An Overview of the Kansas City Chiefs Defense
The Chiefs were very good in the most important area, allowing the fifth-fewest points in 2025. How they got there was a strange journey indeed. The pass defense was solid, giving up the eleventh-fewest yards per attempt, the eighth-fewest yards, and the fourth-fewest scores, despite allowing the sixth-highest completion percentage. They were rock solid versus the run, finishing sixth in yards per carry and ninth in yards allowed. Yet, only six teams recorded fewer sacks, and just three created fewer turnovers. Their chances of getting back to the big game are slim unless this unit returns to the opportunistic ways that got them there in 2023.
To that end, we will see many new faces in 2026. Gone are several contributing linemen, including Mike Danna, Charles Omenihu, Jerry Tillery, and Derrick Nnadi. All of whom started games last year. Starting strong side linebacker Leo Chenal is gone, and the team saw three starters in the secondary sign elsewhere.
The franchise aggressively went about filling the voids, hitting free agency for at least three starters, and then using their first four draft picks, including both first-rounders, on that side of the ball. The front office did a good job of restocking the cupboard with quality veterans and talented youth. The next challenge is up to the coaching staff. We will have to see if all the new pieces can jell quickly. There could be some growing pains.
Kansas City Chiefs Defensive Linemen
Of the team's 57 sacks in 2023, 39.5 were recorded by the defensive line. In 2025, the Chiefs' defensive line accounted for 21.5. It was supposed to be the season that 2022 first-round pick George Karlaftis and 2023 first-rounder Felix Anudike-Uzomah broke out. That plan went south early when Anudike-Uzomah tore his hamstring in a preseason game. Then Karlaftis took a step in the wrong direction, matching his career low of six sacks that came in his rookie season. The hamstring has healed, and the projected starters are ready for camp. Both players have a lot to prove, especially Anudike-Uzomah, who has all of three career sacks to his credit.
From the fantasy perspective, there is potential here. However, there is plenty of reason to be pessimistic. Karlaftis had ten sacks in his second season. He's regressed each year since and has not yet reached 30 solo or 50 combined stops in a season. Light tackle totals and risky sack numbers make it hard to get excited about him.
Anudike-Uzomah was disappointing as a rookie and not a lot better in year two when he totaled 27 stops and 2.5 sacks. The Chiefs remain optimistic because they have to after such an investment. Actions speak louder than words, though, and there is a reason the team used a second-round pick on R Mason Thomas.
With 15.5 sacks in two seasons as a starter for Oklahoma, there is little doubt that Thomas can get after the passer, but is he a one-trick pony? Scouting reports tout him as a slippery, explosive speed rusher who is best working wide or moving around the formation to find holes. They also point out that he is undersized and struggles to escape when offensive linemen get their paws on him. Reading between the lines, what I see is a third-down specialist who robs rush opportunities from the starters but will not be on the field enough to make an impact in the box scores.
There is one more player who will factor into the mix. Last year's third-round pick, Ashton Gillotte, is somewhat reminiscent of Mike Danna. At 6'3, 270 pounds, he is not a twitchy edge rusher, but has the beef to hold up as an early down run defender who can contribute as a pass rusher. There were a couple of seasons that Danna was a borderline useful fantasy option. If Anudike-Uzomah flops, which is a distinct possibility, Gillotte could see enough action to be a contributor.
Chris Jones leads the way at the interior positions. He is one of the game's elite interior pass rushers with 87.5 sacks, 18 turnovers, and 39 batted passes over his ten seasons, and is a difference maker for his team, but he is a marginal at best fantasy option. The problem is not with his snap count. Jones was on the field for 761 plays last year. He simply doesn't make tackles. In 2018, he was 34-8-15, and in 2022, he went 30-14-15. In both of those years, he was a top ten tackle. In his other eight seasons, Jones reached double-digit sacks once and never came close to 40 combined stops. He has not exceeded 20 solo stops since 2022 and fell short of 30 total stops last year.
If there is any hope for a fantasy-friendly interior lineman on this roster, it lies with first-round rookie Peter Woods. He is young, having come out after his junior year, and has room to grow physically, but is a tenacious brawler. Woods has the versatility and quickness to be a one-gap penetrator and the strength to be an anchor. There are no grand expectations for him as a rookie, though he should see plenty of action. Woods is worth a late-round shot in dynasty rookie drafts where he can spend a year on the taxi squad.
For this season, look for Omarr Norman-Lott and Khyiris Tonga to compete for the starting job next to Jones. Both are decent players in NFL terms. Considering that Jones led the Chiefs' interior line with 29 combined stops last year, there are no expectations of fantasy value.
- Edge George Karlaftis – Possible depth
- Edge R Mason Thomas – Likely a third-down specialist
- Edge Felix Anudike-Uzomah – Watch list deep sleeper
- Edge Ashton Gillotte – Watchlist sleeper
- DT Chris Jones – Bye week flier
- DT Peter Woods – interesting dynasty prospect
- DT Khyiris Tonga – No fantasy value
- DT Omarr Norman-Lott – No fantasy value
- DT Marcus Harris – No impact