KC’s DL ul B Big Yikes 4 NFL OLs

That’s right, the Kansas City Chiefs Defensive Line is going to present real problems for any and every Offensive Line they face this year. To quote a song from one of my favorite musicals of all time, “The Music Man,”

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“Ya can talk, ya can talk, ya can bicker, ya can talk,
Ya can talk all ya want but is different than it was.

No it ain’t, no it ain’t, but ya gotta know the territory!“

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While much has been said, and bickered about, concerning the Offensive Line this offseason, including huge upgrades, the reality is –> the DL may end up being better than the OL this year. Let’s get into why I think that may be true.

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The Interior of the Chiefs Defensive Line may be the best position on the whole team. Yes, the wide receivers have Tyreek Hill, and yes, the TE position has Travis Kelce and of course the QB position has Patrick Mahomes, but no other position has two legitimate stellar players like Chris Jones and Jarran Reed. Let’s never forget just how good Chris Jones is… and plays big in the biggest games as well,

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No, Jarran Reed hasn’t made it to a Pro Bowl yet, but his overall play — including both pass rushing and run defense — and presence as a positive force, make Chris Jones better, and… gives DC Steve Spagnuolo the option of moving Jones to DE end on occasion. Reed is that good.

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That ability to move CJ to DE isn’t just about Reed either. Second year DT Tershawn Wharton makes that a possibility as well. While Derrick Nnadi may be better vs. the run than Wharton, Tershawn gives the Chiefs some pass rush ability that Nnadi doesn’t have.

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Let’s take a look at the critical stats for Nnadi and Wharton side-by-side. These are players the Chiefs can count on when CJ moves to DE or Jarran Reed needs a breather.

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Here are the stats I’m focusing on for each player:

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1) the number of QB Hits and TFLs for Tershawn Wharton, plus his 2.0 sacks when he’s getting less than half the snaps is much better than that of Derrick Nnadi vs. the pass, and…

2) the total number of tackles for Derrick Nnadi, averaging 43 tackles per year on an average of 45% of the D snaps per year, makes Derrick Nnadi significantly better vs. the run than Wharton.

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What also stands out to me are the total number of snaps in a rookie year for Wharton. Although Andy Reid doesn’t play rookies much on offense, Steve Spagnuolo not only played Wharton a bunch but L’Jarius Sneed as well. Which makes you wonder about how much Joshua Kaindoh might be given snaps if he proves worthy. While Nnadi got in on 38% of the Defensive snaps when he was a rookie, Wharton was in on 48%. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Wharton’s number of snaps continue to rise this year, especially with Chris Jones spending a larger percentage of his time at DE.

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Ryan Tracy put it to Matt Derrick recently, “Would you be over-or-under 25% with CJ playing snaps at defensive end?” To which Matt Derrick said, “I would crush the over on that one.” With both Derrick Nnadi and Tershawn showing solid abilities as defensive tackles, the presence of Jarran Reed gives Spags the chance to move CJ to DE for what is likely to be up to 40% of the time. My guess is somewhere around 33% to 35%, but if CJ has success there, I’d expect to see him make that transition easily, effectively and frequently.

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Some may be wondering: how does that make the Chiefs defense better? It’s simple really, and the answer also means, the Chiefs don’t need someone like Melvin Ingram (who I still do wish K.C. would sign). With all the defensive linemen playing a “percentages” role, the combination of players on the field at any given time, are head and shoulders better than the combos from last year. Here are a few of the possible D-line combos we can expect to see on the field in 2021:

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Clark – Reed – Jones – Charlton

Clark – Reed – Wharton – Jones

Clark – Nnadi – Wharton – Jones

Jones – Reed – Nnadi – Charlton

Danna – Nnadi – Jones – Charlton

Clark – Wharton – Jones – Kaindoh

Clark – Reed – Jones- Kaindoh

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That last grouping is one I’m excited to see in action. It may not happen until next year, but if Kaindoh lives up to his upside, it could be an all out free for all on who’s the first to get to the QB. Joshua Kaindoh has more upside than Tanoh Kpassagnon did, but it’s still a wait-n-see proposition. While Kaindoh didn’t have great numbers in college, that’s likely due to some very bad luck on the injury front suffering a leg injury in 2019 then a knee injury from an illegal chop block in September of 2020. If he can stay healthy, he could be another “steal” in this draft for Brett Veach.

