3. Drue Tranquill, LB
Tranquill only played 37% of snaps on Thursday Night Football after getting 100% the previous two weeks. He was reportedly nursing an injury, so I'd guess the extended rest will help him get back up to his usual numbers.
Kansas City's defense will need him, as his skillset serves as a perfect foil to Los Angeles' passing attack. Quick, underneath passes to Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler have more or less defined the Chargers' passing attack in Justin Herbert's career and Tranquill is easily the Chiefs' best coverage linebacker.
This is just awesome stuff by Drue Tranquill. Not sucked in by the fake, has great zone vision on Cousins, sees Jefferson get inside, takes away window entirely. He and CJ being maniacs make this play work.
— Nate Christensen (@natech32) October 9, 2023
Probably the best coverage play by a KC LB since DJ maybe? pic.twitter.com/CNA3psTyVB
He's facing his old team too, so there's added motivation and familiarity as well. Tranquill, Nick Bolton and Willie Gay Jr. have formed one of the NFL's most dominant units. Their skillsets mesh and compliment each other, allowing each to utilize their strengths while covering weakness.
This interception of Russell Wilson perfectly displays how Tranquill and Bolton play off each other to make massive plays:
The Chiefs defense is playing lights out. This play by Drue Tranquill and Nick Bolton shows some of why.
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) October 14, 2023
Wilson has Jeudy sitting down against zone. Tranquill gets great depth but sees Javonte Williams leak out and drives. Bolton quickly replaces and Wilson never sees him. INT. pic.twitter.com/0CrBEdP8F6
With Tranquill, the Chiefs defense have an answer to everything the Chargers can throw at them offensively. L'Jarius Sneed and Trent McDuffie can handle the always-dangerous Keenan Allen, while the linebacking room can stop Ekeler as the pass rush gets home on Herbert.
Whether Tranquill is healthy enough to get more snaps in Week 7 or not, it's obvious his acquisition was one of Brett Veach's best offseason moves.
This defense is a legitimate force and Tranquill's versatility is a big reason why.
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