Chiefs position review: Pass rushers
Should the Chiefs add more pieces on the edge?
[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 finished the 2024 campaign with one of the NFL’s top defensive units, ranking fourth in points allowed and ninth in total yards.
Putting opposing quarterbacks on the ground, however, saw the Chiefs tally 39 sacks, which ranked in the middle of the pack around the league.
Defensive end George Karlaftis paced the defense with a team-high eight sacks. The next two top sack producers came from defensive tackles Tershawn Wharton (6.5) and Chris Jones (5).
Defensive end Mike Danna, who tallied three sacks last season, and defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah, who recorded 2.5 sacks, return.
But the Chiefs need to bolster the edges.
OUTLOOK
Karlaftis and Danna project as the starters, with Anudike-Uzomah the next man up in the Chiefs’ edge rotation.
While Anudike-Uzomah made strides in 2024 with increased playing time, which included three starts, the Chiefs should expect more from their 2023 first-round pick. And this is especially true knowing Karlaftis enters the final year of his rookie contract, which the Chiefs have an option to exercise a fifth-year option.
The Chiefs’ pass-rusher depth after Karlaftis, Danna and Anudike-Uzomah at this stage of the offseason rounds out with Charles Omenihu, who returned on a one-year deal, Malik Herring, BJ Thompson and Janarius Robinson.
Robinson, who signed a one-year contract as a free agent, joins his fourth team since entering the league in 2021as a fourth-round pick with the Minnesota Vikings.
Meanwhile, it’s no secret that the Chiefs need to address the interior of the defensive line, especially when considering Wharton and his 6.5 sacks from last season left during free agency.
While the defensive tackle position is likely high on the priority list for the upcoming NFL draft, general manager Brett Veach’s menu should include a pass rusher with one of the team’s eight picks.
The Chiefs have options after the first round to add a pass rusher with the likes of SEC standouts Bradyn Swinson of LSU and Princely Umanmielen of Ole Miss, as both players project as second-round picks.
Of note, the Chiefs reportedly held a formal interview with Umanmielen at the NFL Scouting Combine.