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KC Chiefs: Ranking the top offseason needs

By Lucas Strozinsky

October 23, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (57) during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 23, 2022; Santa Clara, California, USA; Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (57) during the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – OCTOBER 24: Defense of the Kansas City Chiefs wait at the line of scrimmage during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on October 24, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Chiefs 27-3. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line

One of the biggest reasons, if not the biggest, for why the Chiefs beat the Bengals in the AFC Championship Game was because their pass rush played well and sacked Joe Burrow five times. The unit played extremely well down the stretch but it has serious questions regarding its short and long-term future.

Chris Jones is incredible but he’ll be negotiating a new contract extension this offseason. Frank Clark is not returning at his current cap number; Carlos Dunlap is aging and is also a free agent; George Karlaftis is still unproven; Mike Danna is a decent rotational player; Tershawn Wharton is coming off a Torn ACL; Khalen Saunders is a free agent; and Derrick Nnadi is not a good pass rusher and is also a pending free agent.

The only players guaranteed to return are George Karlaftis and Mike Danna. Chris Jones should be back, but most fans didn’t expect Tyreek Hill to be traded at this point last year.

The team needs to find a long-term complement to Karlaftis as well as Jones. The latter has been the only consistent pass rusher from the interior on the team for a while and that needs to change. The team also has to find a true run stuffer. Derrick Nnadi’s play really fell off in 2022 and Brandon Williams is getting long in the tooth.

Brett Veach has his work cut out for him as the defensive line is likely in need of a rebuild similar to what the cornerback room saw last season. They need to stop cutting corners and make a real investment behind Karlaftis and Jones. If they can pair their young and talented cornerback room with a ferocious pass rush, the Chiefs’ defense has a great chance to be objectively great.

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