David Bell
If Laddie stole my thunder for this article, so be it. What I see about the roster of players who play defense revolves around second-year players making impactful plays. The coaching staff on the defensive side of the ball has done good work. These young guys are going great guns and I don’t think they will suffer a downturn in the process.
In time for week two, Chris Jones returned from his holdout. Jones added to the mix of young players and had a huge impact on the defense. It must be pointed out, that he was on the field and the offensive line had to account for him every snap that he was on the field. I am eager in anticipation about the forthcoming uplift that getting DT Charles Omenihu back on the grass in week seven… but that is still four games away.
About Jones
Who knows what will happen in 2024? He has stated that there would be no talks between himself and Brett Veach until the season and postseason were in the rearview mirror. I fear another round in which Jones does a holdout –> in that case, KC will tag Chris and then possibly, trade him for the right picks. That’s the worst-case scenario. Hopefully, CJ (his agents) come to a solution with the Chiefs and do not get to that worst case situation.
In a way, I can postpone any concern until March 2024. CJ’s contribution vs. the Jaguars “shut my mouth” so to speak. He has stated many times he desires to retire as a “Chief.” I have pointed out that his actions this offseason and game one, lead me to mistrust what he says. We go from there, next year. Keep in mind that my view of CJ before the 2016 draft was that he was a “must-draft player” and I was completely pleased when John Dorsey made the pick with the Chiefs first selection, pick #37 (they didn’t have a round-one pick in 2016).
In that same draft, the Chiefs selected Tyreek Hill with pick number 165. This was Dorsey’s draft and several other players had a role for short periods of time. Most were used as chess pieces for trades such as Parker Ehinger, an OG out of Cincinnati. Among the 2016 choices was also a huge washout, KeiVarae Russell (CB, Notre Dame).
The Second-Year Crew
These six players are significant pieces that DC Steve Spagnuolo deploys. That might be six players on a single snap at any point in a game. This is significant. An important thing to consider about all of the second-year players is their cost when measured against the Cap Space. We can also observe in the same breath, Brett Veach renegotiating the Patrick Mahomes deal — with no effect on cap space in 2023.
Side Note: In addition to these young players on defense, add in 2nd year players such as WR Skyy Moore (Western Michigan), and WR Justyn Ross (Clemson acquired in a trade).
George Karlaftis: DE, Purdue
GK was a surprise draft pick for me. He emerged in the latter part of 2022, achieving good marks with 6 sacks and many pressures.
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Karlaftis in the post-season, 2022 vs. Bengals – Chiefs photo credit
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So far in 2023, he has 1.5 sacks and 11 Tackles and assists in two games played. In his year two, GK is now a force that must be accounted for. In the offseason, he worked with Tamba Hali and was schooled in using his hands more effectively.
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Leo Chenal: LB, Wisconsin
Chenal on tackle in the Super Bowl vs the Eagles – AP Photo(Charlie Riedel photo)
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Leo is not a designated “Starter” but part of a very strong LB group fielded in Spagnuolo’s defense. Thus far in two games played in 2023, Chenal has 10 tackles and assists. I recall his comment in his first presser in 2022 about what he brings to the defense – he replied to this effect: Violence Baby! Sitting to his right was Bryan Cook who broke out in a big laugh! This season, Leo has been working with CJ and Karlaftis on his pass rushing technique.
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Trent McDuffie: CB, Washington
I am not sure how to cover Trent with enough superlatives.
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McDuffie in Action vs Texans in 2022 – Zuma Productions photo credit
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He was on the IR after a week-one injury in 2022, but his play came to fruition the rest of the season. Thus far in 2023, he has been a candidate for a “shut-down CB” designation. In 2023, he has 16 Tackles and assists along with a forced fumble. His coverage of WRs this season is a stat headed North and in two games, he has been targeted 11 times allowing less than 40 yards with 7 receptions by the opposition. McDuffie has tallied one PD headed North. Trent has become a completely solid CB and teamed up with L’Jarius Sneed, the CB Room is convincingly solid.
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Bryan Cook: S, Cincinnati
When Cook was drafted, you might have said that I was ecstatic, and in truth that is a correct observation.
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si.com – “Representing Special UC Rookie Class In Super Bowl LVII“
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Cook broke in and made his bones in 2022 and then in 2023, paired with Justin Reid, the Safety tandem is in great shape. This year, Cook has taken on a leadership role for the back end of the defense. In 2023, he has 10 tackles and assists along with a pass defensed. Cook, like McDuffie has become a fixture in the Chiefs defensive Secondary. The Chiefs coaching staff was comfortable enough with Cook that they let Juan Thornhill depart to the Browns in free agency.
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Jaylen Watson: CB: Washington St.
Watson was on my draft list. He traveled diagonally cross country from Augusta, Georgia to play college football at Washington St. I thought in my investigation of corners last year that Watson could well be a critical piece of the Chiefs secondary puzzle.
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Watson with a 99-yard Pick-six vs. the Chargers in 2022 – Chiefs photo credit
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You can see a video of the play here (0:28):
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One reason for my appreciation of Watson was that the Chiefs needed a cornerback with height. Watson fit that bill standing 6-foot-2 tall. He had a notable TFL versus the Jaguars and has tallied 4 tackles and assists in two games. So far, he is a role player for the CB group, but he’s been solid on defense and could assume a starter’s role as needed which he proved in 2022.
The upside is that Watson fits a 4-man CB rotation exceedingly well.
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Joshua Williams: CB, Fayetteville St
I don’t know of anyone else who had Williams on their “to-draft” list. He wasn’t on my radar at all, but he was on the Chiefs scouting radar and I’m glad for that. The Chiefs drafted Williams in the 4th round, with pick #135.
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Bryan Cook tipped the ball and Williams collected the INT vs. the Bengals 2022 postseason – Chiefs Photo
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In 2022 Postseason Play
Williams INT in the 2022 postseason was a big play in a big game. He fits. The reason that Williams was on the Chiefs radar was likely due to local observers feeding Veach’s scouting staff with important information. However, it came about, due to Fayetteville, Arkansas’s proximity to Kansas City, and the Chiefs scouted Williams, who is also a taller corner like Watson (above), standing at 6-foot-2 as well. We all witnessed his contribution in 2022 and he is in the mix this year as one of a 4-CB rotation. Williams was the first HBCU player drafted since 2022 at the time.
All In?
The list of second-year players above is significant. They are making plays and contributing mightily to the Chiefs defensive effort. Around NFL Fandom, the Chiefs defense has gained prominence. This is a list of 6 players who have a major role for DC Steve Spagnuolo. Add in the two mentions of players on offense, which tallies to 8 players forging the links of the defense that has shined so far. Early on, I thought the Chiefs had a good shot to have a defense ranked in the top 10, but it appears that they just may be better than that!
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David Bell — ArrowheadOne
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