Ron Kopp Jr. thinks it might be time for a change on Chiefs DL
 

"The Kansas City Chiefs’ 2022 defense has not been bad by any means, but it has allowed 20 points or more in every game this season.

Some of these results have come in garbage time during blowouts, and others have been razor-thin margins and late-game losses. The fact remains, this defense still has a lot of room for improvement after the bye week — especially in one area in particular.

Analyst Suggests Danny Shelton Over Derrick Nnadi
Arrowhead Pride film expert Ron Kopp Jr. noted the troubling defensive trend on Twitter. “The Chiefs defense ranks 32nd in ESPN’s team run stop win rate,” he relayed. “The last 3 weeks have plummeted what looked like a solid run defense, but I just think they weren’t tested until the [Las Vegas] Raiders game.”


Kopp even had a suggestion of how the Chiefs may try to remedy the situation. “Wouldn’t be surprised to see a shake-up, like Danny Shelton replacing Derrick Nnadi [at defensive tackle].”

Obviously, ranking last in any category is never a good thing, but some fans tried to rationalize the statistic. One commented: “We’re giving up 92 yds per game. The last 3 games is 127 per game with 101 in the [San Francisco] 49ers game. The worst of these games was the Vegas game with [Josh] Jacobs running all over us and the [Buffalo Bills] numbers are skewed with [Josh] Allen’s rushing ability. We’ve been pretty good against the run this year.”

Others referenced the absence of starting linebacker Willie Gay Jr. during his suspension.

While all that seems fair, this run defense could still use some work and Kopp is offering a way that Kansas City could try and get better. Plus, according to the analytics, his assessment appears to be on point. Nnadi is the Chiefs’ worst-graded defender on Pro Football Focus outside of fellow DT Taylor Stallworth — who has only played 14 snaps. The 2018 third-rounder has earned a 32.5 out of 100 so far.

Not crazy about PFF grades? We hear you, so let’s dive deeper.

In seven starts this season, Nnadi has zero tackles for a loss. As a pass rusher, he also has no sacks or quarterback hits.

He’s supposed to be on the field for his run defense though, and those metrics are downright terrible. Nnadi has only been credited with three key defensive stops compared to two missed tackles.

Even more concerning is his average depth of tackle. Other Chiefs front-line defenders like Frank Clark, Chris Jones and George Karlaftis have an average depth of tackle under two yards — meaning they bring down the opposition before they can gain more than a couple of yards (on average). Nnadi’s average depth of tackle is 4.5 yards, which is poor for a defensive tackle.

Shelton is an enormous lane clogger who is known for his run defense. At the very least, his presence should help linemates like Jones break free more often.

Nnadi is one of the longest-tenured Chiefs on this defense and sentimental fans may not love the idea of replacing him, but when you look at the film and the numbers he’s just not getting the job done. Kopp might be right, it could be time for a “shake-up.”

Think this is just Kopp theorizing more than anything, but it's the bye week, so let's discuss left-field shit, right?

The full story:
https://heavy.com/sports/kansas-city...nadi-shake-up/

I've said this all year. When Saunders takes his spot the line looks much better.

Who? Someone with no credentials? OK

I can't remember if Nnadi came into the season with some kind of injury or not, but he definitely has been pretty invisible this year, while Saunders has looked decent in there. Nnadi has just looked pretty slow and unathletic. Most concerning to me is just how Nnadi just seems to get pushed backwards on nearly every running play. At least Danny would give up less yards at the snap. Would like to see a clip of Danny in practice or something that we could nitpick CP style.

Playing the role of Mike Pennel in this year’s Super Bowl run …

Nnadi got hurt last year in TC or something (can't remember exactly) and he's never been the same since.

I actually posted this article earlier today in a thread. There was some discussion about Nnadi but it must have gotten buried in the traffic.

I really stopped reading when the article referred to Ron Kopp as a film expert. He's some dude who writes an internet article every week. Definitely not an expert.

I've been saying all year, Nnadi has gotten worse over the last 2 years.

So he can't have a good idea backed by facts?

You're being closed minded. :harumph:

He absolutely can, that does not make him an expert.

Sorry, I keep stepping on your virtual toes, bud. My bad.:evil:

What if he has studied NFL games film for 30 years?

What constitutes an expert?

Who the **** is Rod Slopp?

No, I kind of agree with him.

Nnadi is not as good at this point as Saunders. Run defense right up the middle is weak, and Shelton would be a good replacement I would think.

At least Shelton won't go backwards. Nnadi's seen a lot of double-teams, but he's giving up more ground than he has in the past. Shelton doesn't go backwards. And he's got a reputation for clogging up the middle vs. the run. He's not a pass-rusher at all, but neither is Nnadi. And we need to plug the middle sooner rather than later, imo.

Would love to know what kind of shape Danny's in.

Who?

Probably my fault telling you how nice you are.

Is Nnadi Nada?

Dunno about Shelton but the guys right about Nnadi. He's been awful. Really dropped off a cliff this year, kinda baffling

Put Saunders in to start, he’s been killing it

No problem at all. Now it's not buried in a mega-thread.

Rob Knob must have been following Chiefs Planet since before the draft because it's only talked about or brought up no less than a dozen times a week in multiple threads.

Yeah at least one of his 'quotes' from a fan seemed real familiar.

I didn't even read the article but if you're a knowledgeable fan and can pay a little bit to the team obvious needs are obvious. The only real thing fans don't know is the development of practice squad players when are they good to go? We can all still speculate or write an article.

He is a terrible amateurish analyst

Still not even reading the article but better analysis of anyone on ESPN.

Did anybody know this BEFORE they read the article?

"Even more concerning is his average depth of tackle. Other Chiefs front-line defenders like Frank Clark, Chris Jones and George Karlaftis have an average depth of tackle under two yards — meaning they bring down the opposition before they can gain more than a couple of yards (on average). Nnadi’s average depth of tackle is 4.5 yards, which is poor for a defensive tackle."

Keep in mind, if you say "yes" you're a liar. :D

Pear shape

Definitely, and only offset from sphere by the protruding limbs.

But he moves well for a big fella and I think he brings more passion and juice than Nnadi is currently providing.

Yeah - I have a hard time disagreeing.

I like Nnadi. He's been a solid player for a long while but in the end, he's the 'anchor' of the run game and the run game has been bad pretty much his entire career here.

I mean...what harm can it do. Might as well give Shelton a shot.

Yes, picture a sack of potatoes. Then replace the potatoes with crisco.

This is probably it for Nnadi can't see him back after this year.

Have you been living under a rock the last 20 years?

When Rod Slopp talks, people listen.

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Bring in Suh and we can stop the run and get a little inside pass rush help.

Slob on my Knopp like corn on the cob

We don't need no stinkin' credentials.

FAX THE FOOTBALL BANDITO

Nnadi is truly awful

Ok, I don't know who Ron Kopp is either but that doesn't mean he's wrong.

I'm curious why we haven't considered Suh!? or anyone for that matter!?

...how is he still without a team!?

Nnadi has been wearing roller skates all year.

Has Shelton seen the field this year ? If not maybe coaches are waiting for Shelton to lose a little weight and get in better shape is the only reason I can even think of why he hasn't replaced Nnadi.

We have found Ron Kopp Jr pimping himself with this thread