Erik Walden could be an interesting addition for the Kansas City Chiefs
By Matt Conner
Before any notions of Walden are really analyzed, let’s take a look at the typical Chiefs roster construction. The Chiefs tend to carry a fifth linebacker at either inside linebacker or outside linebacker, but not both. At various points over the last three seasons, the number of linebackers has stayed the same even as their exact positions have changed.
If that holds true, then it’s easy to start to put together the Chiefs roster for this season. On the outside, the Chiefs will undoubtedly employ Tamba Hali, Justin Houston and Dee Ford. From there, the best guesses are Frank Zombo and Dadi Nicolas. Looking at the current talent level, it’s on the outside where the Chiefs are likely to keep their extra linebacker, which is why we’re including Nicolas on the active roster at this point.
On the inside, Derrick Johnson and Ramik Wilson man the base defense as starters while Justin March-Lillard and special teams ace D.J. Alexander round out the roster. Ukeme Eligwe seems like an ideal practice squad player, a raw developmental prospect you stash for a full year before expecting anything.
If the Chiefs fail to bring in outside player, the ninth linebacker will likely come down to Eligwe versus Nicolas on the active roster, barring any training camp surprise from an undrafted free agent. But in the instance that Nicolas isn’t flashing the ability to make the leap as a pro pass rusher just yet and Eligwe is far from ready to even be a special teams asset, it might behoove the Chiefs to make a move to bolster the position and bring on a veteran asset to strengthen the pass rush.