Whereas most individuals aren’t speaking in regards to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ defensive ends this offseason, it’s nonetheless a place the place there may be important uncertainty. Charles Omenihu’s ACL harm within the AFC Championship leaves the place group with some critical questions for 2024.
Let’s check out the place the group now stands.
On the roster
2023 defensive ends nonetheless underneath contract: Charles Omenihu, George Karlaftis, Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Malik Herring and B.J. Thompson.
Truman Jones and Jordan Smith have additionally signed reserves/futures contracts that can put them on the energetic roster when the brand new league yr begins on March 13.
The Chiefs are getting most of their defensive ends again — however with the caveat that Omenihu is probably going going to begin 2024 on the physically-unable-to-perform (Reserve/PUP) checklist, which can maintain him out for a minimum of the primary six video games of the season.
This implies Karlaftis is the one constant contributor who’s returning for 2024.
Anudike-Uzomah ended the 2023 season on the bench. Given Omenihu’s harm, the place the second-year participant’s growth stands is now a essential issue. I beforehand reviewed his late-season movie, concluding that Anudike-Uzomah most likely wasn’t able to step right into a beginning function in 2024 — however that he may contribute in a rotational function or as a situational go rusher. May Omenihu’s harm drive the crew into enjoying Anudike-Uzomah earlier than he’s prepared? This shall be an necessary query because the offseason continues.
Past that, Herring and Thompson will each have alternatives for greater roles. Each most likely make the roster, with Herring getting some snaps each week.
In-house free brokers
Free brokers: Mike Danna
The one defensive finish slated to hit free company, Danna has been an superior function participant in Kansas Metropolis. He has proven excellent intelligence and soccer character. His run protection has been glorious — and every season, he’s improved as a go rusher. Whereas Danna isn’t tremendous lengthy, he can use his size to execute a bull rush or a long-arm rush — however he may add some pace and agility across the nook with a rip transfer to maintain tackles trustworthy. He’s a junkball rusher who can maintain defenders guessing about his subsequent transfer — and his arsenal has grown each season.
Sadly, I doubt Danna’s development will proceed in Kansas Metropolis. He’s been a starting-level participant on two Tremendous Bowl groups — and may fill a number of roles. On his subsequent deal, I’d anticipate Danna to be paid round $9-12 million yearly — which is more likely to be greater than the Chiefs can afford. Until Kansas Metropolis can’t get Omenihu again in 2024, I don’t see the crew committing long-term cash to Danna after drafting Anudike-Uzomah and Karlaftis.
Free agent choices
If Danna must be changed, the Chiefs have some free-agent choices.
Yannick Ngakoue, 29, Chicago Bears
Derek Barnett, 26, Houston Texans
Carl Lawson, 29, New York Jets
A.J. Epenesa, 26, Buffalo Payments
Darrell Taylor, 27, Seattle Seahawks
The veterans on this checklist could be on one-year offers attempting to win a hoop. Whereas Ngakoue is restricted to being a situational go rusher, he’s nonetheless good at it, having 34 pressures and an 8.5% stress fee final yr. Lawson had a troublesome 2023 season, showing in simply six video games and accumulating solely two pressures. However in 2022, he performed a full season wherein he registered 49 pressures, eight sacks and an 11.4% stress fee. When wholesome, Lawson continues to be a very good participant — and he’s solely 29.
Among the many youthful gamers, Epenesa would most likely be the most costly. coming off a 2023 season with 33 pressures in 250 pass-rushing snaps. In an even bigger function, he’d present the Chiefs with an excellent Danna alternative; he can play towards the run whereas including some ability as a go rusher. Through the years, Epenesa has dropped weight to enhance his pass-rushing expertise — and final yr, it confirmed.
Taylor had a bizarre yr, getting solely 27 pressures — so with a brand new workers in Seattle, I doubt he’ll be again. His poor run protection limits the period of time he will be on the sector — however he’s at all times had good stress charges (albeit on low samples) and has recorded 23 sacks by way of three seasons. As a delegated go rusher, Taylor’s pace and explosiveness may assist Kansas Metropolis’s protection.
Barnett has been a draft disappointment — however in eight video games with the Texans, he had 22 pressures and 4 sacks on a 13.9% stress fee. Over a bigger pattern, perhaps there’s one thing there that Houston couldn’t unlock.
One NFL Draft choice: Darius Robinson, DE, Missouri
That is a straightforward choice that can fulfill a big group of Chiefs followers. Whereas I don’t suppose Robinson’s top-50 hype is warranted, I do suppose he may assist Kansas Metropolis. Robinson is a thick, enormous defensive finish — measuring 6 toes 5 and 285 kilos (with 34.5-inch arms) on the Mix.
However Robinson didn’t do effectively in the course of the Mix’s testing, recording a 4.9-second 40 and a nine-foot-3 broad bounce. These numbers would very possible maintain him from being a top-50 choose for many groups.
However Robinson may contribute. Together with his size and highly effective arms, he’s a superb run defender. He’s not overly explosive (and really stiff) as a go rusher, however his overwhelming dimension permits him to crush pockets together with his bull rush. He additionally has the flexibility to hurry the passer from the within. He might be a very good worth within the draft’s center rounds.
Robinson would even be an excellent backup for Omenihu. Despite the fact that Omenihu is considerably extra athletic, they’d fill comparable roles. Over the long run, Robinson would even be an excellent complement to Anudike-Uzomah and Karlaftis, giving Kansas Metropolis a size choice neither of them can present.
