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Reviewing KC Chiefs rookies three weeks into the 2022 season

By Lucas Strozinsky

Sep 25, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Skyy Moore (24) fumbles the ball during a kick return during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Skyy Moore (24) fumbles the ball during a kick return during the first quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /
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George Karlaftis #56 of the Kansas City Chiefs  (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
George Karlaftis #56 of the Kansas City Chiefs  (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

George Karlaftis, Defensive End (Round 1, Pick 30)

After the 2022 NFL Draft, it was a valid belief that George Karlaftis was the most important player in the Chiefs’ rookie class, due to their weakness at pass rush in previous seasons. Personally, Karlaftis was my favorite draft pick, since I viewed him as a Top 15 pick in the draft and Kansas City managed to snag him at 30th overall. At the same time, I will say that Karlaftis’ overall play this season has been just a little disappointing.

Don’t get me wrong, I still love him long-term but his overall quality of play in the 2022 regular season has been underwhelming. He’s been overmatched defending the run and he hasn’t quite gotten after the quarterback as much as Chiefs fans have hoped. He has flashed with ten total pressures (8 hurries and 2 QB hits) and two batted balls in 105 pass rushing snaps, for a pass rushing grade of 60.5 and an overall grade of 52.1, per PFF ($). What I’m saying is that the flashes are there but the down-to-down consistency is not. He only recorded 1 pressure in 30 pass-rushing opportunities against the Colts, which is not going to cut it come playoff time.

I have little doubt that George Karlaftis is going to be a starting-caliber player for the Kansas City Chiefs in the future but he may be a secondary option in the early part of the regular season. He will get better as the season goes on and should be an asset when the Chiefs are competing for their third Super Bowl victory in franchise history.

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