3 Chiefs Who Deserve More Playing Time
![Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) runs the ball against Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) and safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) during the fourth quarter of a NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 17-9. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F50e41074ee26be59ab91dbc6a1bab89b2663eac0b7cccd394734a695d313723f.jpg "Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) runs the ball against Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17) and safety Rayshawn Jenkins (2) during the fourth quarter of a NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 17-9. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]")
2. Derrick Nnadi, DT
Nnadi was drafted by the Chiefs in the third round back in 2018 but never broke through for significant playing time, notching just 25 tackles and zero sacks last year.
With Chris Jones out of the lineup in Week 1 and rotating in Week 2, Nnadi grabbed his opportunity by the horns and looked fantastic imitating the Defensive Player of the Year Finalist. He’s got six tackles and a pass deflection through two weeks, but has been a stalwart up the middle.
This speaks to how well Derrick Nnadi has been playing
— Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) September 19, 2023
Making me eat my words, Nnadi’s been a stud at NT through 2 games. KC feels good enough to get rid of their other veteran NT https://t.co/n9GLmMAu26
Nnadi is playing well enough to make the Chiefs feel comfortable letting Shelton go, so the organization must see his contributions as well.
He was on the field for just 51% of snaps, but he represents valuable depth on the defensive line as Jones gets back to up speed. With a big, powerful guy like Nnadi rotating in, offensives will have a difficult time establishing the run and getting ample time for downfield passing routes to develop.
In a contract year for Nnadi, he’s making a strong case that the Chiefs need to keep him around.