Frank Clark named most overrated player on KC Chiefs roster

A list of the most overrated players on each and every one of the 32 NFL franchises was published at Pro Football Network recently and, at this point, it would be hard for anyone to argue with their choice for the K.C. Chiefs: defensive end Frank Clark.

Even if you’re a bit of a Clark apologist, there’s just no way around the shadow created by the cap hit of $25.8 million. Only six players in the NFL will cost more than that against the salary cap in 2021, and all of them are quarterbacks: Aaron Rodgers of the Packers, Russell Wilson of the Seahawks, Kirk Cousins of the Vikings, Matt Ryan of the Falcons, Jimmy Garoppolo of the 49ers, and Ben Roethlisberger of the Steelers.

That’s part of the argument made for Clark’s stock being overrated by PFN’s James Fragoza who also writes:

"Even outside of his recent troubles with the law, Clark has been an overrated player for the Chiefs. Following three straight seasons with a pressure rate over 10% with the Seahawks, Clark has yet to reach that feat in Kansas City."

Frank Clark has been named the Chiefs most overrated player.

Clark has dealt with a stomach illness and knee concerns for the Chiefs over time, issues which have affected his consistency. Clark has also been a key component along the line at important moments, such as the team’s Super Bowl run in 2019 in which he was a pass rushing force. He has 8 career sacks in the last two postseasons, a total that should thrill fans with the production.

Unfortunately, Clark had a total of 3 sacks in 3 games in the 2020 postseason but only 6 in the entire 15 games played during the regular season. Three years ago, he had 48 pressures in Seattle, good enough for 3 per game, but that total fell to 25 last season for the Chiefs.

Given that no other defender in the game of football costs as much as Clark, and that the total will only climb in each of the next two seasons, it’s hard to think of a single player more overrated on the Chiefs. In order to come out from the shadow of this deal, Clark needs to put together a mammoth campaign in 2021, especially now that he’s been freed up with the signing of Jarran Reed, his former teammate in both Seattle and the University of Michigan, next to him.