Kansas City’s successful 2022 draft class is set to cost a bit more.
As we begin to look at estimates for the Kansas City Chiefs’ 2025 salary cap, figures for three members of the team’s vaunted 2022 draft class stand out.
Heading into the final seasons of their rookie contracts, linebacker Leo Chenal, cornerback Jaylen Watson and cornerback Joshua Williams will each earn base salaries of $3.2 million. (For reference, running back Isiah Pacheco will earn a base salary of only $1.1 million — the minimum for players with three accrued seasons — even though he went only eight selections after Watson).
The discrepancy in their earnings — and Year 4 salary-cap hits — are the mandatory raises they receive under the NFL’s Proven Performance Escalator for rookie contracts.
Begun in 2018, this program is designed to eliminate a previously existing loophole: drafted players who outperform expectations are at a disadvantage relative to undrafted free agents who could negotiate new contracts earlier in their careers. All players drafted after the first round are eligible. The extra money players can earn is based on the cost to tender a restricted free agent (RFA).
Three years ago, the Chiefs selected Chenal in the third round (103rd overall). Then on Day 3, Kansas City found Williams in the fourth round (135th overall) and Watson in the seventh (243rd overall). Players selected after the second round can qualify for a Level 1 pay raise by playing at least 35% of a team’s offensive or defensive snaps in two of their first three seasons. (For second-round draft picks — such as safety Bryan Cook — that threshold is 60%).
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images
The $3.2 million base salary is based on the cost of an original round tender to a restricted free agent. Linebacker Nick Bolton, tight end Noah Gray and guard Trey Smith all qualified for Level 1 escalators in 2024. By being named to a Pro Bowl during his rookie contract, center Creed Humphrey qualified for a Level 3 escalator. In 2025, the base salary for that level is $5.2 million, which is the same as a second-round restricted free-agent tender. (No Kansas City players qualified for a Level 3 escalator for 2025).
Ultimately, Humphrey’s raise was rolled into his eventual position-topping extension. Gray’s contract extension was announced just as the Chiefs were preparing to face the Baltimore Ravens in the season opener.
The Chiefs probably aren’t concerned about the raises for Chenal and Watson, who should both enter the season as defensive starters. Replacing them with comparable players in free agency would likely cost much more than their augmented fourth-year base salaries. Williams’ new figure, however, could eventually put the team in an awkward position.
After Watson returned from injury at the end of the regular season, Williams did not record a defensive snap in any of Kansas City’s three playoff games. Injuries played a significant role in Williams even making the snap-count requirements. Watson also missed much of last season, while Trent McDuffie was out for much of the 2022 campaign.
Although Kansas City is currently tight against the salary cap, other moves will likely make Williams’ salary a non-factor in offseason finances. Still, at his current salary, Williams will probably have to clear a pretty high bar to stay on the roster after camp. Even if the team can navigate that issue, it will be less eager to pay that much for a player limited to special teams.
Just as with Humphrey and Gray a year ago, do not be surprised if these increased base salaries become springboards for extensions if the Chiefs want to keep any of these players past 2025.
Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images
Looking at the 2023 draft, third-round offensive lineman Wanya Morris should have already qualified for a 2026 raise after starting 15 games over his first two seasons. Fourth-round defensive back Chamarri Conner played 53% of the team’s defensive snaps in 2024. If he remains healthy in 2025, he’ll probably also secure extra money for 2026.
Wide receiver Rashee Rice barely missed the 60% snap count requirement for second-round picks in 2023 — and then missed most of his sophomore campaign due to injury. While he can no longer qualify based on playing time, he was on a Pro Bowl pace in his 2024 games. Should he pick up where he left off, he could also qualify for a 2026 increase.