If there is one Kansas City Chiefs defensive starter that is still quietly under fire as the NFL draft approaches, it is edge rusher George Karlaftis. The defender is under contract for the next five seasons, and the deal cannot be easily escaped with the potential dead cap hit offsetting any savings from a roster cut. However, this doesn't mean that the pass rusher's starting job is safe with the draft offering the Chiefs the perfect opportunity to add needed competition.
Karlaftis has forced Kansas City's hand after being paid as a top edge rushing option, before offering only 6.0 sacks in the 2025 season. This was despite playing 463 pass-rush snaps and having the advantage of playing alongside Chris Jones, who makes life far easier for edge rushers wreaking havoc on the inside. Still, Karlaftis hasn't lived up to expectations and become the clear star edge rusher the Chiefs are lacking.
On the other side of the line, the current projected starter is second-year edge rusher Ashton Gillotte. The defender has flashed exciting capability and gives Kansas City reason to wonder if Gillotte, along with a draft selection, could prove to be the needed pieces to unlock the Chiefs' pass rush. While Karlaftis isn't in danger of losing his roster spot, the defender could lose his starting role and is quickly becoming a large question mark.
Chiefs Shouldn't Hesitate to Draft Competition for Edge Rusher George Karlaftis
Holding two picks in this year's first round gives the Chiefs the ability to answer their two biggest roster questions, addressing both the pass rush and the secondary. One of these selections needs to be a player who will force Karlaftis to live up to expectations or take a seat on the Kansas City bench.
This isn't to say the pass rusher won't still be a part of the rotation, but that the Chiefs would be wise to add a player with starting ability. Bringing in a pass-rushing option to push both Gillotte and Karlaftis to fight for their respective starting roles is the juice that the unit needs as Kansas City attempts to solve its pass-rushing concerns.
The Chiefs are coming off a 2025 season with only 35 sacks, and a large part of this is due to Karlaftis not living up to expectations. Drafting competition for the veteran makes sense. Perhaps, the competition will light a fire under the veteran, helping him live up to his contract.
Adding pass-rushing options is never a bad idea in today's league, and the lack of production from the team's primary edge rusher demands a move be made. Karlaftis should be paying close attention to this year's class, understanding that even if his roster spot might be safe, his role in the starting lineup isn't. Kansas City is serious about turning the page on last year's struggles, which means every possible improvement should be explored, including bringing in competition for a veteran not living up to expectations.