A Chiefs defensive deal with prospect for every draft spherical the place they’ll decide

The Kansas Metropolis Chiefs had some good gamers alongside the defensive inside in 2024. However with Tershawn Wharton, Derrick Nnadi and Mike Pennel all set to turn into free brokers, it could possibly be laborious for Kansas Metropolis to retain all three.

The Chiefs would in all probability like so as to add some juice to the move rush from the defensive inside, which might assist take away a few of the consideration offenses normally dedicate to defensive deal with Chris Jones.

Kansas Metropolis presently has picks within the first, second, third, fourth and seventh rounds of April’s NFL Draft. Let’s think about some defensive tackles who can be an excellent match for the Chiefs in every of those rounds.

NOTE: Rankings proven right here come from 2025’s Consensus Large Board at NFLMockDraftDatabase.com.

Spherical 1: DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss

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Top: 6 foot 3Weight: 305 poundsConsensus rating: 22

Nolen is likely one of the few defensive tackles on this draft class who could be value a modest first-round trade-up. He has a fast first step off the snap and is a relentless move rusher. He possesses elite lateral quickness and agility, together with violent fingers he can use in a rip approach to disengage himself from blockers. He additionally has a pleasant inside spin transfer.

Ole Miss boasted among the finest defensive traces in 2024. 4 of their guys are more likely to be chosen in April — and three of these guys (Nolen, Princely Umanmielen and Jared Ivey) will in all probability go within the prime 100. Nolen could be the perfect of the bunch.

It’s uncommon to see a man of his measurement transfer as quick and violently as he does. If the Chiefs choose Nolen at 31 — or get him with out promoting the farm — he’ll be a steal.

Notable mentions: Kenneth Grant, Derrick Harmon

Spherical 2: DT T.J. Sanders, South Carolina

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Top: 6 ft 4Weight: 290 poundsConsensus rating: 57

Like Nolen, Sanders performs with a excessive motor, using his fingers to detach himself and battle via the offensive line. He has an excellent really feel for spacing — and is a stout defender who’s fast sufficient off the snap to create havoc within the backfield. Sanders is the sort of man you’ll see across the ball over 10 straight snaps.

He’s robust sufficient to carry up on the level of assault, using his bull rush to good impact. The Chiefs may have to leap up a few spots within the second spherical to land Sanders, however it shouldn’t break the financial institution — and I feel he’s a novel sufficient expertise to justify buying and selling up into the 50s to get him.

Notable mentions: Alfred Collins, Darius Alexander

Spherical 3: EDGE/DT Jordan Burch, Oregon

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Top: 6 foot 6Weight: 295 poundsConsensus rating: 81

Whereas Burch is listed as an edge rusher, the Geese utilized him very like the Chiefs use Chris Jones and George Karlaftis, deploying him all alongside the road. And whereas there’s a lot to like about Burch, he isn’t an ideal prospect. Due to his top, he generally struggles along with his pad stage, inflicting him to lose leverage and get washed out of a play.

Nonetheless, his approach is well-rounded — and he has a well-thought-out pass-rushing plan. I simply want he had a bit extra of a nasty streak to associate with his versatility. However he brings a whole lot of juice as a move rusher. He could possibly be a pleasant complement to what Kansas Metropolis already has.

Notable mentions: Deone Walker, Omarr Norman-Lott

Spherical 4: DT Jamaree Caldwell, Oregon

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Top: 6 foot 1Weight: 340 poundsConsensus rating: 122

“Junk in the trunk” is Caldwell’s sport. His job is to be an immovable mountain in the course of the protection, swallowing blockers and operating backs to pressure every play towards the opposite defenders. Whereas Caldwell performs with good power, he (unsurprisingly) lacks fast ft. However he does an excellent job by profitable leverage and mucking issues up. Even when he doesn’t get to the quarterback fairly often, he’s the type of participant who frees up his teammates to take action.

Notable mentions: J.J. Pegues, Aneas Peebles

Spherical 7: DT Yahya Black, Iowa

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Top: 6 foot 5Weight: 317 poundsConsensus rating: 284

Black isn’t a really agile participant; he performs a bit extra upright than I want to see. However except for that, he’s a surprisingly good athlete for his measurement — and is as robust as a bull. He performs laborious, too: he could be one among this draft’s most violent tacklers. Whereas he didn’t put up spectacular statistics in 2024, the tape exhibits he’s a participant whose very presence impacts performs.