The defending Super Bowl Champs added some fresh blood to the defense over the past week. Veach and company went out and brought in former 49ers Defensive End Charles Omenihu, former Chargers LB Drue Tranquill, and former Bucs Safety Mike Edwards. What should we expect from them next season, and how does this bode for the remainder of free agency for the Chiefs?
The Chiefs made some significant moves last week adding key position players for the defense that can contribute right away. Mike Edwards who is a ballhawk, Tranquill who brings a ton of energy and enthusiasm, and Omenihu who is a versatile defensive lineman will be able to earn a spot right away on this Chiefs defense. What should we expect from these players in 2023?
Safety Mike Edwards is coming off his best season with the Bucs and is looking to continue that same trend in Kansas City. In a market that has not been safety friendly, the former Buc chose to come to KC in search of winning another Super Bowl and hopefully boosting his market for the next off-season. Last year he was able to total 80 combined tackles and 2 interceptions, one resulting in a pick 6.
With Juan Thornhill moving on to the Cleveland Browns and earning a three-year deal, the Chiefs were able to replace the former 2nd Rounder with a guy who is ready to start right away. Not only does he fill the role Thornhill once had, but over the past seasons he has been the best ball-hawk in the game and he will be able to guide Bryan Cook along the way who has been phenomenal in the last couple of weeks of the season. We should expect a big season from Mike Edwards in 2023.
Formers Chargers Linebacker Drue Tranquill is also coming off his best season. He totaled 146 combined tackles, five sacks, and one interception. Tranquill has always had a good game against the Chiefs and you see Kansas City took notice and signed the free-agent Linebacker. His energy and enthusiasm on the field will boost this Chiefs’ LB core and adds needed depth. Playing alongside Willie Gay and Nick Bolton will add to what the Chiefs lacked last season although they won the Super Bowl.
He is a good coverage linebacker in the middle of the field and that will bode well for Bolton who is not so great in coverage but was better last season than his rookie season. With Leo Chenal being a better run-stopper and someone who can be in on run-down situations, Tranquill will provide the support and more than likely take over that 3rd Linebacker spot while Chenal is still growing as an NFL Linebacker.
After the release of Frank Clark, the Chiefs signed former Texans and 49ers defensive end Charles Omenihu. Although the new DE has not measured up to the success of Clark, who is 3rd in postseason sacks and a key component in each of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl wins, the age and potential of Omenihu are what interest the Chiefs. With his size and versatility of being able to play anywhere on the defensive line, it added to what Spagnuolo is looking for on his front four.
Omenihu stands at 6’5 and 280 pounds and if you compare to what Spagnuolo has worked with before in Jason Pierre Paul, Michael Strahan, and Justin Tucker, it makes perfect sense why the Chiefs picked him up in Free Agency. Last season, Omenihu only totaled 20 combined tackles and 4.5 sacks, but with him being able to move inside when the Chiefs go to their Nascar package having all the best pass rushers in the front four, he will be an absolute stud and should contribute quickly in this Chiefs defense.
With his recent legal issue, the Chiefs are known for making those moves to bring in a guy looking to rebrand himself and put himself in a positive perception with the NFL. Andy Reid has a history of bringing in guys and making them better men, it makes sense why they went after Omenihu, who is a great football player and eventually who will become a better human being.
All three of those free agents will immediately contribute to the Chiefs’ defense next season, but with the deals, they have received, KC is still under the cap at about 10 million and can still make some efforts on the offensive end. They have already signed their LT for the future adding Jawaan Taylor a former Jaguar who is expected to produce 20 million a year and now they will await the decision of either pursuing Odell Beckham Jr or Deandre Hopkins.
Those moves more than likely if they happen, will happen after the draft or during the draft, but these recent additions do not affect how aggressive the Chiefs can be in free agency. Veach who has been masterful in his selections in the past off-season deserves credit and we should respect how he goes about it, however, he has always stayed true to being aggressive and doing what is best for the Chiefs organization. The off-season has just begun and we should be seeing more traction gained soon as it continues to progress and we get closer to the NFL draft and OTA’s shortly after.
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