{"id":177958,"date":"2026-04-18T14:48:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T14:48:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=177958"},"modified":"2026-04-18T14:48:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T14:48:18","slug":"%f0%9f%9a%a8-zero-sacks-big-problem-chiefs-already-turning-away-from-their-own-1st-round-pick-the-numbers-tell-a-brutal-story-%f0%9f%91%87-a-silent-exit-15-2-missed-tackles-no-impact","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=177958","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udea8 ZERO SACKS, BIG PROBLEM: Chiefs Already Turning Away from Their Own 1st-Round Pick \u2014 The Numbers Tell a Brutal Story \ud83d\udc47 A Silent Exit?: 15.2% Missed Tackles, No Impact \u2014 Kansas City Might Be Moving On Before Draft Night Even Begins."},"content":{"rendered":"

He could be on thin ice.<\/p>\n

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The Kansas City Chiefs have some major needs on defense. The pass-rushing unit left plenty to be desired last season, averaging just 2.1 sacks per game, which was tied for 22nd in the league. That\u2019s not the production a championship-caliber defense delivers.<\/p>\n

George Karlaftis didn\u2019t play up to his contract. Ashton Gillotte was also disappointing. And Felix Anudike-Uzomah wasn\u2019t a factor. Considering that reality, it\u2019s no surprise that general manager Brett Veach is hell-bent on strengthening the defensive line. According to Chiefs insider Charles Goldman of A to Z Sports, the Chiefs aren\u2019t done adding firepower there\u2014even after signing Khyiris Tonga.<\/p>\n

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\u201cChiefs GM Brett Veach says that even with Khyiris Tonga\u2019s addition, they\u2019re a few short on the D-Line and will look to add more in the 2026 NFL Draft,\u201d Goldman shared on X. In a follow-up tweet, he added that Veach said, \u201cI feel like we brought in every defensive end that could be drafted this weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n

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That blunt assessment spells serious trouble for Anudike-Uzomah.<\/p>\n

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The 23-year-old defensive end entered the league with elite pedigree as a first-round pick. He arrived fresh off earning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors and two Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year awards. Yet that hard-hitting promise has been nowhere to be found in the pros. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has brought him along slowly: in his first two healthy seasons, Anudike-Uzomah appeared in all 34 regular-season games but earned just three starts. His production? A grand total of 3.0 sacks, 41 tackles (24 solo), eight tackles for loss, 14 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery.<\/p>\n

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Then came 2025. A severe hamstring injury suffered in the preseason wiped out his entire year\u2014zero sacks in 2025<\/strong>, zero games played, zero chances to build momentum. When healthy, the tape and numbers were already underwhelming. According to Pro Football Focus, he missed 15.2 percent of his tackles across those two prior seasons and generated just 26 total pressures. That level of inefficiency simply will not cut it on a team chasing another ring.<\/p>\n

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\"Kansas<\/p>\n

Now the Chiefs are signaling they\u2019re moving on. Mock Draft Database, which aggregates dozens of expert mocks from top outlets, currently has Kansas City selecting Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. with the No. 9 overall pick. Whether Bain falls that far or not, the smoke is unmistakable: when there\u2019s this much pre-draft interest in pass-rush help and the GM is openly saying the position still needs more bodies, the writing is on the wall for the former first-rounder.<\/p>\n

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Anudike-Uzomah still has youth on his side and could theoretically earn one more opportunity to prove himself in 2026. But the organization\u2019s aggressive pursuit of defensive ends this offseason and its clear intention to keep shopping in the draft suggest the clock is ticking loudly. In Kansas City, results matter more than pedigree\u2014and right now, the results aren\u2019t there.<\/p>\n

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With the 2026 NFL Draft just days away, the Chiefs appear ready to turn the page on their own first-round investment before the ink on the next rookie contract is even dry. For Felix Anudike-Uzomah, the message from Arrowhead is quiet but unmistakable: they\u2019re already looking elsewhere.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

He could be on thin ice. The Kansas City Chiefs have some major needs on defense. 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