Most outlets that cover the NFL will point to the Kansas City Chiefs edge rusher unit as a position group that could use improvement. They’ve got a lot of young unproven pieces and could use the presence of a veteran to round out the unit for the course of the 2022 NFL season.
Pro Football Focus analyst Doug Kyed recently came up with one trade or free agent acquisition scenario for every NFL team ahead of training camp. They chose former Bengals and Seahawks edge rusher, Carlos Dunlap, for Kansas City. Dunlap remains a free agent after being traded to Seattle halfway through the 2021 NFL season.
Here’s what Kyed had to say about the Dunlap’s fit with the Chiefs:
“The Chiefs lost Melvin Ingram III to the Dolphins in free agency and are currently set to start Frank Clark and rookie George Karlaftis on the edge. They could use another rotational rusher, and Dunlap, 33, was efficient for Seattle last season with a 72.1 overall defensive grade, 15.3 percent pass-rush win rate. He’s received interest on the open market and is deciding on the best fit, per a source.”
After Melvin Ingram signed with the Dolphins in May, we named Dunlap one of the best remaining free agent edge rushers for Kansas City. Here is what we wrote about him:
“After spending a decade in Cincinnati, Dunlap was traded to the Seahawks midseason last year. The 33-year-old spent seven games with the Bengals and eight games in Seattle recording 35 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks and 35 total pressures last season. Dunlap’s days as a top-tier pass-rusher might be behind him, but at this stage of the game, he’d be a solid addition as a rotational piece for Kansas City.”
The one thing that is holding up any potential addition in free agency for Kansas City is the Orlando Brown Jr. situation. The Chiefs and the franchise-tagged left tackle have until July 15th to agree to a long-term contract extension. With that hard deadline, we should have clarity soon on whether the team will be in the position to add a free agent edge rusher.
What do you think Chiefs Kingdom? Would Dunlap move the needle for this group of edge rushers? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
