For the Kansas City Chiefs, the foundation of building a championship football team is to do it through the draft. That's been the motto of general manager John Dorsey since he arrived in Kansas City two years ago.
But that doesn't mean the Chiefs won't use free agency as a way to build their roster.
They have done that and will continue to do so to not only add players to a team that just had back-to-back winning seasons for the second time in two decades, but to help replenish a roster that has players who will hit free agency themselves.
The NFL's new league year won't begin until March 10. That's the first date that players who are free agents can sign with another team.
The only exception is players who weren't under contract at the end of the past season, and those players can be signed to reserve or futures contracts, in which the Chiefs have signed 19 players so far this offseason.
For players who are set to become unrestricted free agents across the NFL, there are a few marquee players who will be making headlines as we get closer to the start of the new league year.
WR Randall Cobb
While things can change, the number of standout receivers currently scheduled to become available in free agency this offseason is staggering.
You're talking players like the Dallas Cowboys' Dez Bryant, the Denver Broncos' Demaryius Thomas, the Philadelphia Eagles' Jeremy Maclin, the San Francisco 49ers' Michael Crabtree, the Green Bay Packers' Randall Cobb and the Baltimore Ravens' Torrey Smith.
Of that group, four finished in the top 11 in the NFL in receiving last season (Thomas, Bryant, Maclin, Cobb).
Cobb finished the 2014 season for the Packers with career highs in receptions (91), targets (126), yards (1,287) and touchdowns (12). His 618 yards after the catch ranked fourth in the NFL among receivers.
Maclin also had a career year for the Eagles with 85 receptions for 1,318 yards and 10 touchdowns, also excelling in yards after the catch, ranking seventh with 522.
In 2014, the Chiefs finished No. 15 in the NFL in yards after the catch with 2,021.
The NFL's 2015 free agent class.
Buffalo Bills middle linebacker Brandon Spikes takes the field before an NFL football game against the New England Patriots Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Foxborough, Mass.
Green Bay Packers tackle Bryan Bulaga (75) is seen in action during an NFC Championship playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015 at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, WA.
Cincinnati Bengals guard Clint Boling walks on the sidelines during an NFL preseason football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Cincinnati.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) beats Baltimore Ravens cornerback Corey Graham (24) for a pass during the NFL Super Bowl XLVII football game on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013 in New Orleans. The Ravens won the game 34-31.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) catches a 63-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Peyton Manning past Oakland Raiders defensive back Phillip Adams (28) during the second quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, in Oakland, Calif. With this score, the Broncos surpassed the 2007 New England Patriots for the most points scored in a season.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne, bottom, attempts to tackle New England Patriots free safety Devin McCourty after McCourty intercepted a pass from Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck during the first half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014.
Dallas Cowboys tackle Doug Free (68) is seen in action during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, December 14, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Cowboys won 38-27.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) comes down with a touchdown-reception as Detroit Lions cornerback Chris Houston (23) defends in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 21, 2010, in Arlington.
Denver Broncos safety Duke Ihenacho (33) looks on from the sidelines during the AFC Championship Football game against the New England Patriots in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, January 19, 2014. The Broncos defeated the Patriots 26-16.
Seattle Seahawks guard James Carpenter (77) blocks Green Bay Packers defensive end Mike Daniels (76) during the NFL week 20 NFC Championship football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015 in Seattle. The Seahawks won the game 28-22 in overtime.
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin (18) scores a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 26, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz.
St. Louis Rams offensive lineman Joe Barksdale (72) pass blocks during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014, in Santa Clara, Ca. The Rams won the game, 20-13.
Miami Dolphins free safety Louis Delmas (25) high steps as his dreadlocks fly in the air while celebrating after winning the NFL week 1 regular season football game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014 in Miami Gardens, Fla. The Dolphins won the game 33-20.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Mason Foster (59) during an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Florida.
San Francisco 49ers offensive guard Mike Iupati (77) in action against the New York Giants at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey November 16, 2014.
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) stops Miami Dolphins running back Lamar Miller (26) during the first half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 9, 2014.
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley (98) sacks New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) in the end zone for a safety during the third quarter of an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013.
Denver Broncos tackle Orlando Franklin (74) during an NFL preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2014 in Denver. The Broncos won the game, 21-16.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) runs the ball for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on Sunday, December 28, 2014 in Green Bay, WI. The Packers won 30-20.
Cincinnati Bengals middle linebacker Rey Maualuga (58) celebrates with fans after a 30-0 win over the Cleveland Browns in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, in Cleveland.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) is sacked by Denver Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Knighton during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2014, in Denver.
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) catches the football during the Super Bowl XLVII game against the San Francisco 49ers in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 27, 2013. The Ravens defeated the 49ers 34-31.
Green Bay Packers' Tramon Williams (38) breaks up a pass intended for Seattle Seahawks' Jermaine Kearse during the second half of the NFC championship NFL football game in Seattle.
It's hard to believe that at least a few of these receivers won't re-sign with their own teams, but as we stand right now, the group looks to be pretty impressive.
Along the defensive line, there are a few names you will continue to hear much about as we move through the offseason.
According to NFL.com, the Detroit Lions' Ndamukong Suh is one of the top free agent defensive linemen available, along with the New York Giants' Jason Pierre-Paul. The Chiefs' Justin Houston is also listed as one of their top 10 free agents scheduled to hit the market.
Suh has missed just two regular season games in his five-year career thus far and finished the 2014 campaign with 53 tackles and 8.5 sacks.
Along the offensive line, the 49ers' Mike Iupati, the Broncos' Orlando Franklin and the Cincinnati Bengals' Clint Boling are a few names that should get some attention as well.
Each of those players finished the season in the top 20 of Pro Football Focus’ grading scale for guards (Franklin – 13, Iupati – 14, Boling – 19).
Another offensive lineman scheduled to hit free agency is former Packers' first-round pick and starting right tackle, Bryan Bulaga, who ranked fourth in the NFL according to PFF.
The Chiefs have three starting offensive linemen that are scheduled to become free agents on March 10—center Rodney Hudson, left guard Mike McGlynn and right tackle Ryan Harris, as well as backup Jeff Linkenbach, who is also scheduled to hit free agency.
The Chiefs have a lot of decisions to make with not only their own free agents, but also whom they might want to target if any of these other guys do become available when the free agency period begins.
In any case, we'll have you covered at KCChiefs.com with anything official that happens as Dorsey and company builds towards 2015.
