Movie overview: Chiefs’ defensive position depth shines in San Francisco

When the Kansas City Chiefs entered their first preseason match against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday night, they looked a little understaffed on the defensive. Due to short-term injury issues, key players such as defensive ends Frank Clark, Taco Charlton and Alex Okafor did not fit.

This meant an increased workload for the remaining defensive linemen – and at first glance these players improved and showed depth of quality for defensive line coach Brendan Daly.

Defense run

In general, the line did a solid job of keeping the point of attack on the front of the running game.

Chiefs DL showed promising game identification and strength to the point of attack last night. Here Danna, Wharton, and Reed all flow down the line, holding gaps. Jones also demonstrates the workmanship and athleticism required to close on the back of SF’s stretch runs. pic.twitter.com/xatRNHGvZz

– Bryan Stewart (@BryanStewart_) August 15, 2021

Another high quality demonstration of strength, leverage, and toughness from Saunders, Danna, and Reed. Linebackers fill up well. Only in the back is there not much space to work. pic.twitter.com/VRo6XvCb8e

– Bryan Stewart (@BryanStewart_) August 16, 2021

In his first start as the primary defensive end, Chris Jones showed the quickness and agility to avoid blocks and showed that he won’t just be a great target for offensive tackles and tight ends.

One small but important thing in my opinion: see how quick and agile Jones is to avoid the TE clipping to him on the back. In addition, Danna again with textbook pad level and overall technique on the front of this run. pic.twitter.com/gD5t3IIWfO

– Bryan Stewart (@BryanStewart_) August 16, 2021

Mike Danna, who ended up on the defensive in his sophomore year, was also a steady, constant presence against the run, picking up where he left off last year.

But it wasn’t all perfect. Although exhibiting several exciting traits at other moments in the game, player identification and decision-making occasionally won the best of some of the young defenders.

Kaandoh had some rookie moments on Saturday, in addition to some positive flashes to be expected in his first game action. Late to see the reverse action in the first clip, he jumps in a little too quickly in the second, allowing the RB to ricochet off over 10 yards. pic.twitter.com/Gm9iVurCPa

– Bryan Stewart (@BryanStewart_) August 16, 2021

Despite the impressive sophomore defensive tackle that Tershawn Wharton continues to see in one-on-one situations – especially as a pass rusher – asking him to hold out against doubles is still a big job.

Wharton has freaky athletic traits and the strength required to do well in most 1-on-1 situations, but here the lack of size / strength means he’s being washed away by a Guard + Tackle combo block. TE Slice Block gets a solid piece of harris, but Thornhill scrapes over to make a nice tackle. pic.twitter.com/b74FdODDBX

– Bryan Stewart (@BryanStewart_) August 15, 2021

Passport Defense

Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo wasted no time in throwing lightning bolts of five and six at 49ers rookie quarterback Trey Lance. These were largely successful in various ways for the defense line.

Spags throws a six man pressure on Lance and he certainly isn’t getting the ball out as fast as he’d go back and would like to. What is remarkable, however, is the lateral speed that “Bink” Saunders flashes to beat the LG here. pic.twitter.com/l5bBFvsx9S

– Bryan Stewart (@BryanStewart_) August 15, 2021

#Chiefs send five on this 3rd-and-8, and while the pressure is limited elsewhere, Jones just does what he does and dominates his 1-on-1 match (Sorensen may have had an easy assist; either way it was ) shortly before victory when his hips had free the RG). pic.twitter.com/XApQDTzdbZ

– Bryan Stewart (@BryanStewart_) August 16, 2021

It was great to see Chris Jones pick up right where he left off and quickly win from inside. The team’s new free-agent defensive tackle, Jarran Reed, also showed off some of the reasons he’s now part of the Chiefs roster, and demonstrated high productivity among the offensive guards.

Another 3rd-and-14 game, and Jarran Reed is very close to beating Garoppolo after battling his way through the repetition with good hands and mental strength. Danna and Harris lose on the edge even though they were both chipped before attacking the OT. pic.twitter.com/O0S5yaiFAz

– Bryan Stewart (@BryanStewart_) August 16, 2021

One area where the 49ers offense succeeded was in play-action-pass concepts. Given San Francisco’s propensity to rely on these games for explosive profits, this came as no surprise.

SF is notoriously good at game action concepts, and the Chiefs DL plays a disciplined, task-oriented style. On moves in which the DL does not get a lot of penetration and there are gaps in cover at the rear end, you have to forego some explosive moves. pic.twitter.com/pGeUTznGdH

– Bryan Stewart (@BryanStewart_) August 15, 2021

As the game progressed, the defensive linemen began to see more of what the offense was doing – resulting in intelligent, strenuous games like this one from Danna and Wharton.

Could be something or nothing, but Danna’s speed at changing direction seems to me to be improved on this piece. Starts the game with a great game ID, maintains good leverage. Plus, Wharton’s chase is second to none (!!) pic.twitter.com/4iV1MyGsgw

– Bryan Stewart (@BryanStewart_) August 15, 2021

In obvious passing situations throughout the game, the defense did a really solid job of putting pressure on quickly with at least one player. This is what you want – and expect – from a good, tenacious defensive front.

3rd and 14th The front four all poke their ears back, so you want them to win quick and get at least one body to QB quickly. Wharton, Kaindoh and Harris do just that, while Danna forms the double team (lined up above the LG). pic.twitter.com/wQcPEXxDGJ

– Bryan Stewart (@BryanStewart_) August 15, 2021

Defensive end Tim Ward – who was entering his third Chiefs season after developing on injured reserves and the training team over the past two years – shone with his passing noise. If he keeps making preseason appearances like on Saturday night, he’ll be a tough player to let out of the 53-man roster.

#Chiefs DE Tim Ward adjusted the snap a couple of times last night from a 3 point stance that would have been difficult with any offensive tackle. Also impacted the QB in both games. The last clip shows an enormous amount of effort, which apparently played a role in the fiddling. pic.twitter.com/7CbgafYXVG

– Bryan Stewart (@BryanStewart_) August 16, 2021

looking ahead

Deep players in the Chiefs’ defensive line usually continue to shine when opportunities arise. Daly deserves credit for developing many young talented players who constantly put tremendous efforts.

When the defensive ends, Clark, Charlton and Okafor can all come back – which helps increase the edge rush and general discipline of the group – there are many advantages among these players. Defensive tackles Derrick Nnadi combined with Reed to form an enormous number of run stuffers inside. Meanwhile, Jones is on a path that could make him a candidate for Defensive Player of the Year.

At full strength, the Chiefs’ current line of defense is bigger, stronger, smarter – and perhaps deeper – than it has been in some time. Both now and in the future, wear and tear will be your greatest opponent.