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KC Chiefs: Five interior defensive line options in free agency

By Jacob Milham

Oct 24, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Troy Reeder (51), defensive end Aaron Donald (99), Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day (69) and Los Angeles Rams safety Jordan Fuller (4) during the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2021; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Troy Reeder (51), defensive end Aaron Donald (99), Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day (69) and Los Angeles Rams safety Jordan Fuller (4) during the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 03: Daniel Sorensen #49 and Derrick Nnadi #91 of the Kansas City Chiefs tackle Zach Ertz #86 of the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 3, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 03: Daniel Sorensen #49 and Derrick Nnadi #91 of the Kansas City Chiefs tackle Zach Ertz #86 of the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on October 3, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

The 2022 offseason is in full swing, with the NFL Combine kicking off the festivities. The new league year begins Mar. 16 at 3 p.m. C.T., or when free agency officially begins.

The Kansas City Chiefs have different free agent priorities each season. Last year, overhauling the offensive line dominated offseason priorities, with left guard Joe Thuney being the Chiefs’ biggest free-agent signing. 2022 brings a new set of personnel gaps to fill, primarily on the defensive side of the ball.

The secondary corps is sparse, with safety Tyrann Matthieu and cornerback Charvarius Ward pending free agents. Kansas City cut linebacker Anthony Hitchens, leaving a starter-sized hole. But, the defensive front is set to be thin, with interior defenders Derrick Nnadi and Jarran Reed scheduled to be free agents. Several defensive ends, including Melvin Ingram and Alex Okafor, will also not return or project to not return.

Several Kansas City Chiefs defenders are entering free agency. How will the team fill these looming holes?

Instead of tackling all the positions at once, let’s focus on the interior defensive lineman. Below are the pending free agents from Kansas City:

Derrick Nnadi 

  • 2021 Stats (10 starts, 40% snaps played, 3.0 sacks, 38 total tackles)

Jarran Reed 

  • 2021 Stats (17 starts, 64% snaps played, 2.5 sacks, 43 total tackles)

Neither player had amazing seasons for Kansas City, but are amongst the best available free agents at their position. It is a weak year for signing interior defensive lineman, which is good for the players but bad for Kansas City. Value or cap-friendly signings will keep Kansas City in contention, allowing Kansas City to spend premium money on premium positions.

The offseason starts the march towards another championship. With every move either increasing or decreasing championship chances, what players should the Cheifs pursue?

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