KC Chiefs have options to add some pass rush depth
The Big Name Options
These three free agent options would definitely be the most buzz worthy signings. All three have been really successful in the past and would add another proven starter to the mix, but are they the right fit for the Chiefs? For each player I’ll include their age, height/weight, sacks and games played for the past three seasons, and their Pro Football Focus grades (overall, pass rush, and run defense).
- 32 years old
- 6-foot-2 and 247 pounds
- 2020: 0 sacks/7games, 2019: 7 sacks/13 games, 2018: 7 sacks/16 games
- 2020 PFF Grades: 72.3 overall, 76.3 pass rush, 53.8 run defense
Melvin Ingram may be the only player available that the average fan still thinks of as a big time pass rusher. The only problem is that reputation may no longer be warranted. He missed more than half of last season after suffering and then reaggravating a patella sprain in his knee. If healthy, Ingram would definitely add some pass rush help, but if he’s looking for a large payday, his production may no longer warrant it. You throw in the fact that he’s a little undersized for a 4-3 defensive end and you may just not have a great fit for KC. The Chiefs did bring Ingram in for a visit, but he obviously remains unsigned. Perhaps he was asking for too much. Maybe they didn’t like how his medicals checked out, or maybe they just didn’t think it was a good fit overall. I still wouldn’t hate this signing, I’m just not sure this is the best fit for the Chiefs when taking everything into account.
- 32 years old
- 6-foot-3 and 258 pounds
- 2020: 8 sacks/16 games, 2019: 11 sacks/16 games, 2018: 9 sacks/12 games
- 2020 PFF Grades: 62.9 overall, 63.2 pass rush, 61.1 run defense
Justin Houston is going to see his name in the Kansas City Chiefs Ring of Honor someday, but is it possible that the Chiefs could bring him back for one more go around before that day comes? The two biggest questions with Houston is if he would even consider a return to KC after possibly not liking how things ended a couple of years ago and if he is looking for the biggest payday possible. If Houston is open to coming back and isn’t looking to break the bank then this could be a match made in heaven. Houston isn’t what he was in his prime, but he’s still a solid NFL starter and would add a strong veteran presence to this group. I would love it if this actually happened, I just think that taking a pay cut to come back to the team that gave up on him before to be more of a rotational depth piece may not be his first choice.
- 30 years old
- 6-foot-2 and 262 pounds
- 2020: 9 sacks/14 games, 2019: 3.5 sacks/10 games, 2018: 7 sacks/11 games
- 2020 PFF Grades: 74.8 overall, 71.6 pass rush, 71.6 run defense
Olivier Vernon may not be as recognizable of name as the first two guys in this tier, but you can make a very strong case that he was clearly the best of the three on the field last season. He had nine sacks and graded equally good against both the run and as a pass rusher with Pro Football Focus.
Frankly, Vernon would likely have already been snatched up in free agency if he hadn’t torn his Achilles at the very end of last season. His recovery time table is very similar to Eric Fisher’s, with it being likely that he may not be ready to start the season. Even if he is, there is a question if he’ll athletically be able to match his play from before the injury right away.
Vernon would be a great signing for the Chiefs with the playoffs in mind, but he certainly couldn’t be counted on early in the season. Another thought could be that if the Chiefs could get him in house this season, maybe they could bring him back in 2022 if he’s back to full strength and they are looking to get out from under the rest of Clark’s massive contract.
Next up, let’s look at some free agents that could be solid starters if needed, but aren’t quite as big of names and shouldn’t cost quite as much as this first tier.