Can the Chiefs Move to a 4-3 D?
by Paul Pulley | January 25, 2019
With the firing of Defensive Coordinator Bob Sutton (finally), and the hiring of Steve Spagnuolo, the Kansas City Chiefs could be moving to a 4-3 defense. I’ve thought about this for quite a while and especially after the 2018 draft, that Coach Reid and the Chiefs were planning on moving on from former defensive coordinator Bob Sutton for some time.
Coach Reid, as all good managers do, normally spends some down time to let emotions settle and to do some serious reflecting so that spontaneous, harsh and incorrect decisions don’t occur. Yet only two days after the Chiefs final game of the 2018 season, a decision was made that will alter the course of one half of the Chiefs team.
Was this a coincidence?
Starting with the 2017 draft, the fantastic move to trade up and acquire quarterback Patrick Mahomes was made, but in the 2nd round, the Chiefs select Tanoh Kpassagnon. Kpass never has fit the role of an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, but would be a good fit as a 4-3 defensive end, and this could have been the Chiefs long range plan, especially since Kpassagnon was a project not yet ready to produce.
Just prior to the 2017 regular season, new General Manager Brett Veach traded for inside linebacker Reggie Ragland. Ragland, formerly with the Buffalo Bills, became expendable when the Bills switched to a 4-3 defense and Ragland was considered to be a poor fit in that scheme. It might become apparent that Ragland is no longer a fit if the Spagnuolo changes systems, but Ragland can be released with about a $1.2M cap savings and no dead money in 2019.
In the 2018 off season, GM Veach signs linebacker Anthony Hitchens. Hitchens has four seasons experience playing all three linebacker positions of a 4-3 defense, although his best position is most likely as the Mike or middle linebacker. Hitchens has played well as the Sam (strong side) linebacker and would be a quality player at either position.
Then comes the 2018 draft. GM Veach, with his hands somewhat tied by not having a first round pick due to the trade to acquire Mahomes, makes a series of trades to end up with three picks out of the first 100 overall draft selections:
- Breeland Speaks – with the first of those three picks, Veach selected Breeland Speaks. The Chiefs claim that Speaks is an OLB but obviously he would perform better as a defensive end in a 4-3 defense.
- Derrick Nnadi – Nnadi is selected with the Chiefs second pick of the draft. Known as a run stuffing defensive tackle, Nnadi played his rookie season as the nose tackle in the Chiefs 3-4 defense. In a 4-3, Nnadi will make a very good NT/DT, depending on the type of 4-3 set used.
- Dorian O’Daniel – the third draft pick in 2018 was LB Dorian O’Daniel. O’Daniel has already shown flashes of the player that he can become and would make a good Will (weak side) linebacker in the 4-3. He has the speed and coverage skills to keep up with a running back coming out of the back field and has the moxie to put pressure on the opposing QB when blitzing.
4-3 Players Already on the 2019 Roster
Who do we have on next season’s roster that would fit in a 4-3 defense?
- Chris Jones – first and most obvious is Chris Jones. Jones would be a fit in any defense but I believe he would shine as a 3 tech in the 4-3.
- Xavier Williams – defensive linemen Xavier Williams and Justin Hamilton. Hamilton isn’t officially on the Chiefs 2019 roster as he will be an ERFA this off season, but if the Chiefs want to keep him, they simply just need to tender him an offer and he either plays for KC or he sits out the season. Xavier Williams is under contract for 2019 and he would be a good player as a 1 tech DT.
- Justin Houston – while always playing as an OLB, often plays with his hand in the dirt. Houston is excellent at setting the edge and still has good pass rush skills as is evidenced by how often he is double teamed. I believe Houston could transition to a 4-3 DE seamlessly.
- Ben Niemann – an OLB in college has shown a few flashes as a rookie. His best fit would probably be as a Will or Mike.
What to do with Dee Ford?
Dee Ford is a very good pass rusher. He does an excellent job of getting pressure on the opposing QB… most of the time. Ford has great speed and can chase down any RB from the back side. What Ford doesn’t do well on a consistent basis is set an edge. Too often a tight end or even a wide receiver can lock Ford up and take him completely out of the play. I don’t believe Ford has the strength to play DE in a 4-3.
Whether or not he would make a good Sam backer is questionable. Ford has the speed and decent coverage skills to cover the opponents TE, but does he have the ability to transform to a new position? It took Ford 4 years to transition from a college DE to a NFL OLB, we can’t afford to wait another 3-4 years for him to learn another new position. So if the Chiefs do indeed switch to a 4-3 defense, Ford may be done as a Chief.
What’s Needed to Run a 4-3?
It seems that with the personnel that we already have on the roster, transitioning to a 4-3 defense would not be a major undertaking. What we need are players that we already needed… just a little different style. We need DL depth, another good 3-tech such as Jerry Tillery out of Notre Dame. At least one linebacker, possibly Pratt from NC St. would work. A second LB is probably necessary, possibly via free agency (Kwon Alexander anyone?).
Will defensive changes be made? We won’t know the answer to this until head coach Andy Reid and Steve Spagnuolo decide (they probably already know). Personally, I prefer the 3-4 defense as I believe it offers more versatility, but in today’s NFL, sub-sets rule, particularly the nickel. With the nickel defense being used the majority of plays, the 4-3, or 4-2-5 nickel, will hold up better against the run and will be a more seamless transition from the base D. Therefore, changing to a 4-3 base might be in the best interest of the team.
On the bright side, we have plenty to discuss this off season. These are exciting times with the high powered offense the Chiefs now possess, and now we have expectations of having a real NFL defense that will take the field in the 2019 season.
Paul Pulley — ArrowheadOne
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