Derrick Nnadi is once again attempting to leave the Kansas City Chiefs. Maybe this time, it will actually take.
Nnadi has found a new home early in free agency after signing a contract to join the Indianapolis Colts. The defensive lineman will provide Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo with a veteran run-stuffer who comes with championship experience and a reputation for being a coach's favorite.
Last year at this time, the New York Jets were the team to sign Nnadi away from Kansas City, the first time that the defensive tackle had been employed by anyone other than the Chiefs since his arrival in the league in the 2018 NFL Draft. It was then that he was named K.C.'s third-round pick, and he'd been entrenched along the defensive interior at Arrowhead ever since.
Derrick Nnadi is attempting to leave Kansas City once again, this time as a member of the Indianapolis Colts.
Things went south pretty quickly for Nnadi while with the Jets, and the Chiefs decided to trade back for him shortly before active roster cuts were due last August. General manager Brett Veach didn't feel good about his depth in the trenches, and he would ultimately also bring back Mike Pennel, another longtime Chiefs veteran who has a way of making it back to Kansas City.
This time feels different, however, as the Chiefs realize more than ever how much they need to elevate the position around Chris Jones. The Chiefs already signed Khyiris Tonga away from the New England Patriots as an exceptional run-stopper who is younger and far more agile than Nnadi. Omarr Norman-Lott should also return healthy after suffering a season-ending injury in the first half of his rookie year.
Nnadi comes with a tremendous body of experience while playing with the Chiefs, with 98 starts in 130 total regular-season games. In addition, Nnadi has played in 18 postseason games and has three Super Bowl rings to show for his efforts. In that span, he has 249 total tackles, 5 sacks, and 9 quarterback hits, with his primary value coming as a respected run-stopper next to Jones.
At this point, Nnadi's best years are certainly behind him, but if the Colts are looking to establish a workable floor against the run, Nnadi has value there as a rotational piece. The Jets decided they didn't need him compared to younger options, and it's possible the Colts find out the same once training camp rolls around. However, as a pre-draft signing to shore up the depth chart, Nnadi is a solid buy.