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I like to consider the number or slot a player was drafted: Kaindoh went at #162, and he had Florida State defensive teammates go in and after this draft too: Asante Samuel Jr. with the Chargers at #47, DE Janarius Robinson to the Vikings at #134, and DT Marvin Wilson was a UDFA with the Browns. Although Samuel should prove to be a quality corner in the NFL, Kaindoh has a similar upside. What it means is, he came from a good program, but not a Alabama-esk program — and I count Ohio St. and Clemson in that -esky type grouping — where all the other 4 or 5-star players may have skewed their draft position. IOW, Kaindoh wasn’t just good because his teammates made him look good.

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While much has been made of the last year in which Jarran Reed and Frank Clark played together in Seattle, and we know they both ended up having career years, even if they each inspire the other to have just a better year than the had last year in 2020, it will be a big improvement. Reed played on 74% of the Seahawks Defensive snaps, had 6.5 sacks, 38 tackles, and 14 QB Hits. So, while his 2020 numbers don’t match his 2018 numbers, he’s still and incredibly productive DT and will make anyone who’s on the field with him better. Clark, who so many are down on because he didn’t flash in 2020 like he did in 2019, was in on 70% of the snaps, with 6.0 sacks, 29 tackles and 15 QB Hits. While we expect more out of a DE than we do a DT, as far as QB sacks, pressures and hits are concerned, with Clark playing next to Reed and Chris Jones — whether that’s at DT or DE — Clark should face the fewest number of double-teams yet.

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Yes, Frank Clark needs to improve vs. Double-teams… and One-on-one.

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Of course that tweet was December of 2019, and we know things didn’t get better for Clark in 2020. Injuries to blame or not? If Clark can’t stay healthy enough this season to make a difference from his DE position, he’ll likely be shown the door. Now, he has no excuse, with Reed by his side. Some of the problem may have come from too much being placed on Clark’s shoulders. That won’t be a reason… or excuse… in 2021.

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If you’re an offense and are double-teaming Chris Jones, and Frank Clark as well, in 2020, you’ve covered the DL Chiefs threats to the QB, mainly. Last year, it would take Spags throwing a stunt or blitz at the offense to make any difference.

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Now, if the Chiefs front four can get pressure on a QB by rushing only four… and we know that at least three out of those four can consistently make that happen… it’s all math at that point. There won’t be enough blockers to stop the Chiefs defensive linemen.

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That conversation is limited to the Chiefs just sending four guys straight at the QB. It doesn’t take into consideration all the other stunts and blitzes Spags and DL line coach, Brendan Daly, can bring. By mixing up the DL line-ups (some of which I posted above) it means a QB never knows: what, or who, or from where… the pressure is coming. It’s going to be all kinds of fun to watch this year.

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This breakdown of DL players doesn’t take into consideration the Linebackers and how they will play a role in putting pressure on the offensive backfield. The addition of Nick Bolton is no small advantage vs. both the run and the pass.

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Bolton plays the pass as well as any LB who came out in the draft this year and Willie Gay Jr. coverage skills are very good too, and Gay has 4.46 speed. That means he’s plenty faster than long time Chiefs great Derrick Johnson, who had 4.52 speed. Just sayin’.

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I said up front that the DL may end up being better than the OL this year, and that also has to do with the minimal amounts of changes made this offseason as well. Gone are: Mike Pennel, Alex Okafor, and Tanoh Kpassagnon. The players the Chiefs brought in to replace them are a serious upgrade: in Jarran Reed, Joshua Kaindoh, and giving Taco Charlton increased snaps (because he was very good when he could stay on the field last year), and you have a major upgrade at a position where the Chiefs were already strong. If you noticed, I haven’t mentioned Khalen Saunders in the Chiefs plans, and that’s because I’m not sure he’ll be around.

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Plus, you know what it means to the DBs if the pass rush can get there even a fraction of a second earlier on average, right? Less time spent in coverage, and a fresher DB group. A strong DL is a win-win-win situation.

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Now, the myriad of ways Steve Spagnuolo has at his disposal, to defend the pass, are nearly endless. That’s got to drive OCs and QB across the league insane… and fans in Chiefs Kingdom… completely out of their minds with delight! Well, it does me anyway. Now, back to The Music Man:

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Pick a little, talk a little, Pick a little talk a little,

Pick, Pick, Pick, Pick a lot, Pick a little more.

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Laddie Morse — ArrowheadOne

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