8 defensive line prospects who could be perfect draft fits for the Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs defense could take the field today and probably fill out a top-10 defensive unit without any more additions to the roster. However, if we were going to pick one place where they probably need the most help both in the short term and long term going into the draft, it is probably along the defensive line.

With the 2024 NFL Draft now less than a month away, teams are finalizing their draft boards and possibly filling any remaining holes with a few more free agent signings.

On Friday, Bob Fescoe of 610 Sports reported that the Chiefs were working to bring back Mike Danna. If this happens it will mean that the Chiefs will pretty much be bringing back their entire defensive front from last season (other than Omenihu being out recovering from his knee injury for the first part of the season).

The Chiefs could use some more contributors along the defensive line and these prospects are perfect fits.

The Chiefs have not gotten great play out of their "other" starting defensive tackle position next to Chris Jones outside of some inspired postseason play by veteran Mike Pennel. The combination of Pennel, Derrick Nnadi, and Tershawn Wharton is enough to get by with this season, but it is certainly possible that the Chiefs could be looking for a long-term option to plug into the other starting tackle spot next to Jones. It would certainly make sense if that player was someone physical enough to stop the run.

The Chiefs drafted Felix Anudike-Uzomah at the end of the first round last season and are likely hoping for him to earn quality outside reps at defensive end this season opposite George Karlaftis. They also drafted a situational pass rush project in BJ Thompson. If Danna is brought back, it would help a lot, but Omenihu's future with the team is still up in the air. Even if he is able to return this season will he be anywhere near the level he was before the injury? With this being the last year of his contract, do the Chiefs need to be planning for a future without him on the roster long-term?

It's entirely possible that the Chiefs may target an Omenihu-type edge player as insurance both for this season and into the future. That type of player is someone that could play outside on early downs and then kick inside to rush the passer on clear passing downs.

So for this post, those are the two types of defensive line prospects that I scouted: The first being a physical defensive tackle that is strong against the run and the second a bigger/long edge player that can kick inside on passing downs. For both groups, I have identified a couple of early options for rounds 1/2 and a couple of middle to late round options that could be taken to develop. Let's kick things off with the defensive tackles.