How does this year’s Kansas City Chiefs roster compare with 2017?
By Drew Brooks
2017 defensive line: Bennie Logan, Chris Jones, Jarvis Jenkins, Roy Miller, Allen Bailey, Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Tanoh Kpassagnon
2018 defensive line: Xavier Williams, Chris Jones, Jarvis Jenkins, Justin Hamilton, Allen Bailey, Derrick Nnadi
Only three players on last year’s defensive line made it onto this year’s 53-man roster. Chris Jones, Jarvis Jenkins, and Allen Bailey all made it back on the roster this year, and have plenty of new faces next to them. Tanoh Kpassagnon is still on the team, but he transitioned to linebacker last season.
The Chiefs lose Bennie Logan, who started everywhere on the Chiefs’ defense line last year. While he was with the Chiefs, he played in 15 games and started 12. He amassed 1.5 sacks, 35 unassisted tackles, and 17 assisted tackles during this time. In replacement of Logan, the Chiefs signed Xavier Williams, a defensive tackle who was born in Grandview, Missouri. Williams played in 11 games last season, including 1 start. He made 16 unassisted tackles and 4 assisted tackles. Williams will be looking to play next to Derrick Nnadi or Justin Hamilton.
Derrick Nnadi was the Chiefs’ third-round draft pick in the 2018 draft. Nnadi, a product of the Florida State Seminoles, started all 13 games and made 53 tackles. Nnadi presents a lot of talent for the Chiefs and has a great shot at starting next to Xavier Williams or Justin Hamilton
Justin Hamilton is a second-year defensive tackle who signed with the Chiefs last December. He didn’t see much playing time last year, but he’s going to be looking to earn more playing time this year along with Xavier Williams and Derrick Nnadi.
On the edge, the Chiefs lost Rakeem Nunez-Roches. Roches, in his third season with the Chiefs last year, played at defensive end and nose tackle. He played in all 16 of the Chiefs’ games, starting 11. He noticed half a sack, 13 unassisted tackles, and 11 assisted tackles.