Chiefs could find instant defensive help in these DE prospects

The NFL Draft is just around the corner, and after an active free agency, the Chiefs' focus begins to shift to how they can get the most out of draft weekend, less than a month away. Coming into draft weekend, the Chiefs' biggest need likely comes on the defensive line, where they struggled to generate production in 2025. Now, with several key departures via free agency, the Chiefs will look to the draft to bolster their defensive line.

Kansas City lost two key contributors on the edge as Charles Omenihu and Mike Danna headed to free agency, and they have yet to do much to fill the gaps they left behind. The Chiefs saw immense improvements from third-round pick Ashton Gillotte throughout 2025 and will also get a boost as former first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah returns from an injury that kept him out all season.

The Chiefs did invest heavily in another former first-round pick last offseason when they signed George Karlaftis to a four-year, $93 million extension. While he has played well, and there is a lot of potential from other members of the Chiefs' DE room, there is still work to be done to get the defensive line to a comfortable point for Week 1.

Now, to set realistic expectations, fans need to understand what the Chiefs are looking for from their defensive ends. While a lot of teams rely on their EDGE rushers to be aggressive and rush the passer, the Chiefs more often are looking for consistency and discipline. Steve Spagnuolo is often looking to generate pressure up the middle, and consistent play from DEs to contain the quarterback and impact the run game is essential for that to be successful.

This philosophy is why we have seen the Chiefs often target veteran DEs like Carlos Dunlap, Charles Omenihu, or Melvin Ingram. But this offseason, the Chiefs have not made any substantial investments in defensive ends, leading most everyone to believe they will take a big swing on draft day. So, which prospects might Kansas City have their eye on to be Day 1 contributors for their defense?

Rueben Bain Jr., Miami

Rueben Bain Jr. was almost certainly the most dominant defensive lineman in college football and played a huge role in the Miami Hurricanes making the CFB National Championship. At first glance, many may wonder why a player who has never had a 10-plus-sack season is being considered in the top 10, but his film is eye-popping, and his dominant physical skills will be very enticing to the Chiefs’ staff. Bain Jr. has been my top DE throughout the entire draft process, and while there are concerns about his arm length, his movement skills, discipline, and sheer power would make him a great fit.

Akheem Mesidor, Miami

Miami's defensive line was an unstoppable force this season, and no one was able to contain the duo of powerful edge rushers that headlined the Hurricanes’ defense. Many people have even argued that Akheem Mesidor had a better season than his counterpart, Bain, and several analysts believe he will be a first-round pick this offseason. The Chiefs hold two first-round picks and three in the top 40, and it is very likely the Chiefs would consider drafting him, assuming they went another direction with their first selection of the draft.

Gabe Jacas, Illinois

Coming into this season, I had Jacas marked as one of the most underrated players in the 2026 NFL Draft, but now he is starting to get the recognition he deserves. This is a guy who is well known for his athleticism, dominating NFL-level talent in the Big Ten. But racking up 11 sacks this season with Illinois also will not hurt. This season’s performance only verified what I knew about Jacas in the preseason, and his dominant performance at the Senior Bowl helped him solidify himself as a top DE in the 2026 class. Picking Jacas at 29 may be a bit rich for some, but at either 29 or 40, Jacas could be an immediate starter on the Chiefs' DL in 2026.

Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State

Dennis-Sutton had a great junior year but elected to return to Penn State for his senior year, despite recording 8.5 sacks and consistent production against Big Ten competition. His performance was largely overshadowed by Abdul Carter, the third overall pick in last year's draft, but DDS is a big man who is a great edge defender in his own right. He provides consistency and has even been solid in pass coverage, even getting an INT in the 2025 playoffs. He is an elite athlete with the upside to become one of the best DEs in the NFL with the right scheme and development.

Keldric Faulk, Auburn

Athleticism and relentlessness are the two words that showed up the most in my scouting report for Faulk. A former four-star recruit, Faulk uses his hands well, using his long arms to keep offensive linemen from making first contact and maintaining leverage through almost every rep. His movement skills are unmatched for someone of his size, and his relentless mentality in both the pass and run game wears down offensive linemen throughout the game. Faulk may be the best DE in run defense in this year's class, and that consistency will hold a lot of value in the Chiefs' defense. If they got him at the end of the first round, he would immediately bring a boost to the entire defense.