Most unsettled Chiefs position groups ahead of final roster moves
By Jacob Milham
Interior defensive line
The 2021 Chiefs defense fielded one of the league’s worst defensive line units. While the unit is still top-heavy, there are several important depth decisions to make.
Don’t worry, this isn’t going beyond the bottom two or three positions on the defensive line depth chart. Defensive tackles Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi, and Tershawn Wharton will see plenty of snaps in 2022. But, their backups could be one of many players currently rostered.
Defensive tackle specifically has a lot of different outcomes. Taylor Stallworth was an underrated acquisition in the offseason, but has he done enough to make the 53-man roster? He does have two sacks in three preseason games, but his preseason performance as a whole doesn’t feel stellar. Alongside Stallworth, Khalen Saunders and Danny Shelton have their own cases to make the roster. Both players bring unique usel sets and uses, but which will the Chiefs prioritize?
Taylor Stallworth is in the middle of a position battle for the backup nose tackle spot. He does a nice job of penetrating here and coming up with the TFL on third down. He will have a chance to play his way on to the roster. pic.twitter.com/9Tqp16whKG
— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) August 14, 2022
Saunders has all the athleticism in the world, but his Kansas City tenure has been lackluster. Injuries have derailed his progression time and time again, and now Saunders is in a contract year. On the other hand, Shelton joined the Chiefs mid-training camp, and it is hard to miss him. The former first-round selection is a mountain of a man, eating blocks like they are Tic-Tacs. But, his blocking-eating and run-stopping earned him a terrible 41.8 grade against the Green Bay Packers, according to PFFcision clearly comes down to the Chiefs’ coaching staff’s preference. But, the group of Stallworth, Saunders, and Shelton, are all in the mix for the 53-man roster.