Chiefs’ 2022 Draft Class Faces Free Agency Crossroads - But the Bonds Run Deep
If you’ve been following the Kansas City Chiefs closely over the past few seasons, you know the 2022 draft class has quietly become one of the most impactful in recent memory. It wasn’t flashy at the time-no top-10 picks, no headline-grabbing trades-but it’s turned into a foundational group that’s helped power the Chiefs’ sustained success. Now, that group is approaching a turning point.
Several key players from that class are heading into potential free agency, and while they may not be Pro Bowl regulars or national names, they’ve been essential to what Kansas City has built. We’re talking about guys like Jaylen Watson, Bryan Cook, Leo Chenal, Joshua Williams, Isiah Pacheco, and Nazeeh Johnson-players who’ve grown together, battled together, and now face the reality that not all of them may be back in red and gold next season.
Jaylen Watson: A Breakout Talent with a Big Decision Ahead
Among the group, Jaylen Watson is the name to watch most closely. A seventh-round pick who turned heads with his play this season, Watson has emerged as a legitimate starting-caliber cornerback. He’s earned league-wide recognition-recently ranked as the 15th-best pending free agent-and he’s now in line for a well-deserved payday.
The Chiefs would love to keep him, but they’ll need to get creative with the cap to make it happen. Watson, for his part, isn’t hiding where his heart is.
“Those are my brothers for life,” Watson said of his 2022 draft classmates. “We’ve been through so much - just blood, sweat and tears and hard work together.
It’s gonna be tough, everyone going in their different paths. But I enjoyed the time we had together.”
As for Kansas City? It’s home.
“I would love to. I love Kansas City.
I love the fans,” Watson said. “I love everything about it, front office down to the players.
I would love to stay here.”
Joshua Williams: Development and Gratitude
While Watson has stepped into a larger role, fellow corner Joshua Williams has been more of a depth piece and rotational contributor. Still, his growth in Kansas City has been undeniable, and his appreciation for the organization runs deep.
“It’s so valuable, not just as a football player, but as a growing man turned into an adult man,” Williams said. “I did a lot of growing here in Kansas City.
The city has been great for me. It was a great place to get drafted.
They developed me well, and I’m gonna cherish so much since being here.”
Williams’ journey might not make headlines, but it’s a reminder of how much goes on behind the scenes in building a championship culture. His role might be more subtle, but it’s no less important to the locker room and the team’s overall depth.
The Rest of the Class: Uncertainty Ahead
The rest of the 2022 draft class-Bryan Cook, Leo Chenal, Isiah Pacheco, and Nazeeh Johnson-each face their own version of the same question: What comes next?
Cook has shown flashes at safety but battled injuries. Chenal has been a physical presence in the linebacker room, bringing toughness and energy. Johnson and Pacheco, both seventh-rounders, have carved out roles in different ways-Pacheco especially, who’s become a fan favorite with his hard-nosed running style.
But the NFL is a business, and as much as the Chiefs would love to keep this group intact, it’s rarely that simple. Cap space, roster needs, and the natural churn of the league all come into play. For Kansas City, this offseason brings a level of uncertainty it hasn’t faced in a while-not because of a lack of talent, but because of how much talent they’ve developed from within.
What This Means for the Chiefs
This isn’t just about contracts and cap numbers. It’s about identity.
This 2022 draft class helped the Chiefs bridge the gap between championship eras. They provided depth, energy, and in some cases, starting-level impact.
They were part of the glue that held things together through injuries, roster turnover, and the grind of long playoff runs.
Now, the front office will have to make tough calls. Who do you prioritize?
Who can you afford to let walk? And how do you keep the core of this team intact while continuing to evolve?
These aren’t easy questions, but they’re the kind of questions that come when you draft well-and when your young players grow up fast.
Final Thoughts
The 2022 draft class may not have been the most hyped, but it’s been one of the most meaningful for the Chiefs in recent memory. As these players face free agency, it’s clear they’ve left a mark-not just on the field, but in the locker room and the culture of the team.
Whether or not all of them return, their impact in Kansas City is already written into the franchise’s story. And for a team that’s chasing sustained greatness, that kind of legacy matters just as much as the next contract.