Has Defensive Tackle Become Greater Draft Need For Chiefs?

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We are just a little over a week away from the 2023 NFL Draft. By now, most teams have finalized their draft boards and rankings within their own buildings. Throughout the pre-draft process each team’s top team needs have become clear. Yet, there are still other positions that may need to be filled with reinforcements. For the Kansas City Chiefs, that position may indeed be defensive tackle, as it has possibly grown into a greater team need than originally thought.

A lot of the focus from Kansas City could be on the wide receiver, offensive tackle and EDGE defender spots. Though, the Chiefs are not necessarily deep at defensive tackle right now. Sure, you have names like Mike Danna, George Karlaftis and Charles Omenihu who could occasionally reduce down inside. Kansas City is just not stocked with many true interior defensive linemen right now, beyond the otherworldly Chris Jones. That is especially true after the free agent departure of Khalen Saunders to the New Orleans Saints.

Who are some possible defensive tackle prospects that Chiefs fans should be aware of for the 2023 NFL Draft? Plus, how do these players fit in Kansas City’s scheme? Let’s kick it off.

Names To Know

Mazi Smith- Michigan

For years, the Kansas City Chiefs have not been known for their run defense. That was an area in which the defense mostly improved last season, especially late in the year. In order to maintain that solid run defense, Mazi Smith may be a name that Kansas City likes. The Chiefs would be getting a defender who exudes obvious power at the point of attack. As for his other top traits, Smith can peek and shed blocks at the line of scrimmage quickly, control gaps with his sneaky good lateral agility and flash solid first-step quickness. He has been utilized best as a true nose tackle.

In Kansas City, the Chiefs could view Mazi Smith as a fit on early downs. His power and heavy hands fit the mold of what this team has gone after with their defensive linemen. On the other hand, the Chiefs could further unlock different defensive fronts when using Smith’s mass in the middle of the defensive line. With how Kansas City likes to mix and match and switch up fronts, Smith would allow other defensive linemen to move around the formation freely.

Keeanu Benton- Wisconsin

Another Big Ten defensive tackle, Keeanu Benton is similar to the aforementioned Smith in certain areas. The Wisconsin product is a mountain of a man, measuring in at 6’4” and 309 pounds during the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine. Not to mention, Benton offers substantial length, which allows him to make stops in multiple areas of the field. The size, power and length is one thing. If he were to join the Kansas City Chiefs, he could fit the role of nose tackle or even 3-tech, affecting both the run and the pass.

However, the overall athleticism and movement skills of this defender truly jumped off the screen on tape. Benton took on double teams and plugged gaps with urgency for the Badgers. Other times, he was able to condense and fire through gaps to create havoc. The smoothness that he moves with at his size, both laterally and vertically, allow him to be in position to make any play.

Siaki Ika- Baylor

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Siaki Ika is a challenging valuation and evaluation among this year’s defensive tackle class. Overall, he may be more dangerous as a run defender. On tape, Ika proved that he could command multiple gaps, while largely working at nose tackle. He has some fascinating movement skills and athleticism. But, consistently relying on that is not going to work. More often than not, Ika will be able to win reps with strength and displacing opposing blockers with his hand technique.

In Kansas City, the Chiefs could be using Siaki Ika strictly on early downs. His comprehensive game may not be all that flashy. Nevertheless, Kansas City could be just fine adding more power to the fold, rather than forcing a player to be used as an athlete, so to speak.

Jaquelin Roy- LSU

Jaquelin Roy is another name that could possibly thrive at nose tackle for the Chiefs. Kansas City could also shade this player on either side of the center. In general, the power at the point attack and core strength to win leverage battles are his top traits. For as much hype as someone like Ika is getting, Roy may actually display better instincts and read and reaction ability. That is the case not just for blocks, but play recognition and play direction, to boot.

The Kansas City Chiefs may understand that Roy does not have the production of other defensive tackle prospects. The tools and traits are there, however. As a tenacious, smart and technically sound defender, the Chiefs could use him in dirty areas to muddy up the line of scrimmage. Roy should be getting more hype, in my opinion.

Kobie Turner- Wake Forest

A former walk-on at Richmond, Kobie Turner eventually transferred to Wake Forest to join the Demon Deacons. He is not quite as heavy as some of these other defensive tackle names. And quite frankly, the Chiefs have been willing to add defensive tackles who are not as massive in the past. Kansas City could view this up-and-coming player as someone who offers high potential. That could come as a run defender or pass rusher for the Chiefs.

Mainly, this player flashes tremendous athleticism, footwork and lateral agility. Despite being somewhat raw at defensive tackle, Turner appears to learn immediately from tendencies, once he has seen something for the first time. His mix of first-step quickness, flexibility and ability to reduce rush angles jump off the screen. This player could be a diamond in the rough for Kansas City in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs 2023 NFL Draft articles and analysis throughout this week. 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.