With just a single pick on Friday Night, the Kansas City Chiefs did their best to give Steve Spagnuolo three horses that can impact the defense. General Manager Brett Veach did his job, and now it’s up to the coaches to improve the shortcomings on the defensive side of the ball.
With four picks on Saturday, the Kansas City Chiefs still have needs. Even though they’ve used all their draft capital to date on defense, I don’t expect that trend to stop. Yes, I think the Chiefs grab a wide receiver project in round four, but they’ll return to defense with two picks in the fifth and one in the sixth.
General Manager Brett Veach has spent the last two draft classes and most of his free-agent dollars this offseason, giving Steve Spagnuolo plenty of talent to fix the Chiefs’ defense. Let’s be honest: it’s not broken, but it needs work.
In 2025, the Chiefs drafted Nose Tackle Omarr Norman-Lott, Edge Ashton Gillotte, CB Nohl Williams, and LB Jeffrey Bassa.
Then, in the spring, Veach followed up by signing free-agent DT Khyris Tonga, Safety Alohi Gilman, and CBs Kader Kohou and Kaiir Elam. Over the course of two nights, Veach drafted LSU Cornerback Mansoor Delane, Clemson Nose Tackle Peter Woods, and Edge Rusher R Mason Thomas.
In other words, there are NO more excuses for the Chiefs’ defensive coaching staff. If you can’t make it work with these guys and some talented veterans, then we have a big problem in Kansas City.
Now, let me be clear. I in no way suggest that Spags is in trouble. However, Veach changed the type of player he added to the roster. In a departure, he’s reshaping the defense with speed, agility, and flexibility.
Case in point, Thomas has never been the type of edge rusher Spags generally likes. Thomas is fast, lightweight, and agile, relying on gut instinct to find the quarterback. In other words, he’s a free-style pass rusher – exactly what this defense has needed since Spags arrived.
Last season, Spags was slow to let some of his rookie defenders play. He can’t make that mistake again this year. Veach has given him a full plate of defenders, both young and experienced, who need to be ready for opening day.
Outside of the free-agent addition of Kenneth Walker III, Veach has largely ignored the offense. Instead, he’s relying on a new OC, RB, and TE coach to shore up the mistakes that were in plain sight last season.
The defense still has skilled playmakers like Chris Jones and Nick Bolton, but it needs a better scheme to maximize their talents. Veach can only do so much.
I’m not sure what’s going to happen today, but I’d like to see the Chiefs add a Safety and a side-to-side Linebacker who can make an impact. If that happens, it could round out a terrific draft class.
