The Kansas City Chiefs will be searching to make a return to the Super Bowl. While the Chiefs have very good chances of returning with their base roster, it is the Chiefs defensive line that will need to play a key role in a 2023 Super Bowl defence. They had a top-10 (eighth) rushing defence last season and ranked second in sacks (55) at a blitz rate of 24.2 percent (fourteenth). The Chiefs defensive line has elite playmakers, although training camp and pre-season will showcase more of their talent. Still, it is never too early to begin dreaming of the Kansas City Chiefs defensive line stopping opposing running backs in the backfield.
Three Too-Early Predictions for Kansas City Chiefs Defensive Line
Chris Jones with double-digit sacks
Chris Jones is set for another dominating season. This prediction is a touch ‘easy’ to settle into the first slot. However, Jones is such an essential part of this defence, his work ethic cannot be understated. He played in all 17 games this season, the second full season of his career, and ended with 15.5 sacks for the second time in his career. Chiefs fans and coaching staff both should be excited for what Jones can deliver again this year. He was healthier than ever, and that is a trend which should continue into the 2023 season. Entering his eighth year, Jones can make his fifth pro-bowl and begin to set up a legacy intrinsically connected to the Chiefs dynasty. Jones will be the leader of the Kansas City Chiefs defensive line in 2023.
Felix Anudike-Uzomah plays majority of snaps on Chiefs defensive line by end of season
The rookie and Kansas City native Felix Anudike-Uzomah needs to become the primary edge rusher by the end of the season. The Chiefs need someone to replace Frank Clark’s playoff productivity, and ideally have that same level of productivity in the regular season. The Chiefs selected Anudike-Uzomah in the first round to fulfil this role.
As most edge rushers entering the NFL, he will need time to settle into a productive role. Clark landed only five sacks and 39 tackles last season. As long as Anudike-Uzomah gets north of five and about 30-40 tackles, coaches should see his first season as a success. Naturally he will need to have more productivity in 2024, but for 2023 if he becomes the primary shareholder of edge snaps post week 10, the Chiefs defensive line will be in good form.
George Karlaftis has nine sacks
Saying Georgie Karlaftis has nine sacks is another way of putting he has a “near elite” season. That is, he improves over his six-sack rookie campaign, but does not quite make the Pro Bowl. Karlaftis will become a household Kansas City name this season and pundits can commence talks about efforts to sign a longer-term extension. This is the most unlikely to occur of all the predictions, however. He will have to make consorted efforts to add tools to his pass rushing kit and become more than a nice player. Not everyone can become an all-star. Hence, even if he just adds a touch more tackles and disruptions to his rookie campaign, Karlaftis can become a name more fans have on their backs following this season.
Main Image: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports
