Three Questions: Kansas City Chiefs Defensive Line
By Ben Nielsen
Nov 3, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Tyson Jackson (94) and defensive end Mike DeVito (70) tackle Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson (22) during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Chiefs beat the Bills 23-13. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
We are rapidly approaching the start of Kansas City Chiefs training camp, which means it is time to start focusing hardcore on the 2014 season and less on the past. To get us started we’ll ask three important questions that surround each position group.
The first group up on the list is the defensive line. The Chiefs defensive line has not been the same since the Chiefs traded Jared Allen to the Minnesota Vikings in 2008. Since the the line has failed to generate much of any pass rush. This was in part due to scheme but also because the talent really hasn’t been there. The latter becomes very disturbing when one considered the Chiefs have taken three defensive linemen with top 11 picks in the draft since 2008.
Fortunately, there is a bit more reason to be optimistic about the line. While the Chiefs were not very active in free agency, they did find an interesting player in Vance Walker and have seen an advancement in practices from Mike Catapano. For the first time in a while there seems to be some fungible talent on the defensive line. Will that be enough for the Chiefs to build off of their 2013 success?