KC Chiefs: Way too early look at potential positions of need in 2021 draft
By John McCarty
Will the KC Chiefs look to add another piece to their defensive line, opposite of star pass rusher Frank Clark?
The Chiefs saw Emmanuel Ogbah make an impact during the first part of the season only to be lost to a injury and Terrell Suggs came in as a replacement. With those two now gone, Taco Charlton is now in on a one year deal and Tanoh Kpassagnon is entering the last year of his deal.
Do the Chiefs need to find young depth along their defensive front?
Xavier Thomas, Clemson
Xavier Thomas is an interesting prospect. With incredible burst off the line, Thomas rarely has to do much other than simply run past and around tackles.
Comfortable in space, he’s an incredible athlete. My concern is, despite the burst and get off, I don’t see much bend at the corner, at least not yet. Think Justin Houston but without the corner bend.
Isaiahh Loudermilk, Wisconsin
Tanoh Kpassagnon is a free agent after the 2020 season and Isaiahh Loudermilk could be a replacement. Not the pass rusher on the outside, Loudermilk does bring incredible size (6’7″ and 298 pounds) to the position.
He could rotate between being a defensive end and defensive tackle and at a minimum he could provide depth at multiple positions, having played both tackle and end at Wisconsin. Not an overly dynamic playmaker, Loudermilk is a nice rotational type prospect with the ability to help make plays.
Wyatt Hubert, Kansas State
Wyatt Hubert is a local prospect and an explosive up the field pass rusher, accumulating seven sacks in 2019 despite constant double teams, chips, and also at times being asked to play linebacker. Hubert has an array of pass moves and is quick off the line and also can be a good run stopper.
The question for Hubert will be size, as at 6’3″ and 248 pounds, will he add the weight to play the position down to down? For comparison, Frank Clark entered the league around 270 pounds, but is now down to about 260)