Did the Chiefs really improve their run defense from 2016?
By Britt Zank
Reworking the defensive line
It started with former general manager John Dorsey as he chose to not retain 2016 starters Dontari Poe, who left to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, and Jaye Howard, who was released and late signed by the Chicago Bears. These were not easy moves to make, as both where fan favorites and Howard had just signed a two-year, $12 million deal the previous offseason.
To replace Poe, Dorsey signed free agent Bennie Logan to a one-year, $8 million deal. Logan is regarded as one the best run-stuffing nose tackles in the league. We all got a small glimpse of this talent last Friday night against the Seattle Seahawks when he shut down the middle and forced runners into waiting linebackers for little to no gain. While Logan is not the pass rushing threat that Poe was, he is better at holding the point of attack which allows the linebackers to do their job. He is also healthier than Poe, who had recurring back injures that is always an issue for a man who weighs over 300 pounds. They did not stop with Logan however, as the Chiefs also signed Roy Miller and Cam Thomas to bolster the position.
The Chiefs replaced Howard with in-house talent. Allen Bailey’s return to health is the most imporntat part in the defensive end position. He has been dominant this preseason and appears ready to be a force inside. Chris Jones has gone from raw rookie to the unquestioned leader of the defensive line. His athletism and enthusiasm for the sport has him as my early season pick for Chiefs defensive MVP. Jarvis Jenkins and an improved and hungry Rakeem Nunez-Roches round out an improved defensive line with a lot to prove.