Melvin Ingram signing would be a big pre-draft boost for Chiefs

At this point, the Kansas City Chiefs have fans feeling desperate about the state of things at edge rusher. What was already a problematic position in 2022 has only gotten worse in the ensuing offseason despite a pronouncement from the front office that the position would be a focal point of activity.

The Chiefs did manage to keep Frank Clark from walking for nothing (and costing the team a considerable amount in the process). Instead, Clark is back at a discounted rate that was restructured that at least gives the team a familiar face on one side, even if he’s struggled to stay healthy for long stretches in the regular season.

As for the other side, veteran Melvin Ingram hit free agency along with Alex Okafor, leaving the Chiefs with only Michael Danna and Joshua Kaindoh as edge options coming into a new season. And given that most of this year’s best (or even better) options have already signed with someone else (or have been traded for), the Chiefs look like they’re the team left standing in musical chairs.

If the Kansas City Chiefs could convince Melvin Ingram to join them before the draft gets underway, it would be a big boost for the team.

The good news is that the Chiefs have 12 picks with which to lay a considerable youth movement on the defense, but that does little to help the team’s wide-open window to chase another Super Bowl appearance. Rookies take time to adjust to the pros, especially at defensive end, and the Chiefs aren’t scheduled to make their first selection until the end of the first round.

What would help the Chiefs considerably at this point is if Ingram was amenable to making his decision about the coming season before the draft, which would give the Chiefs a proven presence on both sides—even if the need was still just as great on paper for an infusion of young talent.

Last season, Ingram waited until the eve of training camp to go with the Pittsburgh Steelers over the Chiefs. If Ingram does so again, the Chiefs will be playing with fire, so to speak, as they wait and hope that Ingram signs with them for another run. Yet another team could easily cut them off given the clear need for K.C., and Ingram would also know he holds considerable leverage as one of the very last solid players left on the market..

The Chiefs will have a chance to grab a veteran before active rosters are due and the NFL trade deadline will be another key moment for the team to address a need. However, the signing of Ingram would at least give them two productive vets to go with Danna and Kaindoh along with a few new imports.

Without Ingram, the edge position looks like it might currently feature the worst position group in the NFL before the draft. If the Chiefs want to avoid feeling the desperation, a decision from Ingram would sure look nice this time of year.