Chiefs draft profile: Lee Hunter is the trench monster KC desperately needs

Few players made more money for themselves at the Senior Bowl than Lee Hunter did, which is both good news and bad news if you’re the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs have a different opportunity ahead of them this offseason. Typically, the coaching staff is preparing for a Super Bowl or wrapping up an AFC Championship loss. Instead, they’re spending time revamping the offensive staff, interviewing coaches, and locking in on the Senior Bowl.

Missing the playoffs is an obvious disappointment, but this might be the best thing that could’ve happened to K.C. for the long-term. With extra time to focus on scouting and the draft, perhaps the Chiefs got a nice, close look at Lee Hunter.

There’s an obvious need along the interior defensive line, even with Chris Jones still on the roster. They simply cannot keep punting on the position by bringing in players like Derrick Nnadi and Mike Pennel. It’s time to get a math-changer in the trenches and let Chris Jones (and Omarr Norman-Lott) do what they do best and rush the passer.

To keep close tabs on the 2026 NFL Draft and the top prospects for the Kansas City Chiefs, make sure to bookmark our Arrowhead Addict Big Board. Our custom big board is tailored toward the Chiefs’ needs and thresholds.

NFL Draft Profile: Lee Hunter, IDL, Texas Tech

Age: 23 (on draft day)

Height: 6-3 (Senior Bowl)

Weight: 320 LBS. (Senior Bowl)

Hand Size: 9 inch (Senior Bowl)

Arm Length: 34.28 inches (Senior Bowl)

Tape Exposure: Oregon (2025), Arizona State (2025), West Virginia (2025)

Shades of: DJ Reader

Lee Hunter's background

Hunter, an Alabama native, lived in Mobile, where the Senior Bowl is played each year. He played high school football at Mattie T. Blount High School and was ranked as a four-star recruit. Out of high school, he committed to Auburn, where he redshirted his freshman season. He entered the transfer portal after that year and committed to UCF, where he played three seasons, amassing 21.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. In 2025, he entered the transfer portal again and committed to Texas Tech, where he finished strong with 10.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.

Scouting Lee Hunter's strengths

Math Changing Run Defense

Calling Hunter a “good run defender” feels like a disservice to just how impactful he is on every play. The number of plays he affects that don’t show up in the box score is special. He isn’t getting blocked one-on-one by a guard or center. He splits double teams or anchors against them well. He has a few snaps per game where he wins so quickly that the play is essentially over.

Strength at the Point of Attack

Hunter has snaps that are borderline comical in how he discards offensive linemen. His strength goes beyond run defense, as he was a major part of what helped teammates David Bailey and Romello Height combine for 24.5 sacks in 2025. He pushes the pocket well and doesn’t get moved, which helps contain quarterbacks—especially mobile ones.

Pass Rush Upside

What separates Hunter from other run stuffers is what he can do as a pass rusher. His 10.6 percent pass-rush win rate is higher than Peter Woods, Caleb Banks, and Kayden McDonald, all of whom are expected to be drafted higher than him. Those quick wins come from excellent strength and solid hand work to grip and rip away from blockers.

Diagnosing Lee Hunter's weaknesses

Athleticsm

Hunter isn’t an overly dynamic athlete, and you see his physical limitations in pursuit. He’s not particularly dynamic laterally and isn’t going to chase down a Lamar Jackson or Jayden Daniels from behind.

Leverage

Hunter is country strong, and it shows in his play, but his reliance on strength causes him to play high. Even in his stance, he often shows high hips. If he’s not the strongest player on the line, can he still win at such a high rate? He’s usually the last player out of his stance at the snap, and he needs to sink his hips and stay low until the snap.

Can Patrick Mahomes help get Lee Hunter to Kansas City?

All joking aside, Patrick Mahomes and Cody Campbell have done a lot to elevate Texas Tech through NIL funds. Adding David Bailey, Lee Hunter, and Romello Height made that defense one of the best in the country. Lee Hunter is a prospect I expect to be higher on than the consensus, but his tape absolutely rocks. Give me the player with a truly dominant trait and some upside.

Lee Hunter is a game-changing run defender with a plus anchor and incredible strength at the point of attack. A promising pass rusher with a variety of swipes and hand moves, he profiles as an early-down defender with even more upside at the next level.

Round Grade: Purple Chip (1st round Grade)