In Deep EDGE Class, Many Fit Steve Spagnuolo Prototype

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The 2023 NFL Draft appears to be much deeper on the defensive side of the football. One of the deeper position groups in the class, is the EDGE defenders. Pass rushers of different shapes and sizes have the opportunity to step right in and be instant impact players at the NFL level. One team that could be heavily interested in adding an EDGE defender is the Kansas City Chiefs. It just so happens, many of the prospects from this position group fit the prototype that Steve Spagnuolo looks for.

That prototype has been well documented. Simply put, Spagnuolo loves to invest in dense and physical EDGE defenders. Those EDGE defenders usually have the length, heavy hands and potential explosiveness off the line of scrimmage to win reps one-on-one.

Assuming the Chiefs do add another EDGE defender in the 2023 NFL Draft, let’s look into possible fits for Kansas City. Which names make the most sense, under this Steve Spagnuolo prototype threshold? Plus, what item have the Chiefs begun to add to the defensive line, overall? Let’s kick it off.

Players That Fit The Spagnuolo Prototype

Lukas Van Ness- Iowa

Lukas Van Ness is admittedly a challenging player to project going into the NFL. Certainly, he was not a very experienced starter while at Iowa. Van Ness is also still trying to expand his pass rush repertoire, to boot. If anything, the Hawkeyes product is built like a Steve Spagnuolo EDGE defender. His arm length (34”) is extremely massive. Despite still developing more hand counter moves, Van Ness is smooth when converting speed to power. If he can continue to grow quickly, Van Ness could be a dominant producer as an EDGE defender.

Derick Hall- Auburn

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Like Van Ness, Derick Hall is still developing as a pass rusher. If given the opportunity to join someone like Steve Spagnuolo in Kansas City, this EDGE defender could win one-on-one in a variety of ways. Do not rule out Hall being able to reduce rush angles and bend around the corner. Elsewhere, the Auburn product is reactive enough to dip underneath the arms of opposing blockers. When you have the mix of athleticism, power and arm length (34 1/2”) that Hall does, you will get a lot of attention early on in the draft. Perhaps, Steve Spagnuolo pounds the table for him.

Felix Anudike-Uzomah- Kansas State

If the Chiefs were to draft Felix Anudike-Uzomah, they would be bringing a Kansas City native back home. There is just something about his frame and play style that makes him appear like a Steve Spagnuolo fit. Overall, Anudike-Uzomah is a player who lives off of power and explosiveness at the point of attack, over anything else. His flexibility is quietly a plus trait, given his frame. The energy and motor that he adds would surely get Kansas City and Spagnuolo excited.

Adetomiwa Adebawore- Northwestern

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Like Anudike-Uzomah, the Chiefs could bring this particular Kansas City native back home in the 2023 NFL Draft. Adetomiwa Adebawore absolutely tore up the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. But if you were following him during the regular season at Northwestern, the potential has always been there. Adebawore can flex between the EDGE defender spot and as an interior defensive lineman. His size (6’2”, 282 pounds) and arm length (33 7/8”) allows him to win leverage early and displays how powerful his upper half is. With his motor and relentlessness, Adebawore would fit right in with the recent Chiefs additions to the defensive line.

Dylan Horton- TCU

The names above could all go relatively early in the 2023 NFL Draft. As for the next two names, Kansas City could possibly have them available late in day two of the draft. Dylan Horton is still scratching the surface of being a high-floor player. For the most part, his 2022 campaign saw him begin to put it all together. Like some of these other EDGE defenders, the motor and physical temperament are their top traits currently. Steve Spagnuolo could certainly mold Horton, when thinking about his overall upside.

Zach Harrison- Ohio State

Zach Harrison has been a name to watch for the NFL Draft community for quite some time. While at Ohio State, Harrison has endured many ups and downs, in terms of his results and production. His arm length (36 1/4”) is otherworldly. Moreover, the dominant flashes that Harrison has shown is definitely enticing. Yet, there has been some tightness and stiffness to his get off at the snap. Underachieving in spots has certainly soured some people in the NFL Draft community. However, it just takes one team to take a leap of faith in Harrison. Could Steve Spagnuolo be a part of that?

Chiefs Starting To Incorporate Interchangeability To Defensive Line

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As much as length, power and explosiveness are top traits of EDGE defenders for Steve Spagnuolo, KC has been adding a new item to the defensive line recently. Having more interchangeability is something that the Chiefs have clung to upfront defensively. Of course, new free agent signing Charles Omenihu is someone who fits the bill of rushing the passer from the outside or reducing down inside. 2022 first-round pick George Karlaftis may not have reduced down inside a lot as a rookie. But at Purdue, his profile proved that he could handle both outside and inside duties.

Rotational pass rusher Mike Danna, who had a sneaky good season as a depth player, has begun to produce more as an inside pass rusher. Additionally, we know that Steve Spagnuolo will occasionally shift Chris Jones to the EDGE defender spot in obvious passing situations.

Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs 2023 NFL Draft articles and analysis in the coming days. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.

– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.