Defensive end may have just become the most interesting position for next offseason.

[Direckshun]

Alex Okafor: free agent
Tanoh Kpassagnon: free agent
Taco Charlton: free agent
Demone Harris: free agent

Current 2021 DE depth chart: Frank Clark, Breeland Speaks, Michael Danna

Besides the questions that swirl around the latter two players on that list, which players from the impending free agent class the Chiefs try to keep will also be fascinating.

Not to mention, since we hired Spags, the Chiefs have *loaded the hell up* at DE, keeping the room constantly full so the team can play a four-man rotation at DE, which Spags loves to do. Hell, that depth paid off anyway because we lost THREE DEs last season and still marched into the playoffs with Clark, Suggs, Kpassagnon, and Demone Harris. The Chiefs play tons of DEs, as Spags always does.

So the activity from Veach in a cap-strapped offseason is going to be fascinating, right? What mid-level bargains can Veach poach? Or will Speaks and Danna both show enough to keep that from happening?

The DE position is fascinating now. Will Speaks even make the team? Demone Harris likely won’t — but maybe they protect him on the practice squad? What the hell is Michael Danna? Will the team make a run for a one-year rental of Everson Griffin or Jadeveon Clowney?

DE has always been my favorite position to watch, and under Spags that’s only enhanced. This coming year is going to be really, really interesting, and personally I think we’re going to be surprised a lot.

[KurtCobain]

My gut tells me that veach is still gambling a lot on Speaks panning out. And I wouldn't be surprised to see some type of mid round pick sent out midseason for defensive end or offensive lineman who has a couple of years left on a rookie contract. In fact, I'm expecting it.

[Dunerdr]

I think its a bet on speaks and theyll try to extend taco.

[kccrow]

Alot should be told by how Kpass, Taco, and Speaks play this year.

This issue is why I was extremely surprised the Chiefs didn't go after Epenesa when he fell in the draft but they had their sights set on Gay.

Anyhow, I expect we'll see Speaks stick around. I'd imagine they'll re-sign Kpass or Taco and draft some more. I'd keep an eye on Romeo Okwara as a free agent out of Detroit.

[Megatron96]

My gut tells me that the team would like Speaks to end up being the successor to Okafor.

But if that doesn't pan out for some reason, I think Spags would like to keep Kpass down the road. Kpass was a work in progress last season, and he showed some improvement in his overall game after about the mid-way point and going into the playoffs. Also, he has that incredible length at 6' 7" and probably close to or over an 8 foot wingspan. Spags likes guys with exceptional length/reach, so I can see Spags wanting to keep Kpass around if he continues to improve his game.

[HemiEd]

Fascinating thread

[Pitt Gorilla]

Difficult to predict. We'll likely pick up 3-4 guys and they'll be fine.

[Direckshun]

Originally Posted by Megatron96

My gut tells me that the team would like Speaks to end up being the successor to Okafor.

But if that doesn't pan out for some reason, I think Spags would like to keep Kpass down the road. Kpass was a work in progress last season, and he showed some improvement in his overall game after about the mid-way point and going into the playoffs. Also, he has that incredible length at 6' 7" and probably close to or over an 8 foot wingspan. Spags likes guys with exceptional length/reach, so I can see Spags wanting to keep Kpass around if he continues to improve his game.

I'm absolutely certain Speaks will get his chances, and he's certainly transformed his body into the right role for it.

I just don't think he can bend the angle. I think his movements are a bit jankier and less fluid than every other DE on our roster. I think he's a 3-4 DE that we drafted to be a 3-4 OLB for some reason and now are being forced to convert into a 4-3 DE.

If anybody ever hates on the phrase "tweener" ever again, just point to Breeland Speaks.

[Megatron96]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

I'm absolutely certain Speaks will get his chances, and he's certainly transformed his body into the right role for it.

I just don't think he can bend the angle. I think his movements are a bit jankier and less fluid than every other DE on our roster. I think he's a 3-4 DE that we drafted to be a 3-4 OLB for some reason and now are being forced to convert into a 4-3 DE.

If anybody ever hates on the phrase "tweener" ever again, just point to Breeland Speaks.

Entirely possible you're right. I freely admit I don't have much info on Speaks. Obviously, from a Chiefs POV, they'd really like to see him come into his own and earn a starting spot this season.

And if we're completely honest, Frank Clark doesn't look very fluid out there either.

For myself, I've always been an underdog kind of guy, so I figure what the hell, let's jump on the Speaks bandwagon right now and hope for the best.

[Direckshun]

That's true, and Hali was never a fluidity guy either. But Hali was probably the best pure technician we've ever seen, and Clark plays with an edge that honestly may be truly unmatched in the NFL, as well as some really good technique of his own. It's hard to say at this point what Speaks brings to the table.

I actually didn't think Speaks played that badly at rushbacker his rookie year. He just looked out of position, because of course he did. He basically sacked Brady in the regular season 2018 at a critical spot, but let go of him because he didn't want to get flagged -- that's a good play followed up by a fixable error.

I really like him. I actually met his dad at the 2018 season-ender that we barely lost to the Chargers. Speaks was a rookie, and I told him I had high hopes because I liked him at Ole Miss.

Dude said "that's my baby" (which is an amusing way to think of a 280 lb monster) and said "right now he's just learning, just getting used to everything and accustomed to everything."

I'm just afraid that missed season did him in. But if he comes back and makes a difference, we need him to show up looking phenomenal (which he has) and show some strong progression (TBA).

[CoMoChief]

Would've liked the Chiefs to draft Bradlee Anae over Mike Danna

Although haven't seen either play other than highlights, but thought Danna was a weird pick at the time.

[saphojunkie]

Speaks seems wildly undersized to be a 3-4 DE.

And this defense moves guys around all the time. Clark and Jones play inside and outside. Speaks fits that perfectly.

[kccrow]

Originally Posted by saphojunkie

Speaks seems wildly undersized to be a 3-4 DE.

And this defense moves guys around all the time. Clark and Jones play inside and outside. Speaks fits that perfectly.

Reports/Twitter shit seem to show he's slimmed down quite a bit over last year. Still not sure he has the muscle mass he should have by now but its an improvement. I guess he's looked good in camp. Hopefully.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

Would've liked the Chiefs to draft Bradlee Anae over Mike Danna

Although haven't seen either play other than highlights, but thought Danna was a weird pick at the time.

Danna will have his chance. Daly certainly seems to like him.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Direckshun

That's true, and Hali was never a fluidity guy either. But Hali was probably the best pure technician we've ever seen, and Clark plays with an edge that honestly may be truly unmatched in the NFL, as well as some really good technique of his own. It's hard to say at this point what Speaks brings to the table.

I actually didn't think Speaks played that badly at rushbacker his rookie year. He just looked out of position, because of course he did. He basically sacked Brady in the regular season 2018 at a critical spot, but let go of him because he didn't want to get flagged -- that's a good play followed up by a fixable error.

I really like him. I actually met his dad at the 2018 season-ender that we barely lost to the Chargers. Speaks was a rookie, and I told him I had high hopes because I liked him at Ole Miss.

Dude said "that's my baby" (which is an amusing way to think of a 280 lb monster) and said "right now he's just learning, just getting used to everything and accustomed to everything."

I'm just afraid that missed season did him in. But if he comes back and makes a difference, we need him to show up looking phenomenal (which he has) and show some strong progression (TBA).

Hali actually played a similar role in college, moving around the line like Speaks did. I have a lot of faith in this team finding and developing talent. I think he’s going to surprise some people.