Chiefs draft strategy at defensive end proves sacks don’t tell full story

With the NFL draft being right around the corner, and the Chiefs coming off their worst season in over a decade, Chiefs fans are looking for change. This fan-driven hunt for change is incredibly prevalent along the defensive line, where no player recorded more than seven sacks this season. Now, after losing two key defensive ends to free agency, fans are hoping to see the Chiefs utilize one of their top draft picks to help turn things around.

Defensive end is considered a premium position in the NFL, and the Chiefs have not found the production from their DEs that many fans are hoping for. The Chiefs' biggest need heading into draft weekend likely comes on the defensive line, and it is considered a near certainty that the Chiefs will spend (at least) one of their top 40 picks at DE.

Looking at the Chiefs' investments

Kansas City has a long history with great EDGE rushers, including guys like Derrick Thomas, Jared Allen, Justin Houston, and Tamba Hali. But over the last decade or so, the Chiefs have not had that type of star power off the edge and have instead leaned heavily on superstar defensive tackle Chris Jones to be a game wrecker.

The struggles off the edge do not stem from a lack of effort, as the Chiefs have made significant investments at the position over the years that have not panned out the way fans have hoped. The Chiefs have spent two first-round picks on DEs, with both George Karlaftis and Felix Anudike-Uzomah, as well as a first-round pick included in a trade to acquire Frank Clark.

The Chiefs have also given out major contracts to DEs, with both Clark and Karlaftis receiving 20+ APY deals, as well as a three-year extension to Mike Danna in 2024. Despite the team's success over the last 10 years, many fans are frustrated with the sack production from some of the team's biggest investments and are looking for change this offseason.

But sacks are not the only measure of success for defensive ends in the NFL, and the Chiefs are looking for a lot more from their DEs than just pass-rush production. When you factor in what the Chiefs need from their defensive ends, it drastically changes how we evaluate edge prospects in the NFL draft.

What are the Chiefs looking for from their DEs

The first thing to note about the Chiefs' defense is the scheme they run, and their even front, or 4-3 under style of defense, is very prominent across the NFL. This style of defense relies on a personnel package of two defensive tackles and two defensive ends playing with their hands in the dirt across the line of scrimmage.

In their base package, this often relies on one 5-tech (outside the tackle) DE and one 4i-tech (just inside the tackle) DE. On the interior, they would also shift to the side of the 5-tech DE and line up a 3-tech defensive tackle as well as a 0-tech nose tackle. This type of defense is designed to fill gaps and clog run lanes, forcing RBs to bounce to the outside and allowing LBs to come downhill and force negative plays.

But the caveat to this style (and really any style of defense) is that everyone has to fit in and play their role. This scheme that Steve Spagnuolo requires discipline and consistency so that the team can run disguises on the back end and keep offenses off balance. If one man abandons his lane on the defensive line or gets too wide off the edge, it opens gaps for scrambles or easy 4–5 yard gains.

When you look at the pass game, the 4-3 under style of defense the Chiefs run requires just as much, if not more, consistency from their defensive ends. Oftentimes, DEs are asked to contain the QB to the pocket and space out the offensive line to allow Chris Jones and other DTs to win on the inside and generate pressure. This is why it is not fair to judge Chiefs DEs based on sack numbers alone, but rather to watch and see the impact they have on the game consistently, day in and day out.

If Karlaftis were to take a wider angle to bend around the edge, it would open up lanes for the quarterback to step up or deliver a pass across the middle. If he were to switch lanes and come back inside, it would often clog the lane for the interior players looking to create pressure up the middle and would also allow a quarterback to roll out of the pocket for more time to throw.

How does this impact the Chiefs' draft?

The Chiefs are looking for a traditional 5-tech defensive end, and it is important to consider that when evaluating defensive end prospects. While players such as Cassius Howell, Joshua Josephs, or R Mason Thomas are skilled, their fit in Kansas City is incredibly poor, and their play styles could do more harm than good in Spagnuolo's defensive scheme.

It is commonplace across the NFL for fans and even analysts to say "just take the best player available" when it comes to early picks. And while that can be true at certain positions, defensive end is not one of the ones where you can just plug and play any player. Someone like Nik Bonitto would not have 15 sacks in the Saints defense, the same way Cam Jordan would not have the same number of sacks in the Broncos defense.

We have also seen many fans raise the question, "Why does Spags not just adjust?" when it comes to these "better" pass rushers. But realistically, it is not that simple, and trying to fit one of these undersized but quick-off-the-line pass rushers into the Chiefs' defense would result in several other top players being displaced. The Steve Spagnuolo defense works, and he has proven it to us since he was hired in 2019.

While it is reasonable to be frustrated with the production of the Chiefs' DEs, that does not mean the team has to completely change course and take a wide-9 speed rusher. What it really means is two things. First, the Chiefs need more consistency at DE, and the struggles to win at the line of scrimmage need to be addressed with strong DEs early in the draft. Second, the interior of the DL needs help and must win early, so investing in defensive tackle early in the draft would be wise.

While guys like Auburn's Keldric Faulk or Miami's Rueben Bain Jr. may not be as flashy or exciting to fans who look at highlights or the stat sheet, their impact on the game is immeasurable. Long story short, whether you like it or not, fit matters—especially on defense, where everyone has a role and relies on each other to make impact plays. So when you make your mock drafts or see someone falling on draft day, remember what the Chiefs need on defense rather than what looks good on the stat sheet.

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