The Kansas City Chiefs only have 2 defensive tackles under contract in 2025 and will need to make additions to the DT room this offseason.
This year has the best DT class I have ever seen, and there will be no better way for the team to do this than through the draft. Let's take a look at some of their options, discussing five players the organization needs to draft.
1. Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Grant is my second-ranked defensive tackle prospect and is a guy that I think would be the perfect pick up for the Chiefs in the draft. I have five defensive tackles in the draft with first-round grades, and I think any of the five would be good grabs for the team at 31. It's very likely that at least one will fall, and due to the success of Mason Graham, teams may undervalue the athleticism of Kenneth Grant. I think any of the five (Mason Graham, Grant, Derrick Harmon, Tyliek Williams and Walter Nolen) would be good picks for the Chiefs, but Grant is my personal favorite fit in Kansas City.
Grant is my guy as far as the defensive line class goes and has been a big riser as people have realized how insane he is as an athlete. Grant is huge but moves with a level of quickness that is not met by many people on the defensive line, let alone someone who is pushing 350. Grant measures in at six-foot-six inches and 340 pounds, but has smooth movement skills and is far more than just a run-stuffer. He knows how to use his athleticism and has a pass-rush plan that can often be effective.
I have never seen a player with this much athletic upside on the interior of the defensive line and he would pair perfectly with Chris Jones. Grant sits at No. 9 on my big board, but is projected to go in the mid-to-late 20s and may be the most underrated player in the class. The defensive line class is deep, and it's possible teams will pass because they feel they can get talented players later on, but if Grant is on the board at 31, the Chiefs shouldn't have to think twice about sending the pick in.
2. Jordan Phillips, DT, Maryland
Phillips declared for the draft early after a solid career at Maryland and showed exactly why he did so at the Shrine Bowl. Phillips was one of the biggest winners in Arlington this year and showed off his athletic skill set and shot up boards. Phillips weighed in at six-foot-one inch and 320 pounds, which is a perfect frame to win with low leverage.
Despite carrying a lot of weight with his smaller frame, Phillips explodes out of his stance and has a really good first step to win early on the interior. He has violent hands and his ability to move laterally at his size is unique. Losing Nnadi and Pennel could have Kansas City in the market for a run stuffer, and Phillips is already a very skilled lineman against the run and has the athletic potential to be a skilled pass rusher as well.
Phillips is currently projected to go around 100 but I think he could go higher because of his display of athletic upside. Phillips' lack of production as a pass rusher will hurt his stock in the draft, but he has the athletic profile of a first round pick. Phillips is day one ready as a run stuffer or as a nose tackle, and there is clear potential to develop as a pass rusher, if he is available at 96, he would be a great addition for the Chiefs.