Kansas City Chiefs draft needs: The top 20 edge prospects

The Chiefs Edge-Rushing Options at Pick #31

One of the problems with the next tier of edge players in this class is that most of them don’t meet all the thresholds of a Spagnuolo defensive end. Are some of them close enough? Would the Chiefs make an exception if they liked certain traits enough? Time will tell.

6. Will McDonald – Iowa State – 6’4″ – 239 lbs – 34 7/8″ arms

Will McDonald is my personal favorite edge prospect for the Chiefs. The problem is that he’s way too light for a typical Spags edge. However, I believe that he’s an elite pure pass rusher off the edge and that is something that KC doesn’t currently have. He’s got fantastic bend around the edge and great closing speed. His length is good but he likely wouldn’t be an every-down player. He’s also a little old, turning 24 before the season starts. I still think he’s worth the pick because he could give the Chiefs double-digit sacks for the next five seasons.

7. Felix Anudike-Uzomah – Kansas State – 6’3″ – 255 lbs – 33 1/2″ arms

If the Chiefs won’t consider Will McDonald, then local prospect Felix Anudike-Uzomah would be my next choice. He’s much more powerful and stout, although he’s still a little lighter than Spagnuolo prefers. However, despite his more powerful build, Anudike-Uzomah is still a very good outside pass rusher. He’s got some bend around the edge and despite being just 21 he’s already developing a solid pass-rush arsenal. He’d be a great pick at #31.

8. Isaiah Foskey – Notre Dame – 6’5″ – 264 lbs – 34″ arms

Out of the five edge prospects in this tier, Isaiah Foskey is the only one that meets all three of Spags criteria for edge players. He was a very productive pass rusher at Notre Dame. He isn’t as bendy around the edge, but Foskey finds success beating tackles on the edge by keeping himself clean with his powerful long arms. He jolts tackles and uses that split second to get around them. If KC thinks he can continue to do that to NFL tackles he could be the pick at #31.

9. BJ Ojulari – LSU – 6’2″ – 248 lbs – 34 1/4″ arms

I like BJ Ojulari as an outside pass rusher, but he definitely doesn’t fit the Spags mold. Unlike Will McDonald who is light, but has defensive end length, Ojulari looks more like an outside linebacker. He isn’t as special trait-wise as someone like Nolan Smith, so I just don’t know if KC will think he’s worth going against their type for in the first round. That having been said, his upside as a pure pass rusher would be a welcome addition to KC’s edge rotation.

10. Derick Hall – Auburn – 6’3″ – 254 lbs – 34 1/2″ arms

I really like Derick Hall’s film. He’s very powerful and has a non-stop motor. Like Anudike-Uzomah, he’s just a little on the light side but just meets the other Spagnuolo criteria. I can’t explain why because they’re the same size, but Hall looks/moves more like a linebacker than Anudike-Uzomah. He’s still good against the run for a guy his size and flashes some pass-rush upside. While Hall isn’t my first choice, he is the last edge player I would be okay with the Chiefs taking in the first round and it wouldn’t shock me if KC viewed him as someone that could eventually be a Frank Clark-type player.

Now let’s take a look at some day two edge prospects.