Chiefs position review: Defensive tackles
Do the Chiefs need interior defensive depth?
[Editor’s note: KC Sports Network writers Herbie Teope and Tyler Brown look at the Chiefs’ position groups on both sides of the ball with a series of articles ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.]
The Chiefs obviously have one of the NFL’s top defensive tackles in Chris Jones.
Jones, who garnered a third straight first-team All-Pro selection in 2024, is a game wrecker for opponents and commands attention.
But there’s a looming issue on the depth chart after Jones.
Defensive tackles Tershawn Wharton and Derrick Nnadi left in free agency, and replacing the duo won’t be easy. Wharton, who totaled a career-high 6.5 sacks in 2024, and Nnadi were essential members of the Chiefs’ defensive line rotation. Wharton also totaled the second-highest snaps (677) on the defensive line behind only Jones (771).
The Chiefs addressed the interior by signing Jerry Tillery to a one-year deal during free agency and brought back Mike Pennel and Marlon Tuipulotu.
While Pennel’s return helps because he’s familiar with the scheme, have the Chiefs done enough?
OUTLOOK
The Chiefs’ top three defensive tackles currently project as Jones, Pennel and Tillery, with Tuipulotu, Siaki Ika and Fabien Lovett rounding out the position group. Ika and Lovett signed reserve/future deals during the offseason.
Not too bad on paper, but remember that looming issue mentioned earlier?
Here it is: Jones turns 31 in July; Pennel turns 34 in May; and Tillery turns 29 in October.
Jones is obviously an elite talent, but even the best can’t outrun Father Time.
The time is now for the Chiefs to look to the future and bolster the defensive interior beyond signing free agents to one-year contracts. And the Chiefs are in luck because the upcoming NFL draft is loaded with defensive talent.
The Chiefs have eight draft picks, which includes four selections within the Top 100, and it wouldn’t surprise if general manager Brett Veach elected to use one of the early picks on a defensive tackle.
Michigan’s high-profile defensive tackle Mason Graham and Ole Miss’ Walter Nolen should be off the board when the Chiefs select on the back end of the first round. But there are potential late first-round options, such as Oregon’s Derrick Harmon, and perhaps second-round options with either Texas’ Alfred Collins or Ohio State’s Tyleik Williams.
While going with the best-player available during the early stages of the draft is a solid strategy, the Chiefs shouldn’t hesitate to grab a defensive tackle if the player is ranked high on Veach’s draft board.
