KC Chiefs could bolster defensive line with Oklahoma’s Perrion Winfrey

When the Kansas City Chiefs signed defensive tackle Jarran Reed last year, they thought they were getting a really good player on an inexpensive one-year deal. While Reed came on towards the end of the season, he never quite lived up to expectations.

The Chiefs had hoped Reed would be a big enough impact to justify moving Chris Jones around more and take some attention away from him and make his job easier. They had the right idea when they signed Reed, the player just didn’t pan out. That said, Kansas City shouldn’t quit trying to upgrade the interior defensive line.

They signed former Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Taylor Stallworth this past week, but that shouldn’t preclude them from picking up one of the many stud defensive tackles in this year’s NFL draft if they’re available.

Oklahoma defensive lineman Perrion Winfrey could give KC Chiefs pass-rush help.

Jordan Davis and Devonte Wyatt of Georgia are getting most of the hype in this year’s draft cycle but there are some other athletic freaks on the interior in this draft that could pique the interest of many Chiefs fans.

Oklahoma’s Perrion Winfrey could be a perfect fit for the pass-rush needy Chiefs, and while he may not be the edge prospect that everyone is hoping the team grabs, he has experience playing just about every spot on the defensive line. Fans shouldn’t really care where the pass-rush comes from as long as they get it.

If the Chiefs could snag a player like Winfrey then they could have one of the best interior pass-rushes in the league for years to come. Giving Jones a pass-rushing partner who other teams truly fear would be a huge benefit not just to Jones, but to the defensive line overall.

Why would Winfrey be that guy? Winfrey plays very strong and is able to penetrate blockers with ease due to his first step, motor, and frame. He had 5.5 sacks this past season from the interior for Oklahoma. His athleticism jumps off the screen, and while everyone was talking about Jordan Davis’ combine performance, Winfrey was right up there with him in terms of athleticism.

That athleticism allows Winfrey to be a difficult block for offensive linemen and he is able to easily leverage his blockers to get into the backfield and disrupt plays. When Winfrey is closing in on the quarterback as a pass-rusher he comes down hard and really uses his arms to wrap up and try to knock the ball out which is how he was able to force a few fumbles throughout his college career.

Winfrey has been flying up mock drafts since the Senior Bowl where he dominated some of the other best draft prospects and while he still isn’t someone the Chiefs should draft in the first round, if he is available at either of their second-round picks he should warrant serious consideration especially if the edge has already been addressed by that time. A defensive line haul in the draft that includes Winfrey and an edge would be a good step forward in improving the pass-rush.