Did the Chiefs really improve their run defense from 2016?

Reworking the linebacking corps

While Dorsey put his stamp on the defensive line, new GM Brett Veach has planted his flag in the linebacking core. One of his first moves as GM was to trade special teams pro bowler D.J. Alexander to the Seattle Seahawks for middle linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis. He is a bit of an unknown but the Chiefs feel he adds depth to a MLB core that did not hold up last season once Derrick Johnson went down.

Then Veach made another move trading a 2019 fourth round pick to the Buffalo Bills for MLB Reggie Ragland. Ragland was a beast at the University of Alabama but injuries caused him to drop in the 2016 draft where the Bills traded three picks to get him. The injury bug caught up with him before his rookie season began when he tore his ACL prior to the first pre-season game. If healthy, Ragland brings a young early round talent next to Johnson on a team-friendly contract.

More from Arrowhead Addict

• Former Chiefs cornerback in legal trouble in Las Vegas
• Chiefs Kingdom: Get ready to break contract news
• Chiefs news: Travis Kelce wants to host fan ‘chug-off’ in Germany
• Podcast: Breaking down the Chiefs biggest roster battles
• KC Chiefs send Dave Merritt to NFL coaching accelerator

Despite all this help on the line, the biggest difference between the 2017 Chiefs and the team that lost to the Steelers is the health of their all pro linebackers. Derrick Johnson and Justin Houston are two of the best linebackers in the league against the run, and neither where at 100% against the Steelers.

Johnson’s experience as the elder statesman of the defense and four time pro bowler is undeniable. His ability to read the defense and fly to the point of attack makes him one of the best run stuffing MLB in the league. His speed allows him to flow sideline to sideline as long as the DL keeps the offensive line off him.

Houston is best known for his ability to put pressure on the quarterback, but he is just as important in the run game. The way he sets the edge makes any offensive coordinator second guess running his way. With him at full strength he’ll stuff the outside runs and force them back to the middle and waiting arms of Johnson and Ragland. As long as Houston is 100% healthy, teams will run away from him.

Related Story: Chiefs are making low-risk, high-reward moves

The Chiefs will only go as far as the defense will take them in 2017. If they want to take them beyond the first game they can’t just be the bend don’t break defense we saw last year. This defense needs to be a top three defense in the league and one that doesn’t bend at all and just breaks the other team’s will. We already know the pass defense is devastating as long as Terrance Mitchell is healthy. If the offseason changes by Dorsey and Veach can get the run defense to that level, then you are talking about a team that can compete for a Super Bowl.