KC Chiefs snap counts reveal some questionable roster decisions vs. Titans
By Matt Conner
The latest snap counts are out for the Kansas City Chiefs’ most recent loss in Week 7 against the Tennessee Titans and some of the statistics are telling. It doesn’t mean that the number of reps given to particular players (or not given) made the difference in a game in which the Chiefs were embarrassed by 24 points. However, it does mean that what we’re seeing as fans and what the Chiefs are employing as a team seem incongruent in places.
Let’s look at this week’s snap counts and see the questions that we’re left with after another frustrating week for Chiefs Kingdom. Let’s start with the defense.
Nick Bolton
When the Chiefs drafted Nick Bolton in the second round last spring, the assumption was that he would eventually man the Mike linebacker position in K.C. after the team let Anthony Hitchens go after a year or so. Hitchens has a significant cap hit and a ceiling that Bolton should be able to match for much cheaper.
Given Hitchens’ recent injury to his triceps, the opportunity came for Bolton came a bit earlier than expected. Instead of playing next to him on the field, Bolton took over for Hitchens in the heart of the defense and played inspired football on a day where the rest of the Chiefs roster disappointed. Bolton drew rave reviews for his work against the Titans and that was in a losing effort. The Chiefs run defense did show up on Sunday and Bolton was a big part of that. Here’s hoping he retains this starting spot for the rest of the year, because the Chiefs need to figure out something else for Hitchens to do.
Mike Danna
The defensive front for the Chiefs has had a single player look like he’s worthy of keeping long-term as a disruptor and edge setter and that’s former fifth-round pick Mike Danna. In the wake of injuries to both Chris Jones and Frank Clark, Danna has subbed in as a starter and looked excellent doing so. He’s a well-round player who was growing every week until he was relegated back to the bench by Clark’s return and the Chiefs’ insistence that Jones play outside rather than inside.
On Sunday, Danna was back to playing 54 percent of all defensive snaps while playing less reps than both Clark and Jones. If there’s anything the Chiefs should have learned up front in those first several weeks together is that Danna deserves every snap you can give him. If that means less time for a $20 million player up front, then that’s a front office issue.