2022 NFL Draft: Edge rushers worth targeting by KC Chiefs

Josh Paschal – Kentucky

• 6-foot-3
• 268 pounds
• 32.75-inch arms
• 4.77 forty

I really like Kentucky’s Josh Paschal. He’s not an outside speed rusher, which I know will turn some people away, but I truly believe he can be a three-down player in the NFL, even as a rookie. Paschal is stout and strong for an edge prospect. He’s the shortest player on this list by about an inch, but he’s also the heaviest. As you might expect, Paschal isn’t someone with great flexibility around the edge, instead, he bullies the offensive lineman with his powerful leg drive and good hands.

Like Thomas, Paschal could be used all over the defensive line. That versatility should make him appealing to Steve Spagnuolo as well. Paschal could be the starting defensive end in the base formation and help shut down the run and then kick inside and rush on the interior on passing downs. While he doesn’t have the elite edge rusher ceiling, I believe he’ll be a very valuable contributor to the overall defensive front and have a long and successful NFL career. He just may never be an All-Pro caliber guy. He’s also a cancer survivor and has the reputation of being the heart of the locker room. He’s just a guy you want on your team. Period.

Paschal would be a steal at pick #62 for the Chiefs, but if they haven’t landed an edge player yet by pick #50 I don’t think I’d risk letting him slide by that point. I also like the idea of doubling down on the edge position early and taking Boye Mafe in the first and then possibly Paschal at pick #62. The two of them would compliment each other well as rookies, with Paschal handling the early-down work and stopping the run and Mafe coming in as a situational pass rusher.

Don’t Just Take My Word For It

I think this quote from Dane Brugler’s Draft Guide gives a nice overview of Paschal:

"Paschal is a smart, technically sound defender with the body type and balanced athleticism to shut down the run. He has the physical hands and quickness to defeat blockers as a pass rusher, but he struggles to bend the corner or win at the top of his rush."

In the tweet below you can see some of the traits that make Paschal strong against the run. He holds his ground while he diagnoses the play, chucks the blocker out of the way, and then has the athleticism to get to the ball carrier.

Check out Paschal’s highlights HERE.

So what do you think Chiefs fans? Do you like these five prospects as guys that the Chiefs should target in the first 50 picks of the draft at the edge position? Do you agree that the Chiefs really need to land one of these five guys if they haven’t signed anyone by the time the draft rolls around? Are there other players that you think should have made the list over them? I’d love to read your thoughts in the comments below.

If you liked this post you can check out more of my draft content below.

• Chiefs first round wide receiver targets
• Chiefs mid-round running back targets
• Chiefs mid-round cornerback targets