Carlos Dunlap is favored free agent for KC Chiefs pass rush

If the Kansas City Chiefs are going to make another move in free agency before the 2022 season begins, there is one name at one position that remains the favorite above any other at this: defensive end Carlos Dunlap.

Over the last few months, fans in Chiefs Kingdom have watched and waited for the team to completely rebuild the edge rush after speaking about the importance of doing so early in the offseason. However, the team’s defensive efforts were largely concentrated on the secondary in both free agency (Justin Reid) and the draft (Trent McDuffie was among five defensive backs selected).

Yes, the Chiefs brought George Karlaftis on board in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but they also watched Melvin Ingram sign with the Miami Dolphins. Karlaftis should serve as a Week 1 starter opposite Frank Clark, who restructured his deal to play another season in K.C., but depth is non-existent on this team other than optimistic projections—which is no way to head into a regular season.

Free agent Carlos Dunlap is the favored option on the open market for most when it comes to the Kansas City Chiefs’ pass rush woes.

The lack of another veteran signing like Ingram has fans hungry to see someone brought into the role, but the Chiefs have seemed reticent to pay anyone to enter the mix so far. Every recognizable name in free agency has been signed for the most part, and any desirable asset on the trade block has been spoken for. It’s akin to someone going to a dance who has no intention of ever stepping onto the actual floor.

Given the sad list of names left, there’s really only one player who gets people talking with any level of excitement (and even that is measured), and that’s Dunlap. Fans have been calling for Dunlap for weeks and perhaps even months, and even Doug Kyed at Pro Football Focus wrote about the connection the other day. When listing the one remaining move that each team should make, he had Dunlap signing with the Chiefs.

"They could use another rotational rusher, and Dunlap, 33, was efficient for Seattle last season with a 72.1 overall defensive grade, 15.3 percent pass-rush win rate."

Kyed is exactly right in labeling the Chiefs’ needs. They don’t need a starter because Clark is being paid like one and Karlafis deserves the reps. Mike Danna can provide some solid snaps, and there’s still room for Joshua Kaindoh or Malik Herring to turn into something. However, that leaves absolutely zero room for any injuries or inconsistency, and very few things ever turn out as hoped/expected in the NFL. That means the Chiefs have to sign someone.

Last season, Dunlap had a very respectable 8.5 sacks for the Seattle Seahawks, and he’s never had less than five sacks in a single season since 2011. While he’s getting older, he’s clearly leveraging his intelligence and experience to stay relevant and productive, and the Chiefs have every reason to believe he can still give a team meaningful work. Given the need and competition, Dunlap is the favored free agent. If only it seems the Chiefs felt the same.