The four biggest roster questions for the Kansas City Chiefs

Defensive End

If there is one position that I am the most concerned about on the roster it is defensive end. While there are other positions with questions, the one that was the biggest issue last season is defensive end and they just haven’t done much this offseason to improve things.

I could do an entire post on how K.C.’s outside pass rush has been a disappointment, but the bottom line is they just aren’t getting enough production there. Frank Clark hasn’t lived up to his mega-contract and it’s only been worse on the opposite side. Last season, the Chiefs only managed 12.5 total sacks from their four top edge players (Clark, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Mike Danna, and Alex Okafor). That’s just not good enough. Period.

It seems like the Chiefs are hoping that Taco Charlton can stay healthy and productive. Charlton had 2 sacks last season as a part time player in seven games. While I think Charlton could have a role in a rotation, I just don’t feel like he’s the answer to all the Chiefs outside pass rush woes.

Mike Danna was a guy I didn’t think would see the field a lot as a rookie, but he actually was a pleasant surprise. I thought he looked better than expected at setting the edge, but wasn’t a huge force as a pass rusher. Like Charlton, I think he has a place in a rotation, but I don’t know how much pass rush upside there is there.

The Chiefs drafted Joshua Kaindoh in the fourth round and while he has great natural tools, the consensus is that he’s going to need time to get some real coaching and develop into a NFL player. So while I like his long term upside, I don’t think we’ll see him be the answer to the Chiefs woes this season.

The Chiefs recently signed linebacker Kamalei Correa who has had some success as an edge rusher. Correa had five sacks in 2019 for the Tennessee Titans. Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but I think he could be a player that could contribute some in a rotation. However, it seems highly unlikely that he’ll have a major impact.

Are you sensing a pattern here? The Chiefs have a lot of guys that seem like part time contributors and not a solid starter opposite Frank Clark. Maybe someone will step up and earn the spot. Taco Charlton seems like the best option, but I just don’t know how confident I feel about him. Maybe a young guy like Tim Ward will take a big step up and surprise us, but this feels like the position where the Chiefs most need to add someone.

The Chiefs had Melvin Ingram in for a visit early in free agency and adding someone like that before the season would definitely help. In my opinion this is the biggest remaining position of need on the roster.

Finally, let’s talk about the Chiefs’ cornerbacks.