Kansas City Chiefs draft needs: The top 20 edge prospects

The Best of the Rest of the Draft’s Edge Rushers

If the Chiefs are still looking to add someone to their edge group on day three of the draft these options include a few more Spags-style bigger ends and a couple of pass-rush specialists.

16. Byron Young – Tennessee – 6’2″ – 250 lbs – 32 1/2″ arms

I love Byron Young. He’s got a fantastic story, but because of his unusual path to big-time college football, he’s going to be 25 when the season starts. He’s also below every Spagnuolo size benchmark. However, if K.C. wanted to add a pure pass rusher in the 3rd or 4th round, Young would be a great pick. He ran a blazing 4.43 forty at the NFL Combine and that closing speed shows up on his tape. He’s old and he’ll never be an every-down defensive end, but if you just want some cheap pass rush juice on clear passing downs, Young is your guy.

17. Isaiah McGuire – Missouri – 6’4″ – 268 lbs – 33 7/8″ arms

Looking for a prototype Spagnuolo defensive end on day three? Isaiah McGuire is your guy. He meets every size benchmark, he’s solid against the run, and he has enough athleticism and flexibility for a guy his size that there is some pass rush upside there. I would be shocked if McGuire isn’t a guy that K.C. would target early on day three.

18. KJ Henry – Clemson – 6’4″ – 251 lbs – 33″ arms

KJ Henry is a guy with intriguing physical tools that never really put it all together at Clemson. He’s a solid rotational run-stopper with some pass-rush upside if a coaching staff thinks they can unlock his potential. He’d be a fine day-three flier, but I have some doubts about his pass rush success in the NFL.

19. YaYa Diaby – Louisville – 6’3″ – 263 lbs – 33 7/8″ arms

I think YaYa Diaby is another day-three guy that could appeal to Steve Spagnuolo. He has the size and power he looks for with some pass-rush upside. Diaby isn’t as good against the run as you’d like an edge his size to be and he doesn’t really have any pass-rush moves. He does have the natural size/power/burst that you can’t teach though, so if KC thinks they can develop him he could be a guy they target.

20. Jose Ramirez – Eastern Michigan – 6’2″ – 242 lbs – 32 3/4″ arms

If K.C. misses out on Byron Young early on day three, but wants to add a designated pass rusher late in the draft, Jose Ramirez is a possibility. Like Young, Ramirez doesn’t meet the size thresholds to play on early downs, but he did put up 12 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss last season. He’ll never be an every-down player, but he could offer some special teams upside in addition to being a pass rush specialist. KC reportedly had a virtual meeting with Ramirez recently which at least shows they are doing their homework on him.

So there you have it Chiefs fans: Twenty edge prospects for the Chiefs to consider in the draft later this month. Which prospects do you like? Do you think they’ll stick to guys that fit the typical Spagnuolo mold? I’d love to read your thoughts in the comments below.

You can find my other draft-related posts below.

• KC Chiefs Draft Needs: The Top 25 Wide Receiver Prospects
• Early Round Defensive Tackle Prospects for the Kansas City Chiefs
• You can also catch me talking about the draft on the latest episode of the Arrowhead Addict Podcast.