David Bell
Let me start this out by stating my primary focus is the Front Four. However, this gets amended to state it’s really about the Front Seven! Beyond that, the topic will morph into what to do about the 16 players who are free agents in the coming year, who the Chiefs retain — and the cap — and what happens then in the 2024 draft. That will be a separate article based on the Chiefs Free Agents, who is retained, and who they eye in the 2024 draft. This is a forthcoming article that will include comment from Laddie.
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The Defensive Wall
Chris Jones
Let’s begin with the Elephant in the Room: Chris Jones (A+)
There is no doubt in my mind that CJ is one of the top DTs in the NFL. I have mentioned before that I wanted the Chiefs to draft Jones, and GM John Dorsey saw the same thing I did and selected Jones with Pick 6 in the second round in the 2016 NFL Draft. Jones was anticipated to be a year one starter and he has more than fulfilled his promise. CJ gets a very high grade from me and I was ecstatic when Dorsey brought him to Chiefs Kingdom. Because of the negative marks from NFL player analysts, I watched about 7 game films to see if the criticism was true: Jones took zero plays off and I did not see any of that with him.
Caveat: See the 2024 Free Agent and Draft Outlook article coming soon to ArrowheadOne
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Newly Acquired DT: Charles Omenihu (B+)
When Charles Omenihu (CO) got rolling, the Chiefs defense picked up its forcefulness, but keep in mind he missed the first six games. CO has recorded 18 Tackles, perhaps a dozen QB hits, and more than a dozen pressures while recording 3.5 sacks since returning to the lineup. Charles Omenihu has become an integral member of Joe Cullen’s DL.
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Derrick Nnadi (C) and Tershawn Wharton (C)
Depth at Defensive Tackle
I have never had high expectations for Derrick Nnadi. So far in 2023, on the defensive interior, he has 22 Tackles and Assists, 1 Stuff, and 1 Pass Defensed. He is, in my view, a rotational/depth DT. Tershawn Wharton in a depth role at DE role has recorded 14 tackles and assists, 1 sack, and 1 Stuff. I see both players as role players for the Chiefs.
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Edge Mike Danna (B+)
Before 2023, I viewed Mike Danna as a role player. This season, he has made an impact and it has been noticeable. Mike Danna has 43 Tackles and Assists, 1 PD, 1 Stuff, and 6.5 sacks. He has shown significant improvement this season. With his solid impact this season, I now see him as an impact player. See the forthcoming article on the Chiefs 2024 Free Agents.
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Edge George Karlaftis (A-)
Furious George has 40 tackles and assists, 2 Stuffs, 9 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. Like his rookie season, he has been an impact plus (+)! I expect he will exceed 10 sacks by the end of the regular season. His pursuit of RBs on the ground game is relentless. I like this young player. I recall John Dorsey stating that it takes 4 seasons as an edge player to be successful. I think Karlaftis is well ahead of the curve.
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The Second Level
Linebackers: Adding Linebackers as the Second-level Defenders of the Front Seven
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• Nick Bolton – Guided Missile Green-Dot LB (A+)
• Drue Tranquill – Best All-around Pass Defender and Green-Dot LB#2(A)
• Leo Chenal – 2022 Draft Pick, Excellent Run Stopping LB (A-)
• Depth LBs Jack Cochrane, Darius Harris, and Cam Jones (all players get a Futures grade)
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Jack Cochrane who we caught a glimpse of while Bolton was out, looked more than adequate to my eye. I was glad to see him in action as a UDFA. Cam Jones, I have not seen enough of you to make a judgment. Cam Jones is not getting NFL time so he is a “futures” consideration. We lost Darius Harris to free agency (Raiders, in August). I was sorry to see him depart. When we saw Harris in preseason, both Laddie Morse and myself thought he had a future with the Chiefs. Veach was able to re-acquire Harris at the end of October. We’ll See.
For 2023 this LB corps is better than solid. In a base 4-3, this Chiefs group may be the best among all in the NFL linebacking crews. Willie Gay and Drue Tranquill are 2024 Free Agents. See the forthcoming article: “Free Agent and 2024 Draft.”
Prognosis
When I look at the players of the Front Seven, I feel very confident in the Chief’s ability to prevent a high-scoring opponent for the stretch run, the remainder of the season. K.C. is solid up front! This is the best defense in the Andy Reid era.
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Last Note: Corners and Safeties
I have not addressed the back end of the defense in this particular outing. The Chiefs have two outstanding Corners in Trent McDuffie and L’Jarius Sneed. K.C. also has solid contributors beyond them. At Safety, I am very comfortable with Justin Reid and Bryan Cook, and Mike Edwards has been a Godsend. I want to write about Chamarri Conner as well. The outlook with Conner is outstanding. Let’s hope that Cook gets back before the post-season!
The Defense has allowed more than 20 points 3 times (21, 24 and 27). If the offense can get well and produce points in the realm of 28 PPG or more (averaging one TD per quarter), the Chiefs with Mahomes at the helm will be the sturdy team to combat their way to the Super Bowl, no matter who it is they face. If you recall the AS/11 timeframe, then 28 PPG wasn’t enough, but it was close. The Chiefs did not have a defense to match the potency of the offense. Now it’s topsy turvy. Go figure that one out.
With our Front Seven… I like our chances to get on a roll for the stretch that extends into the post-season!
Again, a future article will deal with what will happen with our Veteran Free agents in the next offseason while taking a look at the 2023 NFL Draft.
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David Bell — ArrowheadOne
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