Defensive line stood tall in Super Bowl run, especially with sacks, but changes loom
As the Chiefs prepare for the NFL Scouting Combine and 2020 NFL Draft, we’re evaluating each of the team’s position groups. Today, the defensive line.
2019 FINAL ROSTER: Frank Clark, Chris Jones, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Derrick Nnadi, Terrell Suggs, Mike Pennel, Khalen Saunders, Xavier Williams
INJURED RESERVE: Alex Okafor (pectoral), Emmanuel Ogbah (pectoral), Breeland Speaks (knee)
NFI LIST: Tim Ward (knee)
2020 FREE AGENTS: Jones, Suggs, Pennel, Williams, Ogbah
Position review
The defensive line proved stout in terrorizing quarterbacks, combining for 35 1/2 of the team’s 45 sacks — 11th-most in the league — in 2019.
Jones, who missed three regular-season games because of a groin injury, led the charge with a team-high nine en route to his first Pro Bowl selection. He added 36 tackles and a team-high 20 quarterback hits in 13 games while playing 655 snaps, which ranked third among defensive linemen behind Clark and Kpassagnon.
Clark dealt with a neck injury at the start of the season but eventually got healthy by midseason and finished with eight sacks and 14 quarterback hits after totaling just one sack and three quarterback hits in Weeks 1-6. His knack for being a disruptive force showed up in the postseason, where he totaled nine tackles, five sacks and seven quarterback hits in three playoff games. Clark finished the regular season appearing in 14 games with 11 starts and led the defensive line with 735 snaps.
Kpassagnon came into his own in his third season, showing versatility as a defensive end by occasionally sliding inside in the team’s 4-3 base defense. He appeared in all 16 games and drew a career-high eight starts, finishing the year with career highs in tackles (21), sacks (5), quarterback hits (11) and defensive snaps (702).
Ogbah, who notched 5 1/2 sacks, and Okafor, who totaled five, were well on their way to strong campaigns before season-ending torn pectoral injuries. Ogbah and Okafor each appeared in 10 games, with Okafor drawing nine starts.
Nnadi, Pennel, Saunders and Suggs each claimed a sack.
The line play in the second half of the season also contributed to a defensive turnaround in the second half, as the Chiefs clamped down against the run and limited opponents to 17 points or less in five of their final six games.
Suggs, whom the Chiefs claimed off waivers in Week 16, became part of the rotation and his ability to seal the edge paid off tremendously against the run, especially in the postseason.
Pennel, who became a key member of the interior rotation with Nnadi and Saunders, did most of his damage outside of the box score. Pennel joined the team as a free agent in October, and his ability to command double teams helped free those around him to make plays.
Looking ahead
While the defensive line proved a bright spot, there are big decisions looming on the horizon for the Chiefs.
Jones, who has been vocal on his desire to remain in Kansas City, is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on March 18. The Chiefs have the option to designate him as a franchise player on Feb. 25 in the event a long-term extension can’t be agreed upon. Going the franchise route could open the possibility of a tag-and-trade scenario.
Whatever happens with Jones will ultimately cost the Chiefs, a team Spotrac projects to have just $16.7 million in available salary cap space in 2020.
Suggs, Pennel, Williams and Ogbah are also scheduled to become unrestricted free agent, so the defensive line sets up for a transition period with new faces either through the draft or free agency. Pennel recently told The Star that he prefers to stay in Kansas City.
The Chiefs have defensive lineman Braxton Hoyett, Devaroe Lawrence and Anthony Lanier signed to reserve/future contracts in 2020.
On the chopping block?
It’s clear the Chiefs can’t keep everyone, with 20 players on the roster scheduled to become unrestricted free agents — including five from the defensive line.
Jones, though, provides the highest intrigue given the price he will command either as a franchise tag player or with a new contract. And it’s a safe bet if it’s the latter, Jones will command fair market value.
The fourth-year pro has earned the right to demand a lucrative contract In four seasons, Jones has totaled 33 sacks, including a career-high 15 1/2 sacks in 2018.
Now, the biggest question is whether can general manager Brett Veach get creative with a view to keep Jones in Kansas City given the team’s tight salary cap.
