Final Kansas City Chiefs 53-Man Roster Prediction
By Ben Nielsen
Aug 7, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Jaye Howard (96) pressures Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Matt Scott (8) in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won the game 41-39. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
DEFENSIVE LINE
End: Mike DeVito, Allen Bailey, Mike Catapano, Jaye Howard
Inside: Dontari Poe, Vance Walker, Kyle Love
Catapano’s illness complicates matters on the defensive line. It would seem the Chiefs would like to keep him but there needs to be some element of depth added to the 53-man in order to replace what Catapano will not be producing. Kyle Love would seem to be the logical recipient of the extra roster spot with Catapano being sick.
Overall, the defensive line has been impressive to me this preseason. Bailey has made strides against the run while maintaining his pass rush abilities, Jaye Howard has stepped up his pass rushing skills, and Vance Walker has been the kind of quality player we thought we were getting when we signed him this offseason. It is going to be exciting to see how Bob Sutton plans to mesh his new pass rushing tools on the defensive line with his blitz schemes.
Of all the individual units, the defensive line has made the biggest jump as a group in my eyes.