KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Chiefs recently signed contract extensions with two players who otherwise would have been free agents in March: defensive lineman Allen Bailey and fullback Anthony Sherman.

Both moves make sense for the Chiefs. Bailey is playing well in his first season as a starter. Sherman is one of the league's best blocking fullbacks and plays well on special teams.

Those signings reduce the Chiefs’ list of prospective free agents, but it is still considerable. Potential free agents include outside linebacker Justin Houston, who leads the NFL with 12 sacks. The Chiefs should and will designate Houston as their franchise player, if they don’t get him signed to a long-term deal.

Six other regulars are also in the final seasons of their contracts. That list includes three offensive linemen (center Rodney Hudson, guard Mike McGlynn and tackle Ryan Harris), linebacker Josh Mauga, defensive back Ron Parker and nickel back Chris Owens.

I’ll get more into what the free agent strategy for the Chiefs should be when the season is over. For now, it’s safe to say they must retain Houston and Hudson. Mauga and Parker have played well and could have a role depending on price, too.

Other potential unrestricted free agents are running back Joe McKnight, offensive lineman Jeff Linkenbach, defensive lineman Kevin Vickerson, safety Kurt Coleman and long snapper Thomas Gafford.

Wide receiver Junior Hemingway, linebacker Dezman Moses and safety Kelcie McCray are scheduled to be restricted free agents.