3 Chiefs defenders with the most to gain with strong performance versus Bears

The Chiefs defense has numerous players with so much to gain (or lose) in the preseason finale.

In just a matter of days, the Kansas City Chiefs are going to wave goodbye to a few dozen players. While up to 16 of those could return to the practice squad, there's nio denying that the process is going to hurt all around.

Given the level of talent in K.C. overall, several other teams are going to be watchintg closely to see who they might be able to poach on the waiver wire. For the Chiefs this is an important week with so many decisions to make in a short span of time before hosting the Baltimore Ravens to start the regular season.

Here are a few defenders with the most to gain with a strong showing in Thursday's preseason finale at Arrowhead.

Nic Jones, cornerback

It was one year ago that the Kansas City Chiefs submitted Nic Jones' name on a draft card as their lsat choice in the 2023 NFL Draft. A length corner out of Ball State, Jones showed off the sort of measurables that intrigued a coaching staff known for maximizing the potential of many players. It didn't hurt that the Chiefs had such strong success with Day 3 picks in the secondary as well.

One year later, Jones played about as much as anyone expected, with a solid showing on special teams in 9 regular season games and all four postseason contests for the Chiefs. Jones also played few dozen snaps on defense, but the team has yet to see him pressed into any real playing time in a loaded secondary.

The problem at this point is that Jones's measurables aren't all that rare on a team with plenty of versatile young defensive backs. And his reputation as a ballhawk doesn't do him any good if he can't get close to the ball.

Coming into his second season, it feels like Jones hasn't made much progress up the food chain thanks to the exemplary displays from imports like Keith Taylor and Kelvin Joseph. Meanwhile, the Chiefs drafted another long-term corner in sixth-round choice Kamal Hadden and undrafted free agent Miles Battle. When you add Ekow Boye-Doe to the mix of fringe roster competitors, the picture only looks bleaker.

Steve Spagnuolo admitted the crowd at cornerback has been hard to evaluate this summer already which means a strong final impression could put someone over the top. Will it be Jones?

Truman Jones, defensive end

The Chiefs are hungry for another pass rusher to step up, which is why they were reportedly circling on free agent Manny Ogbah before he decided to re-up with the Miami Dophins.

The situation looks pretty thin on the edges to start the season and part of those reasons were to be expected. The Chiefs knew that Charles Omenihu was going to need time to return from an ACL tear late last season, but no one could have foreseen B.J. Thompson's seizure and cardiac issues earlier in training camp. Just like that, the Chiefs were down two competitors for roster spots completely.

Meanwhile Felix Anudike-Uzomah remains a work in progress as last season's first round pick, and it's hard to tell how many reps the Chiefs are going to want to give him if he can't set a better edge. That leaves a lot of burden on starters Mike Danna and George Karlaftis to start a very long season for the Chiefs.

So what does Truman Jones have to offer. The Chiefs are hoping for anything from a fringe roster player who was a rookie free agent out of Harvard one year ago. Jones proved to be a disruptor in the Ivy League, but that's a far cry from doing so at the professional level, so it's impossible to say for sure.

Should the Chiefs roll with Malik Herring instead? Can Jones continue to show what he can do beyond preseason blasts against backup performers? A strong display against the Bears could give the Chiefs some trust in him going into the season.

Fabien Lovett, defensive tackle

Defensive line is the Chiefs' biggest issue, which is why we're tackling it twice here with players to watch.

Not only are the Chiefs lacking outside in depth but the same can be said in the heart of the defense where they've re-signed a number of familiar faces to one-year deals to bring back the same corps as last season—from Matt Dickerson to Mike Pennel to Turk Wharton to Derrick Nnadi. At the actual position, it's Chris Jones and then a lot of league-average guys—not exactly an inspiring way to start the year.

One impressive young man who has looked decent in Chiefs' minicamp and preseason games is Fabien Lovette, a former Florida State run-stuffer with the potential for more. While the Chiefs got him as a rookie free agent, many scouts thought he could have been a secure day 3 pick although it didn't help his draft stock to be 25 years old coming into the league.

As a rookie free agent, Lovett could really help the Chiefs as a rotational part staying cheap at the position. Can he convince them to keep him around? It should be fun to watch.