Kansas City Chiefs trade deadline targets to improve the defense

Samson Ebukam

Another edge rusher who could help out in Kansas City would be San Francisco defensive end Samson Ebukam. The durable pass rusher has never missed a game in his five-year career.

Ebukam was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams but left for their division rival 49ers this past offseason when he signed a two-year, $12 million contract. Thus far, things haven’t worked out so well in his new uniform. Ebukam played 44 snaps in Week 1 against the Lions, but since that game, he hasn’t topped 22 snaps. The 49ers boast a plethora of skilled players on the edge, and the Nigerian-born Ebukam hasn’t been able to step out of the shadows of teammates Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, and Kentavius Street.

At 6’3″ 245 lbs, Ebukam is a little smaller than what the Chiefs look for in defensive ends. But he’s a skilled pass rusher with another year and a half of team control left on his deal. The Chiefs could use any kind of boost they can get on the line, so if the Niners are looking to capitalize on their riches at defensive end, the Chiefs could be one of the teams they call.

Ebukam is also the answer to what will almost assuredly be an excellent trivia question for years to come: Who was the first player to return an interception for a touchdown against Patrick Mahomes?

Projected Compensation

Ebukam could be had for a late Day 3 pick.