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KC Chiefs: Way too early look at defensive free agents after 2019

By Chris Clark

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 29: Jared Cook #87 of the New Orleans Saints gets tackled by Byron Jones #31 of the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter in the game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on September 29, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 29: Jared Cook #87 of the New Orleans Saints gets tackled by Byron Jones #31 of the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter in the game at Mercedes Benz Superdome on September 29, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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Emmanuel Ogbah #90 of the Kansas City Chiefs (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
Emmanuel Ogbah #90 of the Kansas City Chiefs (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line

With the switch to a 4-3 defense for the 2019 season, Brett Veach moved swiftly last spring to bring the necessary personnel. The Chiefs’ general manager quickly unloaded talented outside linebackers in Justin Houston and Dee Ford to make room talented defensive ends in Frank Clark and Alex Okafor.

While both of those defensive ends have had their separate struggles with injury this season, there was a lesser-known acquisition last spring that came on really strong.

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    • Last offseason, Veach was able to send defensive back Eric Murry to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah. Where Murray never really made a name for himself in Kansas City, Ogbah became a force to be reckoned with, with injuries to the Chiefs’ starters.

    Through ten games, Ogbah accumulated 5.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hits. Unfortunately for him, his season came to an end after suffering a pectoral injury against the Titans in Week 10. That was a huge loss for this defense.

    All is not lost, though. While Ogbah is slated to become a free agent after the season, Kansas City may be able to extend his contract before another team has a chance. This season has afforded the Chiefs at least a glimpse of what the big defender is able to do. This is one free agent that the organization should put the effort into keeping around for a while.

    Another soon-to-be free agent that the Chiefs should work to retain is defensive lineman Mike Pennel. Somehow Pennel managed to remain a free agent through half of the 2019 season. This is surprising because of the value that he seemed to add to the Chiefs’ defense right away.

    The big 6’4″, 330-pound d-lineman looks pretty good as a run-stuffer since coming onto the roster. For that reason, the Chiefs should look to retain him beyond just this season.

    One seasoned veteran defensive end that Kansas City could consider looking at this offseason in the Falcons’ Adrian Clayborn. Clayborn is a former first-round pick in 2011, who could potentially be used as a rotational player.

    He and Chiefs’ defensive line coach, Brendan Daly, did spend a year together in New England in 2018, so there may be some familiarity there. Being on the back end of his career, Kansas City may be able to get him for a little cheaper as well.

    Clayborn could provide a year of veteran leadership while they continue to see what Breeland Speaks can do in year three. The addition of Clayborn could be a cost-effective option for the Chiefs and also give them the option to potentially trade away Alex Okafor, who has been a bit of a letdown this season.

    Thankfully, the d-line has really begun to gel this season and will likely continue that progression into next season. At any rate, look for the Chiefs to retain some key free agent contributors and possibly change some d-line personnel headed into 2020.

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