Never-Too-Early 2024 Defensive Prospects to Watch for the KC Chiefs
It’s never too early to look ahead to the 2024 NFL Draft class, specifically focusing on players who could help the Kansas City Chiefs in the future. Last week, I took a look at some offensive players to keep an eye on. This week, it’s time to dive into some defensive prospects that could be drafted by the Chiefs in next April’s draft.
Defensive tackle: Leonard Taylor, Miami (Round 1)
Taylor flashed potential as a freshman when he picked up 24 tackles, including 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and a pass breakup in 2021. He played fewer snaps in 2022, but was still able to get 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks on the season. Taylor has plenty of upside as a pass rusher and should be able to continue to have a rising stock as he gains more experience.
Defensive end: Bralen Trice, Washington (Round 1-2)
Trice led the FBS in pressures (70) and had the highest pass rush win rate (29.5%) as well. There’s tons of production to look at here, and he’s a disruptive pass rusher who fits defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's edge-rusher archetype, standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 270 pounds, Trice would be a great fit in Kansas City and it may take a late first or early second-round pick to get him depending on how his redshirt junior season goes with the Huskies.
Linebacker: Jaylan Ford, Texas (Round 3)
Ford was a turnover-generating machine for the Longhorns last season. He led all FBS linebackers with four interceptions, his three forced fumbles were tied for sixth in the country and his two fumble recoveries were tied for second in the nation. This guy has a nose for the ball and making plays, and he'd make for another welcomed addition to a young linebacker room in Kansas City.
Cornerback: Josh Newton, TCU (Round 3)
Newton led TCU’s secondary with an 81.9 cornerback grade according to Pro Football Focus and ranked fourth among Power Five players with a 35.3% completion rate allowed. All of this and his teammate, Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, was the guy who won the award for college football’s best defensive back in 2022. As a former player from Louisina-Monroe, Newton is a diamond-in-the-rough type of player who has now caught on at a higher level. Newton could be a draft riser if he has another successful run in 2023 but in a talented class of cornerbacks, he could slide to the Chiefs if they want to use one of their picks on him.
The Chiefs will have their work cut out for them as they continue to search for the next young core of players in the 2024 NFL Draft. Whether they go defense-heavy like they have in recent drafts or go more offense-heavy, it will be another interesting fall of college football showcasing these prospects. The Chiefs will continue to try to keep their Super Bowl window open with young talent, and hitting through the draft is the best way to keep that train rolling down the tracks.
