NSLU: The 2018 Season is Gaining Clarity

Defending Against the Run

Overnight things shifted in our attention. Suddenly, the Kansas City Chiefs had solidified the inside linebacking corp, which has been an exposure for the past two seasons, and unresolved until Brett Veach stepped into the breach. Overnight, Veach signed the Dallas Cowboys Free Agent, Anthony Hitchens, who is a very solid Inside Linebacker and especially very tough against the run. I am not going to tout what everyone has heard a number of times yesterday about numbers. My view of Hitchens is merely from going back over tape. He is just what the Chiefs needed in order to stop the leaky play against the run. Veach accomplished, “JOB ONE!”

When you pair Hitchens with Reggie Ragland, the Chiefs hard hitting second tier defense became deeper and extremely solid, we can depend on this pair.

Defense Against the Pass

For the Chiefs, you will not be able to state that either Ragland nor Hitchens is going to be a stellar defender against the pass. Both know how to drop into coverage. If a man-up assignment is set, both men can cover and stay with their opponent to a point. Both have enough speed to close on a receiver in the zone, whether man or zone defense. Is this two stellar defenders? Nope. But they can get the job done and that is the point. However, between Ragland and Hitchens you don’t have to run them off the field in passing situations.

Then again, that depends on the other pieces of the puzzle that need to do their job and that weakness first involves the front three and then the pass rush from the edge. These problem areas remain unresolved, so at this point the addition of Hitchens is a crucially important pick.

Money? To get him, it cost $10M in cap space or… a bit less depending on the contract.

Unnoticed: A “Hitch” in Time

There is a caveat to having Hitchens drop into coverage… well, not so much a caveat but an additional skill. Hitchens also has pass rush capability that is demonstrably effective when deployed by the defensive coordinator. This skill will throw a “Hitch” into how opposing offensive line blocking scheme which must counter in their assignments. Voila! Veach’s depth at ILB is suddenly really important: Ukeme Eligwe KP-L, Ramik Wilson, and Terrance Smith for example.

Veach Adds WR Sammy Watkins to the Aerial Game

As morning broke here in the Pacific Northwest, it became apparent that a second highly important signing had taken place in the middle of the night: the Chiefs signed Sammy Watkins to a multi-year deal at $16M per. Again, the full details of the agreement have not been revealed yet. Watkins gives the Chiefs a solid 1-2 punch from the edges of the offense, whether it’s Tyreek Hill over the top or Watkins. Plus, Watkins is a totally solid route runner to boot.

This gives Patrick Mahomes another target for the aerial game to match up with tight end Travis Kelce, running back Kareem Hunt and the now #3 WR Chris Conley. Behind this, we have two more wide receivers — Demetrius Robinson and Jehu Chesson still in the picture. True, I have left Bert Wilson out of the view as he has signed with the Dolphins.

Looking Ahead, What’ Next?

Having shored up the middle of the line-backing corp, and added another tool for Mahomes to use in moving the chains –and more — what’s next on the to-do list for Brett Veach? If the Chiefs are going to stop the huge weakness fans have witnessed the past two season when defending against the run, they have an exposure in the middle of the front three and another problem with DE Allen Bailey being a “weaker link.”

We know that Mo Wilkerson visited the Kingdom and departed without a contract. We now know that this deal offered was very cheap: $5M and only a one season agreement. That’s a missed opportunity now because Wilkerson has signed with: The Green Bay Packers and while I am sure Wilkerson left KC with an offer in hand I am also sure that the signing related as much to his view of the Pack and having a good opportunity to get to the Super Bowl.

Moving On: What to Expect?

GM Brett Veach is still in the process seeking an added force to the front three on he defensive line. It is my view that if the Kansas City Chiefs are going to have an effective Edge Rush against the pass, but that it will depend upon the Nose Tackle position. When you add a force in the middle like a dominant NT — such as Dontari Poe once provided for the Chiefs — then it makes more effective the 3-4 DEs vs. the run. However, not only this part of the functionality of the front three in a 3-4, but it assists the rush from the outside linebackers.

So, the pass rush is the next component that Brett Veach is aimed at resolving. We can’t be sure of who Veach might pursue for the middle of the front three. The previously mentioned Dontari Poe is a Free Agent. Da’Quan Jones has the size, build, age, and ability and could help to solve this problem for Kansas City. Jones is a Tennessee Titan Free Agent and is only 26 years old. At this point? I would try to negotiate with him — were I the General Manager — and I would attempt to lure Jones to K.C. if at all possible.

The Draft to Get a Nose Tackle?

That is a much more difficult problem to solve but I think the Chiefs should sign Virginia Tech Defensive Tackles Tim Settle and go from there. True — I think Veach will draft to the Defensive Line, but that solution is down the road a bit. I am in a wait and see mode for resolution of this neglected situation but I do think Veach should draft the Hokies big man Tim Settle. He had 36 tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss and 4.0 sacks — all in 12 games during his senior year.

The 3-4 DEs and Free Agency

Much as I wish there was an alternative to Allen Bailey, the Chiefs have him under contract. I think his play would improve with the addition of a solid nose tackle. Again, think back to his game, when Poe was still with the club. On the other hand, the Chiefs have Free Agent Bennie Logan who played very well but was tasked often with run stuffing in the middle and not from the outside. The Chiefs could opt to re-sign Logan and move him outside. It would cost about $2M more than Bailey but Logan is a superior player. If Bailey were released, it would buy back an estimated $6M in cap space. Add $2M and I think the bookend 3-4 DEs would be solved. Brett Veach also needs to re-sign Rakeem Nunez-Roches who is a free agent.

No Less Important Questions and Leftovers

These aren’t less important questions. The Chiefs still need a Free Safety and another Cornerback even if they can add a Nose Tackle and another 3-4 DE. On the offensive side of the ball? Adding a Tight End and LOG should be high on the list as well. Did you think I left out replacing Dee Ford and did I have an answer for QB #2 or could Tanoh Kpassagnon take on a starting role?

Ah… you went to the well once too often.

-David Bell, No Stone Left Unturned

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