Chiefs News 4/14: Chiefs haven’t done enough at DL to help Chris Jones

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 18: Chris Jones #95 of the Kansas City Chiefs walks during a timeout during the third quarter against the Houston Texans in the Divisional round playoff at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 18, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) | Getty Images

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Kansas City Chiefs’ 2026 90-man offseason roster is lacking in a few key areas as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches | A to Z Sports

The Chiefs haven’t done enough to help Chris Jones

1. DT Chris Jones
2. DT Khyiris Tonga
3. DT Omarr Norman-Lott
4. DT Zacch Pickens
5. DT Marcus Harris
6. DE George Karlaftis
7. DE Ashton Gillotte
8. DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah
9. DE Ethan Downs
10. DE Tyreke Smith

The Chiefs’ only offseason addition to the defensive line group has been Khyiris Tonga. It’s a good move, but it’s hardly enough to build up what was a massive weakness for Kansas City in 2025. The team will want to leave some room for guys currently on the roster to grow and make an impression, without sacrificing improvement. On the interior, Mike Pennel, Derrick Nnadi, and Jerry Tillery need to be replaced. At the edge rusher spot, Charles Omenihu and Mike Danna need replacing.

Kansas City Chiefs NFL Draft 2026 guide: Picks, predictions and key needs | The Athletic

Chiefs’ key positions of need

**Defensive end:**The Chiefs defense was dreadful on third downs last season, and much of that could be traced back to the team often appearing to be one pass rusher short. George Karlaftis and Ashton Gillotte are two young pieces to build around, but if the Chiefs hope to emulate some of last year’s top NFL defenses, they need more depth and rotation on the edge. Expect them to address this position early.

Dane Brugler’s top edge rusher prospects

1. Arvell Reese, Ohio State
2. David Bailey, Texas Tech
3. Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
4. Keldrick Faulk, Auburn
5. Ahkeem Mesidor, Miami

Ex-Chiefs DL Charles Omenihu shares controversial Super Bowl LIX take | Chiefs Wire

“I thought we were gonna dog ’em,” said Omenihu, “I’m not even gonna lie to you, I thought it was gonna be a slugfest, and we were gonna get it at the end, to be honest, because the only matchup, I was like, ‘our line is a little banged up.’ But beyond that, I wasn’t tripping about nothing else, to be honest. That (San Francisco) 49ers Super Bowl team was better than that Eagles team.”

The Eagles’ defense dominated the Chiefs’ offensive line, but Omenihu still believes the previous year’s matchup with the 49ers was a tougher challenge. Kansas City won that Super Bowl game in overtime with the memorable walk-off touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman.

The Washington Commanders signed Omenihu to a one-year, $4 million deal this offseason. He finished the 2025 season with 28 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 17 games played. Omenihu spent three seasons in Kansas City, including the 2023 Super Bowl victory.

Albert Breer’s Takeaways: The Prospect Who Makes Sense for the Jets at No. 2 | Sports Illustrated

Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq remains the most intriguing player in the draft, in my mind. I think you could argue, too, that if you’ve got a creative offensive coordinator/system, he has the best chance of any of the guys in the class to become the focal point of a team’s passing game. The Chiefs and Ravens would be fun landing spots for him.

10 Worst Free-Agent Signings of the 2026 NFL Offseason | Bleacher Report

RB Kenneth Walker III, Kansas City Chiefs

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid expects Walker to keep chewing up yards in his new home:

“He’s a good football player, and it won’t change. He’s not gonna change coming to us. He’s still going to be a good football player. As long as he stays healthy and moves forward, good things can happen for you. We know that the run game’s important and we’ve got good offensive linemen in front of him, so that will be a plus for him. It should be a plus for our football team.”

However, Reid alluded to part of the potential problem. Throughout his four-year career, Walker has struggled with nagging injuries. Last year was the first time he played in all 17 games.

While the 2022 second-round pick has posted two 1,000-yard seasons, he has never had 230 carries in a season. He has also never played 600 snaps in a season.

Walker is being paid like a bell-cow running back. But to date, he hasn’t shown that he can actually be one.

Chiefs have a linebacker problem draft buzz keeps ignoring | Arrowhead Addict

This draft class offers multiple early answers at linebacker

So if the Chiefs could use a day-one contributor at linebacker, does this draft class have players that line up with those needs in the top 40 picks? Fortunately for KC, it absolutely does. First, there is a small chance that arguably the best pure linebacker in this class, Sonny Styles, could slide to the Chiefs at pick No. 9. That may not be highly likely, but if he did make it to KC, it would be hard to imagine he wouldn’t be the top player on KC’s board. If that doesn’t happen, then there are still really good options for the Chiefs to consider at picks 29 and 40.

