The Kansas City Chiefs have made a few moves in the early portion of free agency. None have been star-studded or earth-shattering additions, but Kansas City has done well to shore up some needs on the roster. Yet, the Chiefs are lacking in talent and depth in one specific area.
The defensive line room has to be replenished this offseason. In total, the Chiefs have just eight names on the active roster set to return next season on the defensive line. That includes Chris Jones, George Karlaftis, Mike Danna, and Felix Anudike-Uzomah. Others, such as Malik Herring, Fabien Lovett, Siaki Ika, and BJ Thompson, are simply unproven pieces. K.C. did add Jerry Tillery, a former first-round pick, on Friday.
There have already been plenty of other defensive linemen signing in various spots throughout free agency. What are the Chiefs exactly waiting for to address this roster need with a greater impact move?
Why ignore less-expensive options at defensive tackle?
The Chiefs were never expected to shop in the price ranges for a Milton Williams, a Josh Sweat, or even a Jonathan Allen in free agency. Even Tershawn Wharton got a sizeable pay increase by leaving Kansas City to join the Carolina Panthers. Most expected him to get paid handsomely, but maybe not by that much, compared to his 2024 salary.
In the end, there have been plenty of bargain options in Kansas City's possible price range that have already landed elsewhere. A lot of these names would have made solid fits within Steve Spagnuolo's defensive system, as well.
At defensive tackle, names like Levi Onwuzurike, Roy Lopez, and Sebastian Joseph-Day all signed for under $8 million on one-year deals. Those are just a few examples that would have fit as physical, long defensive tackles with heavy hands. To see them finally add Tillery when they did does not necessarily move the needle that much.
Even at defensive end, names with adequate production have still settled for deals at or below $15 million per season. If the Chiefs were not looking at defensive end as much as the defensive tackle market, that is understandable. Given their current starters, finding some other pieces who can potentially produce in a pinch is a worthy bet. Kansas City has not even landed one of those options from a deep pool.
Remaining options serve as short-term stopgaps
Many of the free-agent defensive linemen still available are likely already in their prime or nearing the latter stages of their careers. Kansas City has needed to get younger at defensive tackle for years now. Perhaps if they were to add a free agent for that spot, it might be someone they view as a one-year stopgap.
Even at defensive end, the Chiefs are likely not going to be paying anything beyond two years on a possible new contract. Danna has two years left on his current deal. Karlaftis is entering the final year of his rookie deal. However, Kansas City still has the fifth-year option they can exercise on him for 2026. And an item like the franchise tag could always be used down the line if needed, too.
The Chiefs are seeing their biggest challengers largely go all out in fortifying the trenches. If K.C. cannot match or keep pace, it becomes that much more challenging to get to where they want to go. That is especially true in a time where the cyclical cycle of the NFL is reverting back to the running game and physicality.
Are the Chiefs focused on the draft?
If you have been following this year's NFL draft class, it is no secret that the defensive talent is viewed as deeper than the offensive options. The defensive line groups have been praised continuously during the draft process. Are the Chiefs simply just focused on that depth in the draft to address the defensive line? If so, can they bank on two to three names possibly boosting the unit right away?
The Chiefs are not picking in the top half of the draft. Kansas City is used to waiting on the draft board to fall to them. While that leads to missing out on clear-cut options, it also allows for some raw talent to usually slide near their range.
The same could happen again this year among defensive line prospects. If a quarterback or two gets bumped up and is taken early, that allows for some defenders to drop. Teams may also look to wait on taking someone from a deep position group if they believe the value will be there later.
The Chiefs are playing it precipitously at defensive line right now. However, their patience could be the difference between a young foundational piece for the long-term and a failed use of spending for the short-term.
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