Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp Preview: Defensive line is perhaps the deepest unit on the roster
We now turn our attention to the defensive side of the ball in our Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp positional previews with the defensive line. The Chiefs made a concentrated effort to return their entire defensive line from a year ago by re-signing Chris Jones, Mike Danna, Mike Pennel, Tershawn Wharton and Derrick Nnadi. It […]
We now turn our attention to the defensive side of the ball in our Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp positional previews with the defensive line.
The Chiefs made a concentrated effort to return their entire defensive line from a year ago by re-signing Chris Jones, Mike Danna, Mike Pennel, Tershawn Wharton and Derrick Nnadi. It was a smart move, as the Chiefs finished second in the NFL in sacks last year with 57.
Kansas City's defensive line features a nice blend of young talent and veterans. Young guys such as Felix Anudike-Uzomah, BJ Thompson, Truman Jones and Neil Farrell Jr. will try to push the veteran for more playing time this season. The DL group is, of course, led by All-Pro Chris Jones, who will continue to anchor the defense for the foreseeable future.
Let's take a closer look at the Chiefs' defensive line and what it will bring to the table in 2024.
Chiefs defensive line overview ahead of training camp
Who are the expected starters:
Left DE: George Karlaftis
Left DT: Derick Nnadi
Right DT: Chris Jones
Right DE: Mike Danna
Who is currently hurt:
Charles Omenihu tore his ACL during the AFC Championship Game and will miss roughly the first half of the regular season. He hinted that late November could be the target for his return. When he does come back, he'll significantly cut into Danna's and Nnadi's snaps as he can play every position along the DL.
Speaking of Nnadi, he was held out of mandatory minicamp last month as he was still dealing with a triceps injury that he suffered during the playoffs back in January. Coach Andy Reid was a bit vague about Nnadi's recovery, only saying that he's "doing good," leaving his status for training camp unclear.
BJ Thompson suffered a seizure, which sent him into cardiac arrest, during OTAs last month. He appears to be on the road to recovery and was able to attend the Chiefs Super Bowl ring ceremony. It's unclear if he'll be able to practice once camp gets underway.
Who is on the trade block:
DT Matt Dickerson and DE Malik Herring are veterans who aren't going to unseat any starters, and both have young guys behind them trying to push them out of the rotation. Dickerson and Herring are serviceable backups, so the Chiefs could flip them for late-round draft picks if they're comfortable with progression of the young players behind them.
Biggest Chiefs training camp battle: Starting DE opposite George Karlaftis
Sorting out the competition:
Besides Karlaftis, who has his starting job locked down, the Chiefs have seven other DEs vying to start opposite of him. Two or three won't make the team, and of course only one can start.
Who has the edge:
Danna has the clear edge based on past production, experience and the three-year, $24 million contract he signed during the offseason. However, it will be interesting to see just how many snaps he plays. The Chiefs need to work Anudike-Uzomah in the mix more this season to justify spending a first-round pick on him, and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo had high praise for him during OTAs.
Other young DEs not to be forgotten are Thompson and Truman Jones. If Thompon's medicals are good, he's a guy who plays with a high motor and has a lot of athletic upside. He flashed that in the one game he appeared in during the final week of the 2023 season. Jones is a versatile player who flashed during camp and preseason last year and has special teams value.
Biggest training camp sleeper: DT Tershawn Wharton
Wharton is entering his fifth NFL season after surprisingly making the Chiefs' roster as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He has been a solid rotational player since then, recording seven career sacks and three forced fumbles. Besides Chris Jones, the Chiefs aren't exceptionally strong at DT.
Nnadi, Pennel and Dickerson are solid veterans, but their best days are behind them. There's an opportunity for Wharton to not only continue to be a reliable rotational guy, but possibly start opposite of Jones. Wharton saw an increase in snaps during the playoffs last year due to injuries and he stepped up and played well.
Kansas City Chiefs Training Camp Preview: Chiefs sitting pretty at QB with Patrick Mahomes and Carson Wentz
Perhaps the best QB room in the NFL.
