Rakeem Nunez-Roches bulks up for Chiefs defensive line

It’s rare that a player can add 25 pounds in a single offseason, but Rakeem Nunez-Roches hopes it’s makes the difference in his play in 2017.

The Kansas City Chiefs needed some help in the running game. Specifically, Bob Sutton’s crew needed help with run defense. Despite one of the NFL’s best defensive units overall, a group that annually finishes at or near the NFL’s best in takeaways, the Chiefs still had a serious need in stopping running backs from continually getting to the second level.

Earlier this offseason, the Chiefs let Dontari Poe walk to the Atlanta Falcons and signed former Philadelphia Eagles lineman Bennie Logan, who has a strong reputation as a stout run defender in the NFL. Most recently new general manager Brett Veach signed veteran free agent defensive lineman Roy Miller to help provide another strong anchor against the run for the defensive front. Between the pair, the Chiefs should be harder to move in 2017.

Rakeem Nunez-Roches hopes to be a part of the solution as well, and he’s done serious work to make his presence felt. Last year, Nunez-Roches was released only to be re-signed and activated for a nice late season surge. The Chiefs suffered several injuries along the defensive line and Nunez-Roches looked solid down the stretch. However, the 24-year-old knew he had offseason work ahead to take things to the next level.

When speaking to the media on Sunday from training camp practice in St. Joseph, Nunez-Roches says he’s now checking in at 310 pounds, up a significant amount from the 280 he’s used to.

"“The biggest thing was weight. There was a lot of things I could do off the ball being lighter. I was always fast and agile and explosive, but anytime I was hit in my hip, I would go flying. So I was like, ‘If I just add a little more in the lower half, I will be OK.’ Offseason, I emphasized in that area and gained a good amount of weight, 25 pounds. I started to run with it, condition with it, and see how I could move with it and it has worked out pretty good.”"

The former sixth round pick for the Chiefs played in 11 games last year for K.C., starting five games in his second season.