Chiefs: Why signing Charles Omenihu was a move fans will love in a year

It seems like no one is talking about ho big of a move the Chiefs just made.

Justin Churchill College Football & NFL Trending News Writer
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The Kansas City Chiefs made a signing during free agency that was one of the more underrated in the entire league. This team needed a few things and was able to check some of them off.

They lost Orlando Brown Jr. and got a guy they think is better in Jawaan Taylor. They lost Juan Thornhill and Khalen Saunders and added Drue Tranquill and Mike Edwards.

But, none of those is the underrated signing that I'm talking about. They were able to go out and get one of the best "under the radar" defensive guys available in free agency in Charles Omenihu, who was a huge part of the San Francisco 49ers' number one ranked defense.

But, what is it that makes him underrated? What is it that makes him the biggest steal of all free agency?

Well, it's the numbers that you don't see, or that the national media won't show you. Sure, he only had five total sacks, but it's deeper than that.

Omenihu has a chance to become part of an elite pass rush. And here is why:

Let's start with what we already know, and that's the fact that even last year the Chiefs had a crazy good pass rush. If the Eagles weren't a record-breaking sack team with over 70 in a season, the Chiefs would have finished first in that category with 55.

They got production in the sacks department from everyone, including their cornerbacks, as Steve Spagnuolo would occasionally send one on a blitz. Mainly though, it was Chris Jones, who had the best season of his career as he finished with 15.5 sacks.

The three main edge rushers last season finished with 15 sacks alone. Frank Clark with five, George Karlaftis with six, and Carlos Dunlap with four. Losing Frank Clark, as far as we know, won't help, but adding in Omenihu will replace what Clark did, and more.

In fact, I'm willing to bet Omenihu's production will make up for losing Dunlap and Clark, and I think Karlaftis and Omenihu can be a great duo.

The former Houston Texan and 49er had a great season last year rushing the passer, especially when you break it all down.

Here is a list of the edge rusher last season who had a higher pass-rush win rate than Omenihu: Myles Garrett, Nick Bosa, Micah Parsons, Za'Darius Smith, and Trey Hendrickson. Per Pro Football Focus, his pass rush win rate is 20.7%, which is higher than Chris Jones' 20.4%, which was the highest at his position.

Omenihu was also in the top 16 in total pressures of all players with 62. Just for reference, Clark was 37th in pass rush win rate at 13%. The former fifth-rounder in the 2019 draft is also just 25 years old, while Clark is about to be 30, so the replacement is perfect.

We will miss Clark a ton, and all of his crazy interviews after the Championship games and Super Bowls. We will also miss the fact that he hits a different level in the postseason. But, it was time. He saved the Chiefs money, and the production during the season just wasn't matching the contract.

But, it's fine. He will one day be in the ring of honor for the Chiefs. But now it's time for something better, and that's Omenihu.