Defensive line options for the Chiefs after losing Chris Jones
First on the list is former rookie free agent Mike Pennel Jr. Pennel has played in 69 games in his five-year NFL career. Pennel played for three seasons in Green Bay before spending the last two years as a member of the New York Jets, with whom he appeared in all 32 games played in that span.
As a free agent this summer, the 28-year-old defensive tackle signed a 2 year, $8 million contract with the New England Patriots. However, he was part of the Patriots final set of roster cuts in late August.
Originally from Topeka, Kansas, Pennel played college ball at Arizona State before finding his way to the NFL. He’s not a pass rusher, but Spagnuolo doesn’t look for his nose tackle to generate a pass rush, opting instead to have them consume space in the middle and stuff the run, which happen to be where the 6’4″, 320lb Pennel excels the most.
It was surprising to see the Patriots cut him at the end of the preseason, and its even more of a surprise that he’s still a free agent five weeks in to the season. With Xavier Williams likely looking at extended time out, Pennel would be a great addition to the Chiefs defensive line rotation.