Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon
The interior of the Chiefs' defensive line is another area that needs work—arguably even more than the edge.
They lost Tershawn Wharton in free agency to the Carolina Panthers and Derrick Nnadi to the New York Jets. Meanwhile, Mike Pennel remains an unrestricted free agent. That leaves Kansas City dangerously thin in the trenches.
Derrick Harmon, ranked 27th on The Athletic's consensus Big Board, would be a terrific addition to the Chiefs’ defensive front. He spent his first three years at Michigan State before transferring to Oregon for the 2024 season, and the move paid off in a big way.
His production spiked, as he set career-highs in tackles (45), tackles for loss (11), and sacks (5).
At 6-foot-5 and 313 pounds, Harmon can line up anywhere along the defensive line. His blend of length, size, and strength makes him a disruptive force, giving the Chiefs the versatility they need up front.
His biggest weakness is tackling. He missed 12 tackles last season, which is something he’ll need to clean up if he wants to thrive at the next level. Otherwise, he risks being more of a speed bump than a roadblock.
Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Another option for Kansas City at defensive tackle is Michigan’s Kenneth Grant, who sits two spots higher than Harmon on The Athletic's consensus Big Board. Some evaluators are even more bullish—The Ringer ranks him as the 12th-best prospect overall.
At 6-foot-4 and 331 pounds, Grant is far more than just a space-eater. He’s a wrecking ball with a strong base that allows him to bulldoze offensive linemen. But don’t let his size fool you—he’s surprisingly quick off the snap and can burst into the backfield before linemen even get set.
Unlike Harmon, Grant is a solid tackler. He can take on blockers—including double-teams—and still bring down ball carriers in the same play.
If the Chiefs draft him, he would be an immediate asset on the interior, giving them a massive presence to pair with Chris Jones. Opposing offenses would have their hands full trying to move two guys built like brick walls.