Chiefs Film Review: George Karlaftis ending his rookie year with a bang

Early within the season, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ rookie defensive finish George Karlaftis had his justifiable share of rising pains. However over the past six video games, he has exploded for 5 sacks — exhibiting that he’s on his solution to a productive NFL profession.

When evaluating movie, watching a rookie participant flip the web page is a variety of enjoyable. It’s nice to see them go from making rookie errors — typically from taking part in out of their consolation zone — to turning into impact-makers, demonstrating their particular person development and the crew tradition into which they’ve been immersed.

With 5 and a half sacks, seven tackles for loss, seven passes batted down and 19 quarterback pressures, Karlaftis has been among the many extra productive rookie defensive ends chosen within the 2022 draft. Of the 4 defensive ends taken earlier than him, solely Aidan Hutchinson of the Detroit Lions has extra sacks.

Let’s check out what Karlaftis did throughout Sunday’s 27-24 win over the Denver Broncos.

Setting the sting

Karlaftis wasted no time setting the tone. He made his presence recognized on on the sport’s second play.

Studying the play completely, he shortly engages the best deal with, driving him into the backfield. The play is designed to be a toss to the skin — however for the reason that play-side deal with has been blown up, the operating again has to take a wider path to get to the skin. This offers the Kansas Metropolis protection an opportunity to swarm. Karlaftis makes the play by destroying the blocker in entrance of him, getting off the block and making the deal with.

We have now seen some cases the place Karlaftis has struggled to set the sting on outdoors operating performs. However on this snap, studying the deal with’s attain block — after which opening his hips and dealing laterally to the skin — allowed him to shortly acknowledge (and assault) the play.

Dashing the passer

Whereas stopping the run is vital for profitable video games, speeding the passer — and ending these rushes — is important for profitable them. On Sunday, the Chiefs’ protection was capable of acquire 4 sacks. Karlaftis was a part of the celebration.

Denver makes use of heavy formations (further backs or tight ends) to run the ball — however the crew additionally makes use of them to create play-action passing alternatives for quarterback Russell Wilson.

On this play, veteran defensive finish Carlos Dunlap will get previous the pulling guard after which works across the operating again to power Wilson off his spot. On the opposite aspect of the road, Karlaftis begins out by speeding vast — however as soon as he acknowledges that Wilson is on the brink of transfer out of the pocket, he places on the brakes, disengages from the left deal with, restarts his blind-side rush and smacks Wilson down.

The motor

All season, Karlaftis’ effort has been simply because it was marketed popping out of Purdue. Throughout a important second in Sunday’s sport, his relentlessness helped him make a giant play.

With simply 16 seconds left within the first half, the Broncos have the ball on the Kansas Metropolis 30-yard line. On the very least, they’re in place for a area purpose try earlier than halftime.

Not one to sit down on his heels, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo dials up a well-timed blitz, utilizing Karlaftis and defensive deal with Chris Jones to occupy the offensive line’s consideration — permitting rookie cornerback Trent McDuffie to get by way of the road untouched and ship a vicious hit that knocks the ball from Wilson’s fingers.

Even because the blitz will get residence, Karlatifis does a pleasant job. He will get across the left deal with by bending the sting to get near the quarterback. When he realizes the ball is on the bottom, he activates the jets and expenses ahead to get it.

This turnover — happening when Denver was ready to attain — made a big impact within the sport, which Kansas Metropolis received by solely three factors. Karlaftis’ all-out hustle and energy earned him his first profession fumble restoration — and helped earn his crew a victory.

The underside line

With the postseason simply forward, the Chiefs will want Karlaftis to step up and play larger than a rookie. With 16 video games below his belt, it appears like his confidence is rising sport by sport. His effort and motor have all the time been there, however now he’s starting to reap the rewards of his laborious work.

Going through elite quarterbacks within the postseason, Kansas Metropolis’s cross rush will probably be critically vital. Whereas Jones is main the way in which — and appears like a candidate for defensive participant of the yr — he can not do the job alone. Karlaftis’ late-season emergence is especially encouraging. With the eye that Jones receives on a weekly foundation, Karlaftis will probably be getting extra favorable matchups.

Regardless of his early-season struggles, Karlaftis is popping in a good rookie season. However within the NFL, the playoffs are the true proving floor. Within the coming weeks, the rookie can have ample alternatives to show he might be extra than simply a median participant.