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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Charles Goldman

Chiefs’ defensive depth chart projections before OTAs

The Kansas City Chiefs kick off their organized team activities on Monday, May 22.

This is the first opportunity for both rookies and veterans alike to get some on-field work together. However, this portion of the offseason workout program is strictly voluntary, so not everyone will be around.

These are what Andy Reid considers “passing camps.” They’re not particularly great for the defensive side of the ball, given that there isn’t any hitting or contact. The defensive backs and linebackers will get some good opportunities to work on coverage, but that’s about it.

With team drills being allowed during OTAs, we’re taking a crack at projecting the defensive depth chart for the 90-man roster down below:

Edge rusher

Ted Gangi/CollegePressBox/Kansas State
Pos. First Second Third Fourth
LDE Mike Danna Felix Anudike-Uzomah Joshua Kaindoh, BJ Thompson Truman Jones
RDE George Karlaftis Charles Omenihu Malik Herring Daniel Wise

The Chiefs rotate their edge rushers enough that I’m not sure the designation of starter matters. I think Anudike-Uzomah could impress and get some action with that first unit by mandatory minicamp. Omenihu is going to play both edge and interior defensive line, as will Danna and even Karlaftis at times.

Defensive tackle

Ted Gangi/CollegePressBox/Texas
Pos. First Second Third Fourth
LDT Derrick Nnadi Keondre Coburn Danny Shelton Phil Hoskins
RDT Chris Jones Tershawn Wharton Matt Dickerson Chris Williams

I won’t be shocked if Coburn eventually unseats Nnadi, but for now, I have him squarely behind him on the depth chart. Wharton returns to backing up Jones after missing the majority of last season with an ACL injury.

Linebacker

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Pos. First Second Third Fourth
MLB Nick Bolton Cole Christiansen
WLB Willie Gay Jr. Drue Tranquill Cam Jones
SLB Leo Chenal Jack Cochrane Isaiah Moore

Again, Tranquill is someone who I expect to push for starting snaps. He can play all three spots and he could challenge Gay Jr. for sub-package snaps. I expect Jones and Moore to push Christiansen and Cochrane for snaps as well.

Cornerback

Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Pos. First Second Third Fourth
LCB L’Jarius Sneed Joshua Williams Nic Jones Ekow Boye-Doe
RCB Jaylen Watson Nazeeh Johnson Anthony Witherstone Lamar Jackson
SCB Trent McDuffie Dicaprio Bootle Reece Tyler Kahlef Hailassie

Watson and Williams were platooned last season, but I think Watson will have the edge for a starting job heading into Year 2. Sneed and McDuffie will probably rotate some of those snaps in the slot. Bootle will get snaps with the second team given his veteran status, but with the depth of talent within this group, don’t be shocked if that changes during the course of OTAs.

Safety

Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Pos. First Second Third Fourth
FS Justin Reid Deon Bush, Chamarri Conner Anthony Cook
SS Bryan Cook Mike Edwards Isaiah Norman

I think B. Cook will be given every chance to win a starting job, but I won’t be shocked if Edwards comes away with it. Conner will play all over the defense, including snaps in the slot. He’ll be in direct competition with Bush for a spot.

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