Could the Chiefs add defensive tackle depth during 53-man roster cuts?
The Kansas City Chiefs have a defensive tackle depth problem. Tershawn Wharton hasn't yet proven that he's healthy in his return from last season's ACL injury, Matt Dickerson is dealing with a turf toe injury, and Chris Jones is now threatening to extend his holdout until Week 8 of the 2023 NFL season. The team might have to […]
The Kansas City Chiefs have a defensive tackle depth problem.
Tershawn Wharton hasn't yet proven that he's healthy in his return from last season's ACL injury, Matt Dickerson is dealing with a turf toe injury, and Chris Jones is now threatening to extend his holdout until Week 8 of the 2023 NFL season. The team might have to prepare for the possible reality that they'll have a very depleted interior defensive line room come Week 1.
Could the solution to the team's defensive tackle woes be found during the NFL's upcoming 53-man roster cut deadline? There will certainly be some opportunities to add players along the interior defensive line. However, their priority on the waiver wire is last in the league after winning Super Bowl LVII. Looking at players who don't need to clear waivers (vested veterans) could be key. That group could even include a player with which Chiefs DL coach Joe Cullen has familiarity.
The Indianapolis Colts have a battle going on between former Denver Broncos draft pick McTelvin Agim and former Jacksonville Jaguars first-round pick Taven Bryan. One of those players will more than likely be cut according to A to Z Sports Colts beat writer Destin Adams. If that player is Bryan, a vested veteran, Kansas City would surely be interested.
Bryan spent the 2021 NFL season working under Chiefs DL coach Joe Cullen, who was the defensive coordinator in Jacksonville that year. A former first-round pick by the Jags in 2018, Bryan is coming off the most productive year of his NFL career. He started 16 games for the Cleveland Browns and recorded 26 total tackles, two tackles for loss, three sacks, and 23 total pressures. He leveraged that performance into a one-year deal worth $4.5 million in Indy.
The 27-year-old won't solve all the Chiefs' problems, but he could certainly give them some more breathing room as they navigate what has become a complex offseason at the position.
His familiarity with Cullen's coaching could even help him hit the ground running in Kansas City.
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Featured image via Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports
