keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2020 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from Bill Barnwell. The new league year begins March 18 at 4 p.m. ET, which means free-agent signings can be made official after that. The first round of the 2020 NFL draft begins April 23.
Here's a breakdown of every 2020 NFL free-agent signing by the Kansas City Chiefs, and how each will impact the upcoming season:
Demarcus Robinson, wide receiver
The Chiefs are re-signing wide receiver DeMarcus Robinson to a one-year contract, a source confirmed to ESPN.
What it means: Re-signing Robinson means the Chiefs have all four of their top wide receivers from last season under contract for 2020. The Chiefs -- for now at least -- are holding on to Sammy Watkins, who is costing them $21 million against their salary cap. If they keep Watkins, the Chiefs won't have to draft a wide receiver. The two other top wide receivers are Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman.
What's the risk: Very little. Robinson is on a one-year contract, so the Chiefs can release him if they don't like his production. There wouldn't seem to be much chance of that happening, not with Robinson motivated to play well to get the bigger free-agent contract he didn't get this season. Robinson also knows the offensive system and quarterback Patrick Mahomes well, so there's no question how he will fit in.
Mike Remmers, offensive tackle
The Chiefs added a veteran presence to their line in acquiring Remmers.
What it means: This gives the Chiefs some versatility for their offensive line. Remmer has played plenty at both tackle and guard in his eight-year career, five as a starter, with the Bucs, Chargers, Rams, Panthers, Vikings and Giants. One of last season's veteran backups, Stefen Wisniewski, signed with the Steelers while another, Cam Erving, was released.
What's the risk: This signing covers a lot of ground. Remmers could wind up starting at left guard -- if not, he will likely be their top reserve at four of the five offensive line positions, center being the exception. So there's little downside to his addition. If anything, Remmers' addition frees the Chiefs from having to look for offensive line help in the draft.
Antonio Hamilton, cornerback
The Chiefs added depth to their defensive backfield in acquiring Antonio Hamilton.
What it means: It's unlikely Hamilton, 27, will occupy a prominent spot on the depth chart, at least immediately. He started two NFL games in four seasons with the Raiders and the Giants. But he's an intriguing prospect and he plays a position where the Chiefs can use some bodies. One starting cornerback, Bashaud Breeland, is an unrestricted free agent while another defensive back, Kendall Fuller, signed with Washington.
What's the risk: There's far more reward than risk. The Chiefs have little to lose by evaluating Hamilton in their system in training camp. They were rewarded two years ago when they traded for an unheralded cornerback by the name of Charvarius Ward. But the Chiefs got Ward into their system, coached him up and he became a solid starter on a Super Bowl-winning team. Even if Hamilton is nothing more than a solid special teams player for the Chiefs, this is a good signing.
Chad Henne, quarterback
What it means: The Chiefs needed to re-sign one of their veteran backups to Patrick Mahomes and opted for Henne, according to a source. They picked him over Matt Moore, who started two games in the absence of an injured Mahomes last season. Moore was an emergency replacement for Henne, who injured his ankle during the preseason and was on injured reserve most of the season. He hasn't played in a regular-season game since 2018, when he joined the Chiefs.The Chiefs also have a developmental prospect at quarterback in Kyle Shurmur, so they appear set at the position other than adding another young player for training camp.
What's the risk: Not much. Henne has the experience the Chiefs need in a backup for Mahomes. Henne hasn't started a game since 2014, when he was with the Jaguars so he might be rusty if he has to go into a game. But he's a veteran and it shouldn't take him long to get acclimated. The Chiefs could have gone for a backup with more upside, like Marcus Mariota, but that would likely have come at a greater cost and the Chiefs have more pressing needs and better places to spend their money.
Chiefs place franchise tag on Chris Jones
Franchise tag salary: $16.126 million
Seasons: Four
Career highlights: Defensive tackle Chris Jones led the Chiefs in sacks in each of the past two seasons with 15.5 in 2018 and 9.0 last year.
Why he was tagged: The sides couldn't agree on the terms of a multiyear contract and Jones is too productive for the Chiefs to let him walk without receiving some compensation. Jones could attract a trade offer from one or more teams that not only want a player of Jones' caliber but are also in better financial position than the Chiefs to meet his salary demands. The Chiefs know how such trades work. They participated in two trades involving franchise players last season, acquiring Frank Clark from the Seahawks and sending Dee Ford to the 49ers.
What he brings: Few players have Jones' ability as an inside pass-rusher. Jones is a remarkably consistent player. In 2018, he set an NFL record with at least one sack in 11 straight games. He had a big game in Super Bowl LIV against the 49ers. He knocked down three of Jimmy Garoppolo's passes and also got pressure on Garoppolo that led to a second-quarter interception. Jones and Clark make for a nice pass-rush combination that the Chiefs would rather not break up. Jones can also be disruptive in the run game.
Ricky Seals-Jones, TE
The Chiefs signed the veteran tight end to a one-year deal.
What it means: The Chiefs have a veteran backup for Travis Kelce. They lost that player from last year when Blake Bell signed with the Cowboys. The Chiefs favored their multiple tight end formations in their earlier seasons with Andy Reid but have gone away from them to some extent because they are so deep and so much more explosive at wide receiver. But Seals-Jones will get some playing time. The Chiefs may opt to draft a tight end as well but now it's not a necessity, particularly considering they have a couple of younger, developmental prospects at the position.
What's the risk: Little. Seals-Jones is on a one-year contract so the Chiefs can get out of it with little damage.
DeAndre Washington, RB
The Chiefs are bringing in the former Oakland Raiders running back on a one-year deal.
What it means: The Chiefs now have a veteran backup for starting running back Damien Williams. The Chiefs were short in that department with LeSean McCoy and Spencer Ware being unrestricted free agents. The Chiefs also have Darrel Williams and Darwin Thompson under contract but neither player had a major role last season. The Chiefs could still take a running back in the upcoming draft but no longer have a big need.
What's the risk: Little. Washington is on a one-year contract so the Chiefs can get out from under the deal without much financial harm.
Bashaud Breeland, CB
Cornerback Bashaud Breeland returns to the Chiefs on a one-year deal.
What it means: The Chiefs can line up and play a game now with the re-signing of one of last season's starting cornerbacks, though they need more depth at the position. Breeland and Charvarius Ward can start and Rashad Fenton can be the nickel. The Chiefs can address depth at cornerback in the draft or afterward with a veteran who might be available or who is released by his team. Breeland played well in his only season for the Chiefs in 2019. He had an interception in Super Bowl LIV.
What's the risk: With Breeland on a one-year contract, there's little downside to the move. He should be motivated to play well next season and earn the richer, longer-term contract he wanted this time around. Even if he doesn't play well, it would be hard to look back on this move as a mistake. Breeland is only 28 and he played in every game last season, so his durability issues seem to be in the past.