Roster Darkhorses and a Player Resurgence?

At ArrowheadOne, we have been writing about the 2022 Chiefs with Fervor, identifying the players on the defensive side of the ball, and illustrating why a great deal of optimism about the 2022 season is in order. I wrote three articles in a series, the first three focusing on the Chief’s defense–The “Shock and Awe” series. More work will be done focusing on the offense soon.

My biggest worry came in the third part of the series: The Defensive Line. I followed that up with an early look at the 53-man roster and identified two position groups where I think Brett Veach should acquire a Free Agent or work a trade to get the 3-down player. A free agent signing should be made. There were two, one each for the DE and DT positions. I still anticipate that after the Brown Contract is consummated, Brett Veach will add a significant player to the Defensive Line. Why? If there is any identifiable weakness on the roster, it’s right here along the Defensive Front.

Many other pundits, observers, and analysts have posited various players who might fit the bill, and those men could be brought aboard through a Free Agent Signing or a Trade. In the article about the Defensive Line, I highlighted why both groups were “light” regarding a proven 3-down Lineman. As far as depth is concerned, I think the Chiefs are capable. What is needed is proven pass-rushers are where I see the weakness, and it showed in 2021.

Could There Be a Roster Darkhorse at the Defensive End Position?

The Chiefs have a history of finding players who fit different roles and Stashing them on the roster as depth players or even on the PS. Brett Veach and his scouting crew find talent where it “lies,” and when the time is right, they have, in the past, made such player acquisitions. acquire the identified player. If I were to identify two such players already in camp for the DL, I would label either of the players as perhaps hidden gems to emerge in 2022. In that last “Shock and Awe” article on the DL, I wrote that the Chiefs might have known more about these two players than is available in public information given out by the Chiefs. I hope that both players make significant strides in 2022. Let’s take a look.

Josh Kaindoh- I don’t think Kaindoh was an afterthought. The Chief’s scouting effort had identified Kaindoh. He was on the Chief’s “Big Board,” and when the 4th round rolled around, Brett Veach snatched him up with pick number 39. They knew he had development tasks that needed to be done, so Kaindoh’s skill set improved. The NFL rating was 5.65(bottom of the roster). Kaindoh is 6’6 “-265, 34 1/2” arm length with big hands. So we have pick 144 in the draft, and fans knew he was not anticipated as a starter right away. But Josh has the attributes and speed in his assets matrix that made him a target in the draft. Looking at how the analysts view him for the 2021 draft, Kaindoh had these strengths:

• Long, NFL-caliber frame with even more room for muscle.
• Adequate upfield spring off the snap and into the neutral zone.
• Initial quickness and body lean help him knife into B-gap on slants.
• Uses length to separate and set the edge.
• Capable of getting from one edge to the other with his rush counter.
• Speed-to-power conversion potential as a pro.
• Length could become a more effective rush weapon with work.

His weaknesses?

• He has dealt with injuries and made just ten career starts.
• Play tends to be segmented and lacks athletic fluidity.
• He Doesn’t use size traits to command the rep.
• Below-average rush; only one sack in 11 games.
• He needs to work on more robust use of his hands.
• Not enough bend to dip below the punch at the top of the rush.

My review of all the information I could find was that he started his Junior season with a bang, but then a leg injury ended his season(2020), but he declared for the draft in 2021. In the first three games of 2020, he contributed 9 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 1 sack. He had garnered a lot of scout attention. Unfortunately, the injury occurred in weak four, and he was out for the rest of the season. Kaindoh’s RAS tells a bit more of the story, though. The Numbers shown in the RAS table exceed the essential ratings you see from analysts and pundits. From this perspective, Joshofferss a ton of upside.

I fear he may be injury-prone, but we need to see what he accomplishes in year two on the Chief’s roster. After he was brought on board, I wrote an article about the possibilities in 2021.

I am not sure where this goes for Kaindoh. He got in-game snaps in 2021, but his participation was curtailed by injury. Prognostication is all I have to offer, but I wonder if the New DL coach and Steve Spagnuolo know more about what we might expect of Joshua Kaindoh in 2022.

Could There Be a Roster Darkhorse at the Defensive Tackle Position?

Malik Herring- Herring played DT for the Georgia Bulldogs. I had my eye on him for the NFL draft, but Herring suffered at the Senior Bowl, which prevented him from taking the field in 2021. Hence, he fell out of the bottom of the draft, which is how he came to the Chiefs as a UDFA. Malik spent last year on the Injured Reserve.

I can’t say why the NFL viewed Herring as a 5.68-rated player. He was productive, but the evaluation was for him to be a bottom-of-roster player as well–the same as Josh Kaindoh.

What I do know about Herring’s career at Georgia was earned high accoladPerhapshaps the injury was the reason for the rating. At the same time, the evaluations were much like the following from Lance Zierlein: “Herring carries a girthy lower body, but he lacks the prototypical build and traits at defensive end. He can beat blocks with skill and flashes occasional slipperiness in playing off or around blocks to make tackles. He possesses decent instincts and skill as a rusher but is missing the juice to get to quarterbacks from off the edge.”

Despite the stats, Lance Zierlein lists Herring’s weaknesses(I see most of them as coachable issues):

• Get off burst not sudden when attacking the pocket.
• Average quickness, Change of Direction is Sluggish.
• Doesn’t have an NFL closing burst or a secondary rush motor.
• Contact balance and footwork is below average in his pass-rush counters.
• Needs better body composure into first contact.

In 2019, Malik was the MiPP Defensive player. He had 18 QB Pressures(3rd among all of the conference defenders). In 2020, he improved on his stats, recording 24 QBPs PFF’s view of Herring was that he was the “Ultimate Glue Guy” on Georgia’s DL. However, PFF also noted that he could play in any alignment or position along the defensive front. That tells me that Malik has football moxie. Unfortunately, Herring was injured in the Senior Bowl practice with a torn ACL. Hence the draft and his being on the IR with Kansas City.

I do not have Herring’s RAS to show more.

Can We Anticipate a Starter’s Resurgence?

I can’t know what the Chief’s organization believes about Kaindoh and Herring. The new DL Coach Joe Cullen and DC Steve Spagnuolo may be confident in both players. Perhaps evidence of this is found in the 2022 draft–the only picked one player on the DL, George Karlaftis. I gained a bit of insight into how Cullen views the DL. He is confident, as you can tell from his words in pressers. During the OTAs, he stated: “Well, I’ll tell you what, those are two of my favorite guys. I was at another place when they were coming out. I mean, I expect those guys to have career years and play the best they have in their career. And if we do that, that will elevate the whole team. And I expect that. Those guys who work — and this is voluntary — this is not mandatory. I’ve been in touch with both of those guys and love the way they play and love what they’re all about.”

Cullen was speaking about Frank Clark and Chris Jones. I see a very positive DL coach who believes Clark will have a great season. I have faith in Chris Jones(of course). BUT we need to see a resurgent “Shark” this year. Cullen appears to have a very positive view of Clark for 2022. The Front Four must have it. Perhaps the change to a New DL Coach will have a good effect. Cullen was the DL coach for the Ravens the previous four seasons.

My Bottom Line?

It would be great to have two Dark Horses emerge in 2022 and see the rebirth of the “Shark.” Joe Cullen is an accomplished DL coach, and maybe we will see a significant improvement by the defensive line player in 2022.

I do not see either Kaindoh or Herring emerging to the significant snap level(starter level) at DE or DT. However, I do see Clark returning to form. Let’s hope that Clark does indeed return to form. I still have two “+1” player positions on the 53-man roster. No matter what.

David Bell – ArrowheadOne