Kansas City Chiefs: Who is new Chiefs defensive tackle Khalen Saunders?

By John McCarty | May 7, 2019

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 02: Western Illinois defensive lineman Khalen Saunders answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on March 02, 2019 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Third round draft choice Khalen Saunders out of Western Illinois provides the Kansas City Chiefs with an intriguing defensive tackle option moving forward.

With one of their third round picks, the Kansas City Chiefs continued their run on remaking their defensive front with the addition of Khalen Saunders.

Saunder is a Western Illinois product that, at a minimum, will provide depth along the interior. Hopefully he is able to line up next to Chris Jones to provide a big, athletic lineman along the defensive interior.

Scott Holland of the McDonough County Voice in Macomb Illinois covers Western Illinois athletics and helped provide insight into the newest Chiefs defensive lineman.

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What does Khalen Sanders do well?

Khalen Saunders is a guy who seems to have a nose for the ball, he does a good job of sniffing a play out and getting the ball on the ground.
I’d say his biggest strength is probably his second and third step. He usually uses that first step to set up his next step or move, he’s powerful enough to get under a guy and move him out of the way or use his speed to get around someone.

Where does Sanders need to improve?

He could get off the ball a little quicker, I’m not sure how much of that plays into him setting up his move though. Also, he could use a little polish with his hands, he has a lot of power and can move people, but may need help shedding blockers.

Is Sanders better against the run or the pass?

I’d say the run. He was very versatile at Western Illinois, he played the nose, tackle and they even stood him up and defensive end in passing situations, but what he does bets is occupy two linemen and stop andy push up front.
He takes up a lot of space and can really shoot gaps and get into the backfield to stop the run.

How did Sanders end up at Western Illinois?

Western was his only Division I football offer, he had a couple D-I offers to throw shot put, I believe Missouri was one. He was kind of seen as an undersized tackle, so at Western he put on some weight and some muscle and really became an effective lineman..

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How would you best describe his play?

He’s a relentless interior lineman who is good chasing or when the ball is run right at him. He definitely creates a lot of havoc and whenever a team played WIU, he was the first guy offenses tried to take out of games.

Would you consider him to be a team leader?

I would say he was more of a leader by example guy until his senior season when you started to see him be a little more vocal on the sideline and on the field.

How would you best describe the Sanders the person?

He is very easy-going, very energetic. Western’s football team does a team talent show and every season Saunders was on campus, he was elected as MC.
He’s very gregarious and has a big personality. He has a baby daughter who was born during the Senior Bowl Week, so he’s a very doting dad.
His teammates loved him and he always seemed to be in the middle of the celebrations.

Sanders played some offense in high school. Did he play any offense with Western Illinois?

He was featured in a handful of goal line situations. His freshman year, it was as a lead blocker only, then his junior year he had a rushing touchdown at Tennessee Tech and his senior season he had a receiving touchdown against Youngstown State.

Western had worked on some specialty formations for Saunders, supposedly there was one that had him throwing a pass, but that was never used in a game.

My Thoughts

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Khalen Saunders is an intriguing prospect, carrying size and weight while still being really athletic. I’m curious if the Chiefs would have selected Michigan State corner Justin Layne had he been on the board, as he was selected the pick before to the Steelers.

Saunders is far more Chris Jones-like than Derrick Nnadi-like and it will be interesting to see the direction of the defensive front. At a minimum, Saunders can be an interior pass rusher on long passing downs (if the Chiefs defense can force those) and perhaps challenge Nnadi to be a starter next season.

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