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We are just under a month away from the 2024 NFL Draft. While teams continue to finalize their draft boards, it is time to list another position of names to know for Chiefs fans. Entering 2024, defensive line is still a top need for the Kansas City Chiefs. The team did re-sign a few defensive tackles already this offseason. However, the long-term future at that position is still pretty wide open. Meanwhile, some experience questions still linger at defensive end, on top of that.
Of course, Kansas City could address the defensive line at any point in the draft. They may attack that spot multiple times in April’s selections, to boot. But today, we will be focusing on defensive line names that could be options for the Chiefs in round one. Which players could make the most sense in their draft range and due to their play style? Let’s kick it off.
Question Marks Surrounding Chiefs Defensive Line
So far this offseason, the Chiefs have made more transactions surrounding the defensive tackle spot. Names like Tershawn Wharton, Derrick Nnadi and Mike Pennel all returned on one-year deals. Obviously, getting the Chris Jones monster contract extension done was a major piece of business for Kansas City. It is easy to see how Jones is the best defender on the defensive line, let alone for the entire Chiefs defense. Yet, you would still like more depth and above average talent at defensive tackle around him.
At defensive end, it is fascinating that one of the more underrated pending free agents for Kansas City is still available. Mike Danna may not be known heavily by casual fans. Though, his play has grown positively for the Chiefs defensive line over the last couple of years. Perhaps, Kansas City could still re-sign him, which would be a nice boost. Outside of that, Felix Anudike-Uzomah will be looking to take the next step after developing last year. Charles Omenihu faces an unknown recovery timeline after tearing his ACL in the AFC Championship Game. George Karlaftis is the clear leader at defensive end, as more sustainability is needed there behind him.
Names To Know For KC
There are three clear defensive line names that stand out as options for the Chiefs in round one. One is a pure defensive tackle. The other two are names that can certainly log snaps at defensive end, with one of those staying out there exclusively.
Clear Names To Know
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At defensive tackle only, you have Jer’Zhan “Johnny” Newton (Illinois). Personally, I have him ranked a bit higher than this range in the first round. But recently, it appears like there is more steam for him to go late in round one, possibly early in round two. His physicality, power and toughness are his top traits. Beyond that, Newton offers incredible movement skills at his size. To me, he is a sound player in many areas that is possibly being driven down by prospect fatigue, with people kind of forgetting about him.
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The other two clear defensive line names to know for the Chiefs include Darius Robinson (Missouri) and Chop Robinson (Penn State). Of the two Robinson names, Darius has likely been linked more to Kansas City. He can play both inside and outside on the defensive line. That is something the Chiefs have been comfortable in adding recently to the defensive line group. Overall, Darius is a dense player who can win with immense length. As for Chop, his draft range could be quite wide. He is more technically refined and can win with bend off of the edge, compared to Darius.
First-Round Sleepers
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At this point in the draft process, sleepers are a challenging term to throw out there. But every year, we still see a couple or few names that land in round one that most are not expecting. I would say there are three defensive line names that the Chiefs could be eyeing that fit under that category.
Let’s start at defensive end with Marshawn Kneeland (Western Michigan). Of the three names in this category, he may be the most surprising player to possibly go in round one. His heavy hands and agility are a rare combination to have. Overall, Kneeland is someone who still has room to grow to reach his potential, with his best football still being ahead of him.
I would like to throw out a couple of other defensive tackle names. It is more likely they go in round two. But if they go in round one, there is reason to buy into either Braden Fiske (Florida State) or T’Vondre Sweat (Texas) going early. Even though he was not wearing pads at the event, Fiske lit up the NFL Scouting Combine with his testing results across multiple categories. Thankfully for him, that athleticism also stood out on tape. Finally, Sweat is a massive player with his size. He can still win with rare quickness and has the power to back it up, as well.
How Those Names Fit In Chiefs Defense
The power and tenacity of names like Newton, Darius Robinson and Sweat are all exciting factors that could be incorporated into the Chiefs defense. They all can control those aspects at different levels, so to speak. Newton is the most polished defender, when it comes to instilling his physical nature and driving blockers off of their base. Robinson can make life difficult for blockers, in terms of how late they are able to land hands on him. That aforementioned versatility is also a factor to watch, if Kansas City is interested in him. Meanwhile, Sweat was able to singlehandedly take plays over in college. The NFL strength will be a different animal. But in a defensive line group like the Chiefs, Sweat would still get some opportunities to work in short spaces and as a possible gap plugger one-on-one.
Chop Robinson and Fiske would be two of the more athletic defensive linemen to join the Chiefs, if they were to come to Kansas City. Compared to other more athletic defenders in recent history, Kansas City just has not had that type of quickness and smoothness when working laterally. That is especially true, when considering players that can handle early downs. Lastly, Kneeland has the hand size, hand power and frame that the Chiefs have usually gone after among defensive line prospects. Even though he would be a round-one sleeper, Kneeland appears to exude a potentially higher ceiling than some other names in his likely draft range.
Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles and analysis throughout 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.