Chiefs defensive tackle overhaul could change everything for Chris Jones

Building the defensive line was a top priority for Brett Veach and the Chiefs this offseason. Getting help alongside future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Chris Jones was seen as an absolute necessity, and the Chiefs spared no cost when it came to building their defensive line. From free agency to the draft, the Chiefs were aggressive in building their defensive front, and this offseason, the Chiefs' defensive tackle room has been entirely transformed as we head into 2026.

While the Chiefs have several talented players returning to their defensive line, their offseason additions have given this unit a completely new look. In Steve Spagnuolo's defense, defensive tackles are vital to the team's success, and having a versatile unit that can rush the passer and clog run lanes is essential. So, what can fans expect from the Chiefs' defensive tackles in 2026?

Chris Jones

A Hall of Fame lock, Chris Jones has been the face of the Kansas City defense for the better part of a decade. Jones is coming up on 90 career sacks, a number he will more than likely hit this season, and he will almost certainly hit triple digits before the end of his career. Jones is a versatile player who can line up from 1- to 5-tech on the defensive line, and for the man who just turned 32, the Chiefs hope he still has several good seasons left in the tank.

Peter Woods

Maybe my favorite pickup of the offseason, Woods came into the 2025 season widely viewed as a can't-miss prospect and a consensus top-15 pick. But after a disastrous season for Clemson, Woods and several of his fellow draft prospects with the Tigers saw their draft stock take a major hit. Woods was dominant in 2024, and in 2025, his production dipped, but his impact was felt on film. He was the constant focus of double teams and was arguably even better against the run. In Kansas City, I expect him to have a big rookie year and to blossom into a star sooner rather than later.

Omarr Norman-Lott

The Chiefs' 2025 second-round pick, Norman-Lott only played 73 snaps for the Chiefs before going down with an ACL tear. Coming out of Tennessee, ONL was known as one of the best pass-rushing defensive tackles in the class, and his incredible explosiveness and finesse allow him to get to the quarterback with ease. While he is thin, Lott does a good job getting to the shoulder of his opponent and penetrating gaps in the run game to make an impact. Now, in 2026, he will get a fully healthy season, where the Chiefs hope they can get him one-on-one as a pass rusher as often as possible.

Khyiris Tonga

In 2025, the Chiefs' run defense was clearly lacking, and adding a true nose tackle with Tonga's strength and power will be incredibly impactful for Kansas City. Tonga played for the Super Bowl runner-up, the New England Patriots, in 2025, and while he does not light up the stat sheet, his impact is heavily felt in the run game. His incredibly strong base and violent hands allow him to eat blocks and penetrate gaps, forcing backs to switch lanes at the last second. Next to high-level pass rushers like Jones, Woods, and Norman-Lott, Tonga will have a major impact in Kansas City in 2026 and beyond.

Damon Payne

Heading into training camp, one of the most intriguing stories to keep an eye on will be UDFA pickup Damon Payne. Once a top-40 recruit coming out of high school, Payne struggled to find major production on the stat sheet in college between his time at two powerhouse programs, Alabama and Michigan. Training camp and preseason will be important as the Chiefs test Payne to see what they have to work with. While he is a likely candidate for the practice squad, a very strong camp from Payne could encourage the Chiefs' coaching staff to carry a fifth defensive tackle heading into the 2026 season.

Marcus Harris

Harris is another undersized defensive tackle who signed to the Chiefs' practice squad late in the 2025 season after spending time with the Texans, Bills, and Patriots prior. Harris was a seventh-round pick by the Texans in 2024 out of Auburn. Harris actually started his college career with Kansas, where he logged 7.5 sacks as a redshirt freshman and 31.5 in his career as a whole. He is the likely candidate to be on the Chiefs' practice squad again this season.

Cole Brevard

Coming in at 6-3, 345 lbs., Brevard is simply a massive man whom the Chiefs hope can develop into a rotational nose tackle and run defender in the NFL. The Texas UDFA has little to no impact as a pass rusher, but in the run game, he eats blocks and holds his ground. Brevard is like a parked car, with a strong base, and is all but impossible to move backward in the run game. He will fight for a spot on the practice squad as a rotational nose tackle and run defender down the line.

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