Chiefs’ D-line projects as a strength again. Here’s why as our camp previews continue
With the Chiefs’ first padded practices of training camp on the horizon, The Star is previewing each position group.
Up first were the quarterbacks.
Here’s the lowdown on their defensive line.
2020 CAMP ROSTER
INTERIOR: Chris Jones, Derrick Nnadi, Mike Pennel, Khalen Saunders, Devaroe Lawrence
EDGE: Frank Clark, Alex Okafor, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Taco Charlton, Breeland Speaks, Demone Harris, Tim Ward, Mike Danna, Tershawn Wharton
POSITION PREVIEW
With every starter returning from last season, the Chiefs project to have one of the better defensive line units in the league.
Jones, who recently signed a new contract, and Clark anchor a group that totaled 35.5 of the team’s 45 sacks, 11th-most in the league in 2019. Jones paced the Chiefs with a team-high nine en route to his first Pro Bowl selection, while Clark finished with eight.
The defensive line’s performance in the second half of the 2019 regular season also played a role in the entire defense’s turnaround, especially against the run.
Nnadi and Okafor, who returns from a season-ending pectoral injury suffered last year, round out the projected starting group in defensive coordinator’s Steve Spagnuolo’s 4-3 base scheme.
On paper, the Chiefs have quality depth and versatility along the interior and edge positions to accommodate Spagnuolo’s numerous sub-packages.
Pennel, who returned on a one-year deal during free agency, and Saunders should once again see time in rotational roles. And the Chiefs will likely desire to see Lawrence, who previously spent time with the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns before joining the Chiefs’ practice squad in late November, get repetitions in camp.
As for versatility, look no further than Kpassagnon, who came into his own last year and played inside and outside. Harris, whom the Chiefs signed off the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad last season, can also move inside depending on the personnel package.
The Chiefs have a pair of players who didn’t play in 2019 because they were recovering from injuries: Speaks (knee) and Ward (knee).
Speaks, the team’s second-round pick in 2018, enters an important third year and the Chiefs are expecting big things from him.
The rest of the defensive line group rounds out with newcomers: Charlton, Wharton, and Danna, the team’s fifth-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft.
KEY BATTLE
Training camp is forever about competition and the Chiefs figure to have plenty of it on the left edge, headlined by a former first-round pick.
Charlton, who entered the NFL as the 28th overall selection in 2017, is plenty motivated to prove he belongs in the league after less-than-stellar stints with the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins. He signed a one-year deal with the Chiefs in April.
Over the past three seasons, the 6-foot-6, 270-pound Charlton has appeared in 37 games with 12 starts, totaling 67 tackles, nine sacks and 16 quarterback hits. Still just 25, Charlton could provide real reward if he finally lives up to his lofty draft status.
The Chiefs are set with Clark on the right side of the defensive line, but the team will have numerous opportunities to see how Charlton would look on the opposite end, which is currently manned by Okafor.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Speaks certainly warrants attention once the pads come on in training camp, given his missed 2019 season, but one defensive lineman commands it.
Something about a contract year brings out the best in a player, and Kpassagnon provided a preview in 2019.
The Chiefs’ second-round pick of the 2017 NFL Draft turned heads with his ability to play multiple positions on the defensive line last year. He finished the season with career-high numbers: starts (8), tackles (21), sacks (5), quarterback hits (11) and defensive snaps (702).
Need a blocked kick? The 6-foot-7, 289-pound Kpassagnon also showed in 2019 that he can do that on special teams, getting his hand up in two straight weeks to block a field-goal attempt.
Kpassagnon has the size and skill-set to not be locked down at one position, attributes the Chiefs will look to utilize often within their defensive scheme.
A strong training camp would serve as a good starting point for Kpassagnon’s contract season.
Previous installments, and remaining schedule, for our two-week Chiefs training camp preview series:
Monday: Quarterbacks: We know who No. 1 is, but what about the backups?
Tuesday: The defensive line: It will be a strength again.
Wednesday, Aug. 5: Sizing up the running backs depth chart
Thursday, Aug. 6: At linebacker, Hitchens anchors the corps
Friday, Aug. 7: Plenty of targets for Patrick Mahomes at WR
Monday, Aug. 10: After Ward, Chiefs have corner questions
Tuesday, Aug. 11: Among the tight ends, it’s Kelce and ...
Wednesday, Aug. 12: Safeties
Thursday, Aug. 13: offensive line
Friday, Aug. 14: special teams
This story was originally published August 4, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
