Stock is Up: Drue Tranquill
Drue Tranquill has been nothing short of outstanding after being signed by general manager Brett Veach in the offseason. Tranquill was coming off a 2022 where he started 16 games for the Los Angeles Chargers and had 146 tackles, good for 12th in the NFL. He also had an interception and four passes defended en route to making a name for himself as the prototypical coverage linebacker.
In true Chargers fashion, Tranquill's contract was not renewed, so he was free to sign with the Chiefs on a one-year, $3 million dollar contract with $2.45 million in guaranteed money. Since then, Tranquill has only tied for the team lead in tackles with 22, has the most solo tackles with 15, has two quarterback hits, a forced fumble, and a half-sack on his Chiefs resume.
Most of this production was due to the loss of Nick Bolton to an ankle injury for the past two games, but Tranquill has risen to the challenge with flying colors, leading the team in tackles in both games. The most significant impact has been made off the stat sheet, however. Bolton was the one who defense coordinator Steve Spagnuolo would call plays to when Bolton was healthy.
Tranquill has taken over that role in Bolton's absence, and the defense has not missed a beat. Tranquill's experience, talent, and leadership have been an absolute gift to this Chiefs' defense, and that will make them all the more formidable when the big-boy games start to come around.