3 defensive standouts from the Panini Senior Bowl game who perfectly fit the Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs need some help on the defensive side of the ball.
The Kansas City Chiefs are entering this offseason expecting to retool their team. This isn’t a rebuild, as they’ve missed the postseason for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, but a retool—fixing what needs to be fixed so they can get back to the Super Bowl.
They have a ton of salary cap issues they have to work out first. Then, once they do that, free agency begins. After that, the 2026 NFL Draft will help them find players who can help them right now and in the future. As for the draft, it starts in Mobile, Alabama, at the Senior Bowl. All week long, players have been practicing and showing off what they can bring to a team in 1-on-1 drills and many other aspects of football. On Saturday, the game was played.
The game isn’t the end-all, be-all for teams. In fact, most teams pay more attention to practices than to the game. However, based on what we saw, some players performed well and could make an impact on the Chiefs. To break these players down, we’ve got some help from A to Z Sports’ Rob Gregson, who was on site at the Senior Bowl all week.
3 defensive standouts from the Senior Bowl game who fit the Chiefs
Caleb Banks, DT, Florida Gators
I’m not sure if there was any player who helped himself at the Senior Bowl more than Caleb Banks. Yes, I know Banks was a borderline first-rounder heading into the week of practices in Mobile, but he may have just solidified his standing. Banks was dominant at the point of attack all week, winning his one’s while also making his presence felt in team periods. The most impressive portion of his game was his get-off and quickness-to-power ratio. He’s one of those players that you insert into a starting lineup and have no hesitation when it comes to his transition. – Rob Gregson
Nadame Tucker, EDGE, Western Michigan
This is a small school guy, one who really made his name known this week. It seems like every single year, one of these guys makes their name known in the Senior Bowl, and it usually boosts their stock for the draft. Two years ago, it was Philadelphia Eagles CB Quinyon Mitchell who was coming out of Toledo. Last season, it was DT Darius Alexander from Toledo, along with Marshall edge rusher Mike Green. This year, it could be Tucker, who was amazing all week long. Tucker had five tackles, two sacks, and three tackles for loss in the game. His knack for getting to the ball, no matter how he is being blocked, is amazing.
Bud Clark, S, TCU
It’s not often you can draft a safety with 15 career interceptions. Clark stands out as one of the most underrated safety prospects in this year’s class. Before the season, I highlighted him as a candidate with the potential to rise into Day 2 draft conversations. Although he didn’t quite reach that level, Clark has repeatedly demonstrated his ball-hawking ability and a knack for making crucial plays in high-pressure moments. As he heads to the Senior Bowl, he’ll have another chance to showcase his instincts and playmaking skills. Time and again, when TCU needed a pass breakup or a key turnover, Clark delivered.
Kansas City Chiefs News
3 offensive standouts from the Panini Senior Bowl game who perfectly fit the Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs had to love what they saw in the Senior Bowl game.
