Chiefs defensive line fails to generate national respect

The Kansas City Chiefs defensive line was recently ranked among the very worst in the NFL by USA Today.

Positional rankings are coming out left and right in the days and weeks leading up to NFL training camps opening. What’s clear looking at the latest defensive line rankings from USA Today is that the Chiefs defensive line has some work cut out for them in terms of getting noticed. The Chiefs are ranked No. 26 overall (out of 32) for their defensive front heading into the 2017 season.

Nate Davis of USA Today has the Los Angeles Chargers at the very top given the presence of Joey Bosa opposite the newly-extended Melvin Ingram. As for the Chiefs, Davis writes:

"DE Chris Jones had a fantastic rookie debut. But with NT Dontari Poe gone, Jones’ impact could be diluted."

Perhaps the most notable free agent loss on the Chiefs this year would be Poe, a name that most NFL fans would recognize from his two Pro Bowl seasons earlier in his career. However, what the average NFL fan might not realize is that Poe’s best days were most certainly behind him with pressing back issues limiting his market to a single year contract on the open market. No one clearly wanted to commit to his long-term future.

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Even more, the Chiefs run defense was not good in 2016 despite the presence of such a popular and large anchor in the middle. Bennie Logan could be better suited for the Chiefs needs along the line, which is why he was brought in as Poe was let go. The former Eagle should team with Jones to make a formidable duo along the defensive front.

Even then, the Chiefs will also enjoy the return of Allen Bailey from injury, a physical beast who has shown the ability to penetrate the pocket in years past. He’ll be joined by second round pick Tanoh Kpassagnon out of Villanova, a developmental project who has earned early comparisons to Sean Jones and Jason Pierre-Paul. That doesn’t include Rakeem Nunez-Roches, who looked better near the end of 2016.

The Chiefs themselves likely aren’t sure what they have in their defensive line just yet. Logan is still settling into his new environs. Kpassagnon is a work in progress. Bailey needs to get back into pads. However, Jones is prepared to turn into one of the league’s elite defensive linemen in his second season and the youth and potential are all there for an ascendant group. They’re not the NFL’s best but they’re in a much better position than most people might believe.

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