The following four linebacker prospects are all listed between 32 and 52 on consensus big boards. They are listed below with their college, height, weight, age when drafted, and average consensus big board ranking.

C.J. Allen – Georgia – 6’1″ – 230 lbs – 21 years old – 33.7 avg. consensus ranking
Jacob Rodriguez – Texas Tech – 6’1″ – 231 lbs – 23 years old – 45.7 avg. consensus ranking
Anthony Hill Jr. – Texas – 6’2″ – 238 lbs – 21 years old – 46 avg. consensus ranking
Jake Golday – Cincinnati – 6’4″ – 239 lbs – 22 years old – 50.7 avg. consensus ranking

It is not unusual for C.J. Allen, Jacob Rodriguez, and occasionally even Anthony Hill Jr. to show up in the first round of mock drafts, sometimes as early as pick No. 20 to the Dallas Cowboys. Allen, Rodriguez, and Hill would not be seen as a reach if the Chiefs took one of them with pick No. 29, and all four of these linebackers would be seen as quality picks at 40 overall.

Around the NFL

Cowboys’ Markquese Bell arrested for possession of controlled substance | Pro Football Talk

Collin County, Texas, records show that Bell was arrested on a felony count of possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor count of possession of marijuana.

No details have been released about the circumstances surrounding the arrest.

Bell signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2022 after a college career that saw him arrive at Maryland as a highly sought-after recruit, only to get suspended from the team and leave the school before ever playing a game. He then transferred to Coffeyville Community College and transferred again to Florida A&M.

Last year Bell played all 17 games for the Cowboys and was on the field for 32 percent of their defensive snaps and 63 percent of their special teams snaps.

Former Cardinals head coach, Titans assistant McGinnis dies | ESPN

Former Tennessee assistant coach Dave McGinnis, who also served as head coach for the Arizona Cardinals in a decorated career on the NFL sidelines, died at 74 on Monday, the Titans announced.

McGinnis, affectionately known around league circles as “Coach Mac,” had been hospitalized because of an illness since early March.

“My heart aches with the loss of Coach Mac, who was so much more than a coach and broadcaster — he was family,” Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk said.

McGinnis went 17-40 for the Cardinals from 2000 to 2003, earning the head coaching job after nearly five seasons as defensive coordinator. He also helped the Cardinals’ push for their current stadium before being fired following a 4-12 record in 2003. The dismissal occurred despite a breakout season from receiver Anquan Boldin, who was named the AP’s Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Patriots’ Eliot Wolf ‘gonna keep the door open’ for possible A.J. Brown trade | NFL.com

While there hasn’t been any movement on a potential deal for Brown, Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf isn’t eliminating such a possibility.

“As far as players on other teams, again gonna keep the door open to anything that we think may improve our roster,” Wolf said succinctly when speaking with reporters Monday. “Whether that’s with the player you mentioned or other players.”

New England’s receiving corps already welcomed an addition in 2026 when the Patriots signed former Packers receiver Romeo Doubs to a four-year, $68 million deal. Doubs joined the likes of big-play producer Kayshon Boutte, veteran Mack Hollins, speedster DeMario Douglas and 2025 rookies Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III, filling out a respectable five-man group entering the summer.

Still, Brown would elevate New England’s passing attack — a fourth-ranked unit in 2025 — to new heights, bringing newfound respect and an intimidating presence to a group that struggled mightily against Seattle’s “Dark Side” defense in Super Bowl LX.

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride

Draft Darlings: Blake Miller could be Chiefs’ long-term right tackle

How Miller fits with the Chiefs

Miller fits with the Chiefs for several reasons. First, he meets the size requirements head coach Andy Reid typically prefers at tackle. Reid often leaves his tackles on islands in pass protection, so length and recovery athleticism are important. Miller has both, and his testing numbers should translate well to protecting in space.

He would need to become more comfortable with vertical pass sets to play in Reid’s system, but that shouldn’t be a difficult transition. He has the footwork and athletic ability to handle it; he just needs further coaching.

Miller is also good enough in both zone and power schemes to fit what the Chiefs want as a run blocker. The offense wouldn’t need him to carry the run-blocking abilities, considering the rest of their offensive line talent, but he’s versatile enough to be a seamless fit.

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