Kansas City Chiefs draft needs: The top 20 edge prospects

Chiefs’ Edge-Rushing Options on Day Two

If the Chiefs don’t pick an edge in the first round, there will likely be several options on day two that fit the Spagnuolo mold. While these players are all a decent match for K.C. and could be a part of their rotation as rookies, they don’t have the pass rush upside that the first-round options do.

11. Keion White – Georgia Tech – 6’5″ – 285 lbs – 34″ arms

I’ve seen a few mock drafts with Keion White slipping into the first round and I just can’t get on board with that. White is an impressive power edge that makes more sense as a 3-4 defensive end to me. He could play base 4-3 end on early downs but would have to kick inside on passing downs. He actually reminds me of a stronger version of Tanoh Kpassagnon.

12. Tuli Tuipulotu – USC – 6’3″ – 266 lbs – 32 1/4″ arms

Tuli Tuipulotu was a highly productive player for USC while playing all over their defensive front. That will obviously appeal to Spagnuolo. Tuipulotu has a lot of power to his game, but his length is questionable with him just meeting the height requirement and his arms being a little shorter than they prefer. Still, he has proven he can be effective on the interior while still having enough explosion to his game to play on the outside as well. I think he’s a guy that will appeal to the Chiefs in the 2nd round.

13. Adetomwa Adebawore – Northwestern – 6’2″ – 282 lbs – 33 7/8″ arms

Adetomwa Adebawore might be the guy whose stock exploded the most at the NFL Combine. In fact, he was one of the fastest interior defenders in the history of the combine. I almost didn’t include him on this list because I don’t see him as an edge player. I think he’s either a 3-4 defensive end or an interior pass rush specialist, but you will see him on a lot of lists of edge prospects. Maybe I’m wrong, but I feel like the Chiefs need someone that’s more of a true edge player for their rotation. That having been said, maybe the Chiefs would look at him as someone that could serve as insurance as an interior rusher if they don’t end up working out a Chris Jones extension.

14. Andre Carter – Army – 6’7″ – 256 lbs – 33 3/8″ arms

Andre Carter is a player with intriguing length and speed, but his tape shows that he is going to be a long-term project. Right now Carter doesn’t have the power to go with his length and consistently loses the leverage battle because of it. If he can improve his play strength and develop some actual pass-rush moves to go with his speed he could be really great. If he doesn’t, he could be out of the NFL altogether in a couple of years. I think someone will gamble a day-two pick on Carter, I would prefer KC target someone else in that area. If Carter were to fall into day three then I think he becomes worth a flier.

15. Zach Harrison – Ohio State – 6’6″ – 274 lbs – 36 1/4″ arms

If you were looking for a day two edge project with Steve Spagnuolo’s stamp of approval, this is your guy. Harrison looks like Spags created him in a lab with incredible length and freakishly long arms. While his physical profile is tempting, his production in college left a little to be desired. I don’t know if Harrison will ever put it all together as a pass rusher, but he has flashes where it looks like he has it in him. The worst case scenario is that he’s someone that could play base end in a rotation and could even be moved around the line on passing downs.

Finally, let’s take a look at the best of the remaining options.