The Kansas City Chiefs could've used another tight end. Instead, they watched a divisional rival, the Los Angeles Chargers, nab David Njoku and Charlie Kolar to add some firepower behind Oronde Gadsden.
The Chargers were always expected to deploy a run-heavy offense under head coach Jim Harbaugh, and judging by what new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel did with the San Francisco 49ers and Miami Dolphins, that should be a scary thought for the rest of the AFC West.
That may not be the case in KC, though. General manager Brett Veach prepared perfectly to face this scenario, revamping the interior of the defensive line with the signing of Khyiris Tonga and the addition of Peter Woods.
The Chiefs wlil be ready for the Chargers' run-heavy attack
With McDaniel at the helm, the Dolphins always had an explosive running game. And even if De'Von Achane didn't follow him to sunny California, he'll have a budding star in Omarion Hampton, who averaged 4.4 yards per carry and six yards per reception before a season-ending injury cut his rookie campaign short.
The Chargers' brittle and underperforming offensive line will be healthy next season, and that's also a factor to consider. Still, banged-up o-line and all, LA averaged 121.6 rushing yards per game last season, which was good for 12th in the league.
That's why it wasn't much of a surprise to watch the Chiefs add more firepower to the trenches. Chris Jones isn't getting any younger, and as promising as Omarr Norman-Lott is, he also missed a big chunk of his rookie campaign with a season-ending injury.
Woods is an NFL-ready run-stopper who should make an impact right out of the gate, even if he's not a starter. He drew a 74.2 run-defense grade in his final season in college, per Pro Football Focus, and he registered 21 run stops for the Clemson Tigers.
Tonga, on the other hand, was mostly a rotational piece for the 49ers, and he has a better reputation as a pass rusher than a run-stuffer. That said, having him there will push Norman-Lott and Woods from the start, and some friendly competition has never hurt anybody.
Steve Spagnuolo has always had success against the run. The Chiefs gave up just 105.7 rushing yards per game last season, good for ninth in the league, and they limited the Chargers' run-heavy offense to 90 and 94 rushing yards, respectively, in their two meetings from last season. They should fare much better now that they've added more talent to the mix.
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