Defensive Positional Overview

A Deeper Dive Into Where the Chiefs Need to Add Talent

We are into the full swing of the offseason and it’s time to dive into the position groups to see where the Chiefs can improve heading into next season.

There are many players that have been added to the team as future contracts but I will not be touching on those players here. This is going to be about the players that played in 2021 and also those that have the highest likelihood of contributing in 2022.

If you missed the primer on the Chiefs Free Agents you can find it here.

I also dove into the cap situation for the Chiefs this season here.

And if you missed the first article on the positional groups for Offense and special teams you can find it here.

Defensive End

Let’s just get this one out of the way. The Chiefs are going to need a lot of help at the DE position in 2022. While it hasn’t happened yet the prevailing belief is that Frank Clark will be cut as a cap casualty. Even if he wasn’t cut and played on a reduced contract the Chiefs have needs at the DE position.

Chris Jones at DE didn’t work for the 2021 Chiefs and I’m hoping they don’t try it again in 2022. Jones is disruptive in the middle of the defense and can play DE occasionally to mix things up but he shouldn’t be playing out there on a regular basis.

Melvin Ingram should be considered to be brought back but it needs to be on a smart contract. Yes, the Chiefs played better when he played this season but that shouldn’t mean a bigger contract as the production still wasn’t there from Ingram. I’d let Alex Okafor walk in free agency as well as I don’t think he can provide what the Chiefs need.

This leaves Mike Danna, Joshua Kaindoh, and perhaps Malik Herring who was on the non-football injury list for the whole season. Looking at this positional group the Chiefs need multiple players to add. I don’t see KC being able to bargain shop in free agency as DE is a premium position but if they can add a lower-priced role player that’s great.

I’ve seen rumors the Chiefs will swing big at the position if Za’Darius Smith is let go from Green Bay which is likely to happen. I’m not sure I see the Chiefs going that direction due to the likely cost that Smith would demand. If they go this direction it is going to be at the expense of upgrading somewhere else but they are in desperate need of a pass rush.

The draft is the most likely spot for the Chiefs to really add talent at the DE position. Much like the WR position in the offensive review I could easily see the Chiefs trying to make this position a strength in one offseason by doubling up on additions.

Defensive Tackle

Chris Jones is one of the starters and a superstar on this defense. As I said above I hope they use him as only a DT in 2022. Jones is one of the best tackles and football and if they can add a little pass rush to the outside he is going to begin wreaking havoc again.

While I would like to see Derrick Nnadi back in Kansas City I don’t think it will happen. He is not a big pass rusher and the Chiefs need more of that in the middle of the defense. He is also likely to get a better offer outside of Kansas City than from the Chiefs.

Jarran Reed never lived up to the hype and I would assume he moves on to another team in 2022. Khalen Saunders and Turk Wharton are the depth at the position and neither has shown they are capable starters at this point in their young careers.

I expect the Chiefs will make an addition at defensive tackle but I’m not sure if it will be in the draft or free agency. I don’t expect them to be bidders early in free agency for another DT but they could add a value starter after the draft if they don’t find an upgrade.

Linebacker

This is a position that a couple of years ago was very devoid of talent. With the emergence of Willie Gay and Nick Bolton the Chiefs felt comfortable releasing Anthony Hitchens last month. Gay and Bolton will be the pieces the unit will be built around but they are going to need another linebacker.

While it’s not my preference it wouldn’t shock me for Ben Niemann to be back in Kansas City. I don’t think there will be a big market for him so I could see him coming back at a very cheap price. I would still prefer an upgrade over his speed limitations but the Chiefs trust him so it would not shock me to see him back.

Dorian O’Daniel is a player that just never found a place on this team other than as a core special teamer. His speed was thought to be something that they could add to the defense to help but they almost never used him in that capacity. He could be back in KC for the right price but it would not surprise me if they look to replace his special team’s roles elsewhere. Darius Harris could also be back but would also be in a limited role.

This is another position I expect the Chiefs to address in the draft. It’s possible they want a veteran to add with Gay and Bolton and if that happens they will likely be looking for another LB much later in the draft.

In the next couple days I’ll be positing another article about the big changes coming in the Chiefs secondary. More Chiefs content will follow soon as things continue to ramp up to for free agency and the draft. I’ll also be diving into any new players the Chiefs sign and the contracts they give them so be on the lookout for that here at Chiefs Corner.