Defensive Ends
Starters: Frank Clark, Taco Charlton
Bench: Mike Danna, Joshua Kaindoh
Practice Squad: Tim Ward
Cut: Austin Edwards, Demone Harris, Malik Herring
Some people may look at my projections at defensive end and feel like there aren’t enough options here. On one hand, I agree and would like to see the Chiefs still possibly sign another edge player before training camp starts. However, while I do think it wouldn’t hurt to add another player here, I’m okay with projecting just four players right now since reports out of OTAs indicated that Chris Jones was getting a lot of reps at defensive end. Jones, Frank Clark, Taco Charlton, and Mike Danna would give the Chiefs four game experienced players to rotate at edge, plus rookie Joshua Kaindoh as a developmental option.
If the Chiefs were to have one more current edge on the active roster, I would guess it would be Tim Ward, but for now I’ve got him on the practice squad. The other thing to factor into the fact that I only have four true defensive ends is that Kamalei Correa, who is listed as a linebacker, has experience as an outside pass rusher. So despite predicting only four true defensive ends on the roster, there are six players on my 53 man roster that may play on the edge at some point.
Speaking of linebackers, let’s look at them next.