After the Chiefs cut WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling on Wednesday morning, these four Kansas City players could be the next ones up on the chopping block.

Chiefs S Justin Reid could be the next player on the chopping block. / Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Chiefs created some extra cap space on Wednesday by cutting wide receiver Marques Valdes-Scantling. Although the veteran pass-catcher was praised for scoring a touchdown at Super Bowl LVIII, his release was a necessary one as it freed up approximately $12 million in cap space.

The added cap relief was much-needed for the Chiefs, who now sit around $9.6 million above the 2024 salary cap, per Spotrac. Having said that, it’s still not enough space. After all, Kansas City has 19 unrestricted free agents it must address this offseason, including the likes of Chris Jones, L’Jarius Sneed, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

Valdes-Scantling’s release could be a sign of things to come, so let’s check out four more Chiefs who could find themselves on the chopping block sooner rather than later.

1. Justin Reid, S

If the Chiefs want to free up a ton of cash, moving on from Justin Reid is one of the quickest ways to do so.

The 27-year-old safety is entering the final year of a three-year, $31.5 million contract he signed back in 2022. He’s slated to carry a $14.2 million cap hit for the 2024 NFL season, however, Kansas City can save itself $10.7 million by waiving or cutting him at any point this offseason.

A former 2018 third-round pick by the Houston Texans, Reid hasn’t lived up to expectations since joining the Chiefs. Playing 33 games over the last two seasons, the Prairieville, LA native has surrendered 76 receptions on 120 targets (63.3%) for 771 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

Reid struggled to cover his men throughout the 2023 campaign, highlighted by a 52.8 coverage grade on Pro Football Focus — the 12th-worst grade among 94 qualified safeties. He was also the Chiefs’ fifth-worst graded defender at the Super Bowl (54.2) after allowing four receptions on as many targets for 38 yards.

The ex-Stanford Cardinal does have his solid moments now and then, but it’s clear that he isn’t close to being worth the $14 million cap space he takes up.

2. Kadarius Toney, WR

When the Chiefs acquired WR Kadarius Toney from the New York Giants in 2022, there was a hope that he could turn his career around in KC. After all, the former Florida Gator once had a 189-yard performance as a rookie, leaving the fanbase salivating at the thought of what he could do with Patrick Mahomes.

But instead of living up to his potential, Toney has left Chiefs fans wanting more. The 25-year-old was essentially a non-factor for the majority of the 2023 campaign, hauling in only 27 receptions for 169 yards and a touchdown across 13 games. He also yielded a 66.7 passer rating when targeted, meaning he essentially turned Mahomes into Bailey Zappe (68.8) whenever the former NFL MVP looked his way.

Injuries held Toney out of the Chiefs’ final three regular-season games and the first three of the preseason before being a healthy scratch at the Super Bowl. The fact that Kansas City didn’t see him as someone who could help win the second of back-to-back rings tells you everything you must know about his future.

Toney carries a $2.5 million cap hit heading into his fourth NFL campaign. Considering how the Chiefs picking up his fifth-year option is far from guaranteed, there’s a decent chance the team could attempt to move on soon. Although waiving him won’t save a dime, Kansas City can rid itself of his entire cap hit with a trade at any point.

With Mahomes needing more reliable receivers, it’s time to say goodbye to Toney.

3. Lucas Niang, OT

It also wouldn’t be surprising if the Chiefs opted to move on from offensive tackle Lucas Niang to generate more cap space.

Niang, drafted 96th overall in 2020, hasn’t lived up to his potential. After being named the starting right tackle in 2021, the 25-year-old blocker hasn’t started a single game across the last two seasons, playing 21 games during that stretch. The lack of starts isn’t surprising given how much he’s struggled on the gridiron.

Niang struggled to provide adequate protection in 2023, finishing with 48.4 run-block and 56.5 pass-block grades on PFF. Although he only played 36 pass-block snaps, he still surrendered four pressures, meaning he essentially allowed some form of pressure on one of every nine snaps, which isn’t a trend you want to see when your team has the best quarterback on the planet.

The Chiefs can save $1.1 million by trading or cutting Niang this offseason. While that isn’t a ton of space, every penny counts with Kansas City looking to win a third Super Bowl in a row next year. Besides, chances are the Chiefs can find a better alternative for Niang through the 2024 NFL Draft.

4. Charles Omenihu, DE

After spending the start of his career with the Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers, veteran defensive end Charles Omenihu signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Chiefs last offseason.

After serving a six-game suspension to begin the 2023 season, it didn’t take Omenihu long to contribute to the Chiefs’ success. The former Texas Longhorn tallied career highs in both sacks (7.0) and solo tackles (18) while forcing a pair of fumbles and breaking up two passes in 11 regular-season games with one start.

Unfortunately, Omenihu couldn’t be with the Chiefs when they took on the San Francisco 49ers in Las Vegas. The 27-year-old veteran tore his ACL in the AFC Championship Game against the Baltimore Ravens, forcing him to watch the Super Bowl from the sidelines. Considering it can take up to eight months or longer to rehab from ACL surgery, there’s a chance that he could miss a good chunk of the 2024 campaign.

If the Chiefs are unsure about when Omenihu will be 100%, they could opt to send him packing in favor of more cap space. After all, the franchise can free up $7.2 million with a release or trade before or after June 1, which can then be used to either sign multiple free agents or put towards re-signing a big name, like Chris Jones.

Even though he only spent one year in Kansas City so far, it could wind up being Omenihu’s last.