The former Texas defensive tackle may prove to be a sixth-round steal. The Chiefs also made an attempt to shore up the inside of the defensive line against the run by drafting Keondre Coburn. While this gives the team more pass-rushing juice than the two departed defensive ends provided, the two new players may lack the sound fundamentals that made Clark and Dunlap so reliable on a down-to-down basis. Then in the draft, the team used its first-round pick on a long-term solution at defensive end: Felix Anudike-Uzomah. On the other side of the ball, Kansas City’s March signing of former San Francisco 49ers’ defensive lineman Charles Omenihu gave the unit another versatile pass rusher. Last season, the Chiefs’ running game became a weapon - and the play of their offensive tackles was a part of that. Smith’s eight years as the starting left tackle with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gives Kansas City a reasonable performance floor at the position in 2023 - but it’s unclear whether Smith will be an improvement over Brown.Īt right tackle, Taylor is likely an upgrade over Wylie - but in every respect? Taylor’s pass-protection skills have been one of his most impressive assets, but his run blocking will need refinement. We can speculate that the Chiefs might have missed out on a left tackle they liked in Round 1 - which led to the team’s post-draft signing of veteran Donovan Smith to a one-year deal worth up to $3 million. The 25-year-old’s four-year deal gave the team a strong start in replacing its missing offensive tackles - but we didn’t see another move until the NFL Draft, when the team selected Oklahoma tackle Wanya Morris in the third round. Kansas City’s first offseason acquisition was former Jacksonville Jaguars’ right tackle Jawaan Taylor. Filling in the cracks of the depth chart Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images Offensive tackle The team also didn’t retain cornerback Chris Lammons, who led the special teams unit in snaps during 2022. Other key departures this offseason included fullback Michael Burton and backup quarterback Chad Henne, who retired right after the Super Bowl. Clark and Saunders have joined the Denver Broncos and New Orleans Saints, respectively - while the unsigned Dunlap still has an opportunity to rejoin the team. The Chiefs will also miss the contributions of defensive ends Frank Clark and Carlos Dunlap, along with defensive tackle Khalen Saunders. Safety Juan Thornhill ranked fourth in defensive snaps last season before signing a three-year deal with the Cleveland Browns. Even though he played in just nine games due to injury, Mecole Hardman led the group in touchdowns - but found a new home with the New York Jets. While missing only one game, Smith-Schuster led Kansas City’s wide receivers in targets, receptions and receiving yards. The team also chose not to match the three-year deal wide receiver Juju Smith-Schuster got from the New England Patriots. Over the last two seasons, the two had accounted for 86% of the Chiefs’ offensive tackle snaps. signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, while right tackle Andrew Wylie got a deal from the Washington Commanders. Haffey/Getty Imagesīoth of Kansas City’s starting offensive tackles left in free agency. The perennial Super Bowl contenders will be in the thick of it again - but how will the team look different than it did a year ago? Offensive tackles, wide receivers see bulk of turnover Photo by Sean M. The Chiefs stand alone at +600, holding off the Philadelphia Eagles at +650. To replace them, Kansas City signed seven free agents and drafted seven other players - and still remain at the top of DraftKings Sportsbook’s list of betting favorites to win Super Bowl LVIII. Four legitimate starters signed with new teams, while six other players who had key roles did not return. To be exact, 27% of the 2022 Chiefs’ regular-season offensive snaps (and 25% of the defensive snaps) were vacated by offseason departures. But quite a few of the players who won it will be wearing another uniform in 2023. When the Kansas City Chiefs look up from their sideline on GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium prior to the NFL’s season opener against the Detroit Lions on Thursday, September 7, they’ll see a banner celebrating the team’s Super Bowl LVII victory.
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