KC Chiefs likely to sign a veteran pass rusher after NFL draft’s first round

Entering the 2021 NFL Draft, one of the K.C. Chiefs‘ biggest holes is at defensive end opposite starter Frank Clark. The Chiefs will return Taco Charlton and Mike Danna, but they could use another body on the edge.

The Chiefs hosted former Los Angeles Chargers pass rusher Melvin Ingram in late March for a free agent visit, but the sides did not agree to terms. Many have speculated that former Chiefs edge rusher Justin Houston, who is also a free agent, could return to the franchise that drafted him. Yet if a reunion were to happen, it seems as though it would have happened already.

As the dust settled around the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, however, suddenly the Chiefs appear to be a good market for the veteran pass rushers.

With the 21st overall pick on Thursday night, the Indianapolis Colts had the opportunity to help out new signal caller Carson Wentz by tabbing a replacement for retired left tackle Anthony Castonzo. Offensive tackles Christian Darrisaw and Teven Jenkins were on the board for general manager Chris Ballard and the Colts. Surprisingly, they went defensive line instead, selecting Michigan edge Kwity Paye.

The NFL draft’s first round might have forced the Chiefs to look at a veteran pass rusher.

A bit later in the first round, Jenkins was still on the board for the Baltimore Ravens at multiple spots—including the Chiefs original draft slot at No. 31— but Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta spurned the opportunity to replace Orlando Brown Jr., and instead selected wide receiver Rashod Bateman and defensive end Jayson Oweh.

The first round picks leave a free agent like the 32-year-old Houston with a lot less leverage at this juncture in the offseason. Paye’s presence on the Colts’ roster almost certainly slams the door on a return to Indianapolis. Furthermore, there has been plenty of speculation that the Ravens were one of the top landing places for Houston if he chose to leave the Colts.

The biggest question at this point is whether any bridges have been burned, or if there is a door open for Houston to return to Kansas City. If there is a mutual interest, the odds certainly increased on Thursday night. And if not, the Chiefs are certainly looking like a team more likely to sign a veteran here than they were before.