Five Chiefs defenders making the most of the preseason

Get (or keep) the hype train rolling on these five Chiefs for 2021.

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To say the Kansas City Chiefs defense has been improved this preseason would be an understatement. The Chiefs “first team” defense (missing Frank Clark, Derrick Nnadi, and a game of Willie Gay) has allowed 56 total yards on 7 drives and just 3 first downs. While that comes with the caveat of the preseason being fairly vanilla on both sides of the ball, allowing just 8 yards a drive through 7 drives is still quite impressive.

While the defense as a whole is playing well together, there have been several individuals that have maximized their preseason reps and shown well through two games. Today, we’re taking a look at five players that have played well and re-set their expectations for the 2021 season on the defensive side of the ball.

Chris Jones

Craig Stout @barleyhop

If Chris Jones isn't on your DPOY shortlist, you need to rectify that. He's looked great transitioning to DE, and he's still getting quality DT reps. Beats DJ Humphries with a two-hand swipe to the inside, and changes his rush path in the backfield to corral Kyler for the sack.

The biggest talking point on this side of the ball during the offseason has been Jones’ move to defensive end and whether or not it was the right move. I even took a look at every run snap and pass rush snap he took at the position in 2020 to give a baseline of what to expect.

He’s already exceeded that baseline, and then some.

Jones has been terrific off the edge for Steve Spagnuolo’s defense through the preseason, notching a sack (and another on the inside) and multiple run stops. While questions about his ability in space remain, he’s answered almost everything else that could have been asked for him at defensive end.

Jones went from a question mark at the position to what appears to be an above average starter in the span of one offseason — something that must delight Spagnuolo and Brett Veach. With Jones’ pass rush reps still coming on the inside in some dime looks, there is warranted defensive player of the year buzz for the Chiefs superstar defender.

L’Jarius Sneed

Craig Stout @barleyhop

L'Jarius Sneed looks EVEN BETTER than he did his rookie season thus far, and looks primed to take the next step into a household name in 2021. He'll be set up in advantageous positions to make plays on the ball on the outside, as well as blitz/run fit from the slot.

The Chiefs cornerback room was rife with uncertainty going into OTA’s. The team had acquired a lot of “buy-low” players with talent that could slide in to multiple positions, raising questions about where Sneed — the team’s blue-chip talent at cornerback — would play in 2021.

The answer? Everywhere.

Sneed will play on the outside in the base defense for Spagnuolo before kicking inside to the slot in sub-packages — a position he thrived in to finish the 2020 season. Through two preseason games, he looks every bit the part in both spots, mirroring routes, blanketing receivers, and fiercely defending the run. Spagnuolo has even dialed up some preseason blitzes featuring Sneed, making sure to highlight a skill the Chiefs found in 2020.

While the Chiefs have skated by with low investments at the cornerback positions, Sneed’s emergence — and apparent year two progress — signify that they have found a true diamond in the rough. He was arguably the team’s best cornerback in his rookie season, and he appears ready to solidify that spot this year — even with a step up from the rest of the group.

Willie Gay, Jr.

Craig Stout @barleyhop

Willie Gay looks comfortable and like he's seeing the game well in year two for KC. ID's the pulling blocker quickly, moves across the formation with eyes in the backfield, engages and stacks OT and drives through outside shoulder to squeeze gap, sheds to help make tackle.

Gay has only played one game of the preseason, but I’ve already seen signs of growth for the linebacker’s sophomore season. We know the athleticism stands out in this linebacker group, but the mental reps we got to see in preseason week two should give Chiefs fans something to be seriously excited about.

Gay looks like a player who understands the defense better, sees the game quicker, and can use his elite athleticism even better to make an impact at the second level. With an improved Anthony Hitchens and a deep defensive line in front of him, this front seven could turn from a middling group in 2020 to a force to be reckoned with in 2021. If they take that step, Gay’s evolution as a defender under Spagnuolo should be a major reason why.

Tershawn Wharton

Craig Stout @barleyhop

Tershawn Wharton has looked bigger and stronger this preseason, and he's unleashing more of his pass rush repertoire. His bread-and-butter euro-step is winning often this preseason, as he looks more explosive crossing the face of the OL. Plus the HIGH motor to help finish.

Wharton was an absolute steal as an undrafted free agent for the Chiefs in 2020. He burst onto the scene during training camp, beating out some higher-drafted defensive lineman and not only earned a spot on the active roster — he earned significant snaps as an interior rusher in Spagnuolo’s dime defense.

Expectations for Wharton in year two were largely the same as a smaller defensive lineman, but he’s re-set the bar for himself through the preseason. Wharton looks bigger and stronger in the run game, more than holding his own against base blocks and re-setting the line of scrimmage. He also added to his pass rush arsenal, showcasing an effective spin, a forklift, and his usual euro-step across the face of the lineman.

Wharton was always going to be a contributor in this defense, but with the addition of Jarran Reed, he may have gone a bit overlooked this offseason. Through two games, he’s been a force on the interior — especially against the pass — that looks to have taken some serious steps forward in year two.

Joshua Kaindoh

Craig Stout @barleyhop

Joshua Kaindoh's athleticism and body control show up when you watch him, and it looks like he's getting more comfortable at this level. Squeezes down the line, QB reads that he's playing the dive, but Kaindoh has the flexibility to plant and change direction to make the TFL.

I can hear your screams about Tim Ward even before I start, but hear me out on this one: Joshua Kaindoh might be the young defensive end making the most of his preseason. Ward has been terrific — as I wrote last week — but Kaindoh’s week two gave us a glimpse of a ridiculously high ceiling pass rusher.

Kaindoh has the athletic profile and the background that signal a high ceiling prospect, but he’s still learning some of the nuances of the game. It’s not expected that he’ll burst onto the scene in year one, but could find some reps and grow into a more serious role in year two. That said, in week two of the preseason, there were multiple plays where Kaindoh made an impact by reading, reacting, and utilizing that athletic profile to create negative plays.

While Ward is showcasing what he’s got in year three of the Chiefs system, Kaindoh appears to be picking up the defense in preseason of year one. If he can transition quicker than expected, the Chiefs might have a more major addition to the defensive end room than we thought.

And if he’s able to keep learning at the rate he has so far? The Chiefs may have landed a starting defensive end in 2022 in the fourth round of the 2021 draft.