The roster of the Kansas City Chiefs is at the NFL limit of 90 players. While they still could make a personnel move or two, the roster they have now is at least close to the one they will take to training camp this summer at Missouri Western State University.
Here, we’ll continue a series that looks at the roster by position. This time, it’s the defensive line. We have covered the running backs, quarterbacks, tight ends, wide receivers and offensive line.
With the Chiefs last year: Allen Bailey, Mike Catapano, Mike DeVito, Jaye Howard, Dontari Poe, Nick Williams, Jerel Worthy.
New to the Chiefs: David Irving (undrafted rookie), Vaughn Martin (free agent), Rakeem Nunez-Roches (sixth-round draft pick), Charles Tuaau (undrafted rookie).
Analysis: The Chiefs invested a draft pick in Nunez-Roches and will give a good look to Irving and Tuaau, but the big additions will be the returns of DeVito and Catapano. DeVito tore his Achilles in the opener last year and that ended his season. The Chiefs missed his steady run presence. Catapano sat out all of last season because of a viral condition. His return gives the Chiefs another player with pass-rush ability. Still, Poe and Bailey will get the most work at these positions. Neither came out of the lineup much last season. Poe seemed to wear down under the burden of playing a large percentage of the snaps at 346 pounds. The Chiefs would do well to find someone who could provide him some adequate relief. Bailey had a breakout season last year, his first as a full-time starter.
