The Kansas City Chiefs have had a top-tier offense since quarterback Patrick Mahomes arrived in KC. During the 2021-22 offseason general manager Brett Veach made it apparent he would fix the struggling offensive line, and he did just that. He addressed multiple positions on the offensive line through free agency and the draft making it one of the best in the NFL. Fast forward to this current offseason, and the defensive end/edge position is in a similar situation. It needs the dire attention Veach gave the offensive line.
Steve Spagnuolo is the current defensive coordinator, and his scheme is dependent upon applying pressure to the opposing quarterbacks. The scheme is executed through different blitz packages, but the most important entity is getting pressure from the edge. According to pro-football-reference.com, the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense applied pressure 26.4% of the time on opposing quarterbacks. This stat ranks them 5th overall out of 32. KC’s defense made opposing quarterbacks hurry 13% of the time, which put them 3rd overall. The most glaring stat is this defense only recorded 31 sacks ranking them at 29th overall.
The point is the defense is not completing the sack once the opposing quarterback is made uncomfortable. The Chiefs currently have six defensive ends on the current payroll, Frank Clark, Mike Danna, Joshua Kaindoh, Jonathan Woodard, Malik Herring, and Austin Edwards. Out of those six, two logged significant time for the defense. I am going to provide three potential edge rushers the Chiefs could sign this offseason.
Emmanuel Ogbah
Emmanuel Ogbah played for the Chiefs in 2019 when he was acquired from the Cleveland Browns via trade. He was placed on injured reserve on November 18th, only playing in ten games, and was a free agent following the season. He signed a two-year deal worth $15,000,000 with the Miami Dolphins. In his two years with Miami, Ogbah played in 33 games recording 83 combined tackles, 15 TFL, 45 QB hits, and 18 sacks. He will be turning 29 years old. If Ogbah returned to the Chiefs he would be familiar with the scheme defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo runs.
https://twitter.com/ReidOptionKC/status/1490932718884245504?s=20&t=qy5O95SdIiMVatdiAi14Iw
Kansas City could use Ogbah’s talent and offer him a similar deal the Dolphins did two years ago for $15,000,00. The deal could be structured with incentives to earn money based on accolades through the season. According to spotrac.com, Ogbah’s market value is three years, $30,498,000 with an average salary of $10,166,003. This would put him at No. 191 in the NFL and No. 21 at the defensive end position.
Ogbah would provide a boost to the pass rush. With Miami, he applied pressure to opposing quarterbacks 75 times. In 2020-21 his missed tackle rate was 8.7%, and in 2021-22 his missed tackle rate was 6.8%. In comparison to defensive end Frank Clark whose numbers were higher. Clark recorded a 12.1% missed tackle rate in 2020-21 and 24.1% in 2021-22.
Melvin Ingram
Melvin Ingram returning to the Chiefs would be a good move at the defensive end position. He provided a much-needed spark to an unsuccessful Chiefs’ pass rush when he arrived via a trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers. In nine games with Kansas City, Ingram started six of those games. He recorded eight tackles, two TFL, five QB hits, and one sack. Those stats may not be eye-popping, but he complements the other defensive end well. For years he was lined up on the opposite end, sometimes next to Joey Bosa, and those two caused havoc on opposing offenses. There is a concern for injury with Ingram as he has a history of knee problems.
KC needs to look into bringing Melvin Ingram back to KC for next season. Cuts down the edge on the OT and sacks Burrow. Gets low with the duck move bends the arc. This drive resulted in a FG for Cincy. pic.twitter.com/hS7U8cYrrL
— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) February 6, 2022
Ingram will turn 33 in the 2022-23 season and could be one of his last contracts. He turned Kansas City down in 2021-22 offseason to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers for one year, $4,000,000 only to be traded to Kansas City. I could see the Chiefs offering a similar contract he received from the Steelers. KC could add incentives into his contract, and I am sure he wants to play on a contending football team.
Ingram could once again provide a relentless pass rush if he receives help on the other side. If the Chiefs were to resign Ingram at a cost friendly deal they could add to some help at other positions of need. This is a no-brainer for general manager Brett Veach, assuming Ingram wants to return to KC. I would assume other teams witnessed Ingram’s output while with Kansas City and could attempt to sign him out of KC’s price range.
Harold Landry
Harold Landry is a monster and would be a complete dream signing for the Kansas City Chiefs. Landry is listed as a linebacker because the Titans run a 3-4 defensive scheme, whereas the Chiefs run a 4-3. Landry will also be seeking his first contract after his rookie deal. According to spotrac.com, Landry’s market value is four years, $68,400,120 for an average salary of $17,100,030. This contract would rank him 56 overall in the NFL and 7th overall in linebackers. This could be out of the price range of the Chiefs, who need to fill multiple positions.
According to PFF.com, Harold Landry enters the 2022 free-agent market as the most versatile edge defender.
"“Tennessee Titans edge defender Harold Landry III has had a larger disparity between his pressure production and PFF pass-rushing grade than any other pass-rusher in the NFL over the last three seasons. It’s difficult to reconcile Landry’s two numbers. More pressure generally means more pass-rushing wins, and more pass-rushing wins equate to a higher PFF pass-rushing grade. However, Landry highlights that isn’t always the case. PFF hasn’t been labeling productive pass-rushers with high pressure and sack totals but lower pass-rush win rates and grades as “buyer beware” candidates in free agency. Landry’s role in Tennessee’s defense makes it difficult to simply lump him into that group this offseason, though.”"
In four seasons with the Titans, Landry played in 64 games, starting 52. He recorded 256 combined tackles, 41 TFL, 66 QB hits, and 31 sacks. His versatility is incredible as he rushes the passer from a two-point stance or three-point stance. In 2021-22, Landry missed only four total tackles out of 75 (5.1%). Landry could also play linebacker for the Chiefs. Kansas City is looking to move on from Anthony Hitchens. KC also looks to be moving on from Ben Niemann and Dorian O’Daniel.