Chiefs Roster: 3 notes on the defensive front against Jaguars

Coming into the 2024 season, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs are projected to have one of many NFL’s high defenses. Whereas that is primarily based on the unit’s elite efficiency a 12 months in the past, it didn’t retain each contributor from its championship run; within the workforce’s quest for a 3rd straight Tremendous Bowl title, the protection will look totally different.

Throughout coaching camp, the battle for the second cornerback spot stalled when a number of opponents have been sidelined with accidents. The protection group — together with rookie security Jaden Hicks — has performed to expectation; throughout Saturday’s 26-13 street loss within the preseason opener in opposition to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday, Hicks made a robust first impression as a tackler in area.

So when watching the coaches’ movie from preseason Week 1, my focus was on the entrance seven: defensive linemen and linebackers. Listed here are three notes.

1. Felix Anudike-Uzomah will likely be most impactful on passing downs

On Saturday, the second-year defensive finish led all defensive linemen in snaps; we acquired an prolonged have a look at final 12 months’s first-round decide.

There have been solely two snaps the place the beginning protection confronted third or fourth down. On these, Anudike-Uzomah was the sting rusher over the left sort out, whereas defensive finish Mike Danna shifted inside to open up the spot.

On the primary of those snaps, Anudike-Uzomah penetrates the pocket by executing a bull rush, organising the left sort out by popping out of his stance onerous and upfield, placing strain on the sort out to realize depth. That exposes the sort out’s inside shoulder. Anudike-Uzomah takes benefit with a fast burst, utilizing good pad degree to pry his approach into the quarterback’s private area.

On the subsequent play, he rushes exterior to press the again aspect of the pocket. Because the quarterback steps up, Anudike-Uzomah feels it — and redirects towards the ball. Whereas this isn’t a powerful rep, it does present he’s monitoring the ball always. Even so, if linebacker Jack Cochrane hadn’t been in a position to end the job, Anudike-Uzomah might need been in a position to get a sack with an ankle seize.

Later within the recreation, we see Anudike-Uzomah attempting out a inventive pass-rush transfer on a reserve left sort out. The cross-chop transfer prepares the sort out for an influence transfer — however the defender goes round him with a hop and a decisive chop to the arms. Whereas Anudike-Uzomah is unable to beat the blocker’s arms down, he’s nonetheless in a position to rip his inside hand by way of. That provides him the nook — which he turns impressively earlier than coming near a sack.

The arrogance and luxury Anudike-Uzomah confirmed whereas coming off the ball in pass-rushing reps wasn’t there throughout working performs. Whereas taking over working blocks, he was persistently permitting the offensive participant — usually a good finish — to win the preliminary engagement and get their arms to his chest. He must play extra aggressively in these conditions; he can’t afford to be reactionary.

Anudike-Uzomah deserves credit score for his excessive effort — and for his consciousness of the ball. On the second play, he attracts a holding penalty when attempting to shed the tight finish’s block. That mentioned, it’s clear that proper now, the younger edge defender is at his greatest as a delegated rusher.

2. The linebacker group is thinner and fewer versatile

The workforce’s linebacker depth took successful when the Chiefs elected to not re-sign Willie Homosexual Jr. This was instantly examined when MIKE linebacker Nick Bolton missed Saturday’s matchup with an elbow harm. Thankfully, he returned to apply on Monday. However in Jacksonville, the two-linebacker packages have been dealt with by Drue Tranquill and Leo Chenal.

This shift uncovered Chenal when taking part in off the ball in area; he’s at his greatest close to the road of scrimmage or within the field. Over the starters’ two possessions, Chenal allowed two receptions by missing really feel or intuition in protection.

On the primary play proven right here, Chenal is offering man protection on the tight finish — however off the snap, he’s fooled by the preliminary run motion. By the point Chenal recovers from the error, the ball is on its technique to a wide-open goal.

Within the second play, Chenal has zone protection over the center of the sector. As he drops, he turns to learn the routes on the far aspect — however whereas doing so, widens an excessive amount of. This opens a window for a 20-yard completion.

When everyone seems to be wholesome in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme, the beginning trio of linebackers complement one another nicely. However as Saturday’s recreation confirmed, accidents may create a much bigger downside than they did when Bolton missed eight of 10 video games in 2023.

3. Depth at defensive sort out is aggressive

Star defensive sort out Chris Jones didn’t play in Jacksonville. This allowed gamers behind him to make a mark.

A kind of was fifth-year defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton, who was one among Saturday’s most impactful defensive starters. He helped blow up two working performs by firing out and taking part in by way of blocks — after which on two different events, beat a cross block to penetrate the pocket.

When Jones wants relaxation this season, Wharton would be the key to sustaining inside disruption.

Right here, sixth-year lineman Matt Dickerson popped as a second-team cross rusher. He overpowered a guard to the bottom, then hand-fought his approach into the quarterback’s face to tip a cross. This was a robust reminder why the workforce rostered him in 2023.

Throughout his taking part in time, third-year nostril sort out Neil Farrell appeared the a part of a gap-plugger. Right here, he takes on a double workforce with authority — throwing the middle to the bottom because the guard stays on him.

Through the late stretches, undrafted rookie Fabien Lovett confirmed off his block-shedding potential on quite a lot of performs. On the NFL Scouting Mix, the nostril sort out’s arms measured 11 inches — which apparently interprets to a strong, controlling grip that may management a blocking engagement.

Whereas he wants to remain balanced as he makes these strikes — and be taught to carry up in opposition to double groups — he made a really sturdy first impression.