Ole Miss lineman is the Chiefs' ideal combination of fit and need in 2025 NFL Draft

As the bustle of NFL free agency winds down, there's one glaring hole on the Kansas City Chiefs roster—and that's the defensive line.

The good news for the Chiefs is the deepest parts of this 2025 NFL Draft class are found at defensive line and running back. Both spots are in need of improvement on the Chiefs' roster.

The Chiefs realistically need depth at both defensive end and defensive tackle, so why not draft a guy who can do both? Enter Jared Ivey.

NFL Draft Profile: Jared Ivey, Edge, Ole Miss

Age: 23 years old

Height: 6-5

Weight: 274 LBS

Shades of: Dayo Odeyingbo or Denico Autry

Jared Ivey's Background

Jared Ivey, a native of Suwanee, Georgia, was a star at North Gwinnett HS. There, he was a 4-star recruit (247 Sports) who also received offers to play basketball at the college level, including programs like Middle Tennessee State However after choosing football, Ivey began his collegiate career at Georgia Tech, where he played two seasons (2020-2021) before transferring to Ole Miss.

Ivey was granted a year of COVID eligibility which makes him one of the more experienced prospects in the class despite being 23 years old. He finished his college career with 38 games played (30 starts), 21 sacks, and 28.5 tackles for loss and helped lead one of the nation's top defenses. Ivey accepted his Senior Bowl invite and raised some eyebrows in Mobile. He measured and interviewed at the combine and will test at the Ole Miss pro day.

Why Jared Ivey Fits the Chiefs

Versatility - Ivey is a highly effective defensive line presence that can rush both from the "C" and "B" gap. His length and strength help him win on the interior, particularly as a pass rusher with speed and a variety of rip and swim moves. He's fluid enough to rush from the outside and has the power to move blockers off the line of scrimmage.

Run Defense - Ivey's 82 3/4 wing span and 6-6 frame make him hard to find space against around the edge. His eyes are constantly in the backfield following the ball. His frame and strength help him close run lanes off and is a mismatch against any tight end, and he's frequently seen on tape crashing the interior from the edge to finish a run fit.

Power - Ivey brings power to almost everything he does on the football field. He can reset blockers into the backfield. His initial punch jolts at the point of attack. He crashes down on run lanes well and he's got a knack for laying a big hit on the quarterback. He brings a "shark mentality" to the game. You can watch him play 15 snaps and be adequate but then he makes one splash play and becomes unblockable for the next quarter. When he smells blood in the water, he frenzies

Concerns about Jared Ivey

Lack of explosiveness - It's easy to look at Ivey's frame and say he's a power rusher who can win on the outside or inside. The reality is that he's a tweener, which could be a big drawback; he could be too slow to really win on the edge and not big enough to win on the inside consistently.

Surroundings - Ivey didn't pop until his final two seasons when played on a very talented defense. There's a decent chance there are 6 or more defenders drafted from the Ole Miss defense, four of whom played along the defensive line. What does it look like when he's not playing on a star-studded cast?

Pad Height - At 6-6 it's easy to see why pad height can be a bit more challenging for him but it can be a concern particularly if he doesn't win off an initial punch. When he kicks inside and rushes from the B gap, it is noticeable as well.

Final analysis of Jared Ivey's draft stock

Jared Ivey is a Steve Spagnuolo defensive lineman through and through. He's a high-level fit for the Chiefs, and he's been a highly effective and productive player at the highest level of college football. It's easy to look at what Ivey does well and believe he can bring depth to the edge position and bring juice to the pass rush as a whole.

General manager Brett Veach has been vocal about the depth of the defensive line class. Ivey is a nice day-two option who can help fill out what is the thinnest position group the Chiefs currently have on their roster.