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K.C. Chiefs: Pass rushing targets to chase in NFL free agency

By Jordan Mannix

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 20: Philip Rivers #17 and Justin Houston #50 of the Indianapolis Colts on the sidelines before the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 20: Philip Rivers #17 and Justin Houston #50 of the Indianapolis Colts on the sidelines before the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Chiefs, Carlos Dunlap
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JANUARY 09: Carlos Dunlap #43 of the Seattle Seahawks lines up for play in the second quarter against the Los Angeles Rams during the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at Lumen Field on January 09, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) (Chiefs) /

It’s no secret, by now at least, that the K.C. Chiefs number one priority in this NFL free agency period is solidifying the fortress between opposing defenses and Patrick Mahomes. It’s unlikely they are done, especially after losing the bidding war for Trent Williams. Even so, there are other areas on the team that need an upgrade.

Outside of re-signing Taco Charlton, there has been little in the news regarding a bookend to go opposite Frank Clark. With the lack of pass rushing production from the opposite end, and the whole defensive line for that matter, Clark struggled this season. Some of that was on him, but some of that definitely came from the fact teams could focus the majority of their edge protection on his side of the ball.

Despite the early rush for free agents and the primetime players coming off the board there are still a few players who would help tip the scales and improve the Chiefs pass rushing unit in the coming season.

Carlos Dunlap

Carlos Dunlap has had a productive career, if not a fairly good one, tallying 87.5 sacks and 109 tackles for loss in 12 seasons. He’s on the other side of 30, which can at times be a signal of a player’s impending decline, but he still appears to have some gas left in the tank.

In the last five seasons he’s averaged nearly eight sacks and 10 tackles for loss per season. While this isn’t jaw dropping production by any means, it’s the type of production you’d hope for from a second or third pass rusher along the line.

Dunlap is a veteran, someone that the Chiefs could likely have for a reasonable price, and someone they could count on for consistent production on the opposite of Clark. If he’s available after they’ve filled their offensive line needs, they should absolutely take a look.

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