The Kansas City Chiefs have been loosely connected to some players who are still unsigned. Namely at pass rusher, longtime New Orleans Saint Cam Jordan is a worthy option many have pointed out. The Chiefs did draft R Mason Thomas in the second round of last month's draft. However, it would not behoove them to add another reinforcement at edge rusher.
The Jordan-Chiefs connection has been spun so often. It could very well happen before training camp begins. But if Kansas City were to add a pass rusher not named Jordan, there are still some worthy options. Here are four veteran pieces that would make sense as rotational pass rushers.
Joey Bosa
Would Joey Bosa welcome a return to the AFC West? The former Charger spent last season with the Buffalo Bills. In spurts, he still showed an innate ability to close in on quarterbacks outside of the pocket. Bosa was managed by Buffalo in certain parts of the season. Kansas City would likely look for him to handle a similar workload if they added him. Keeping Bosa fresh for the biggest games is crucial for anyone looking to add him to the fold.
Bosa can still set the edge. His power profile is an item Steve Spagnuolo and the Chiefs have coveted in the past. Another added bonus? Bosa's experience would pay dividends for younger pieces like Thomas and Ashton Gillotte.
Jadeveon Clowney
Even after all of these years, Jadeveon Clowney can still come into specific parts of the game and get home when a team needs it most. Clowney has mustered 23.5 sacks combined over the last three seasons. He still has just enough get-off and juice as he nears his mid-30s.
Ideally, Clowney would be able to bring some short-area quickness and length to Kansas City. His lateral agility and bend are not completely gone, either. Clowney has been able to add enough resistance in run defense. As a rotational piece, there is an ease to what he could add to a defense like the Chiefs, given their creativity in blitz calls.
Leonard Floyd
Leonard Floyd is not built like a traditional Chiefs defender. However, Kansas City has been willing to change some of their thresholds with the moves they have made this offseason. Floyd has been more of an outside linebacker type rather than a true defensive end. All in all, this veteran could still thrive off pinning his ears back and getting snaps on obvious passing downs.
Floyd has quietly been a steady sack producer in his career. His numbers may not have truly lived up to the ninth overall pick at which he was selected. Yet, Floyd has 70 sacks in 10 career seasons for an average of seven sacks per year. Six of his 10 seasons saw him hit at least seven sacks in a single season. Even that production as a tertiary pass rusher is enough to get Kansas City back to the levels they envision under Spagnuolo.
Derek Barnett
Derek Barnett likely holds less name recognition than the names above at this point. Though, he has been part of two impressive teams when it comes to handling the trenches. Barnett spent parts of seven seasons in Philadelphia. Most recently, he got to enjoy being a depth piece in the swarming Houston defense.
That history of being on physical defenses would be worth tapping into if other options fall through. Barnett possesses the mix of length, power, and edge-setting ability that could be of interest to the Chiefs. Kansas City could still do much worse than looking into his profile.
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