The Chiefs are coming off easily the worst season of the Patrick Mahomes/Andy Reid era where they failed to make the playoffs all together after making either the Conference Championship or Super Bowl in each of the first seven seasons of the era, winning three Super Bowls. The defense in this dynastic Chiefs’ era has always been underrated led by defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and I would venture to say that he arguably deserves just as much credit as both Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid for the Super Bowl triumphs of the Chiefs. The Chiefs’ defense was very good last season as well as the team ranked in the top ten in terms of yards allowed, points allowed, and in terms of an overall defense grade according to Pro Football Focus. However, the defense felt elite but not next level elite like Seattle’s, Houston’s, or the Eagles’ defense. If the team wants to maintain/improve upon their defensive form from this past season then not just Spagnuolo’s coaching, but the personnel that the team has on defense will also loom quite large as well. Here I will go into detail assessing the Chiefs’ front seven personnel heading into next year.
Former first rounder George Karlaftis is set to start at the first edge defender position for the Chiefs and is a strong player. Karlaftis is a strong player who has shown his inconsistencies in the NFL but has continually improved. Karlaftis had a very disappointing first two years in the NFL as a first rounder grading in the below average range among players at his position according to Pro Football Focus in both years taking starter snaps. However, Karlaftis has now seemed to turn things around grading in the above average to well above average range for two straight seasons. Karlaftis has also seen his overall defense grade increase in every single season he has played thus far, an ascending player.
Set to start at nose tackle for the Chiefs is veteran future hall of famer Chris Jones who has made three first team All-Pros in his career. Jones for years was universally recognized as one of the premier defensive players in the NFL but had likely the worst season of his career in 2025 although still making the Pro Bowl. Jones played last season at 31 years old, so his age has now become a factor in his play. He is still not overly old and very well could bounce back to elite form next season, however.
Khyris Tonga is set to start at the other defensive tackle spot and is a very strong player for the Chiefs although perhaps not being elite. Tonga has been a backup throughout his career and has consistently graded very highly according to Pro Football Focus and will now transition to a starting role for the first time. Tonga has graded in the above average to borderline elite range according to Pro Football Focus in every season outside of his rookie year and will now get a chance to prove himself as a starter.
2023 1st rounder Felix Anudike-Uzomah is set to start at the other edge defender position for the Chiefs and has talent but is a question mark as of now. Anudike-Uzomah has played reserve snaps in each of his first two seasons in the NFL and graded below average both years although showing improvement. He will now be on the clock to play at a high level and prove himself as a viable starter, if not he could very well transition to a reserve role at some point next year. As the Chiefs have numerous young talented defensive lineman who could take his spot.
Veteran Drue Tranquill is set to start at the first of the linebacker spots for the Chiefs and is consistently a very good player. Tranquill has graded in the above average to well above average range in every season he has logged substantial snaps in the NFL. Tranquill may not be a star but is a good to a very good starter.
A very similar narrative can be written for Nick Bolton who is set to start at the middle linebacker spot for the Chiefs. Bolton has also graded in the above average to borderline elite range in every season he has played thus far in the NFL. Bolton is not a star, having never made a Pro Bowl just like Tranquill, but is a very good starter.
Former 2020 undrafted free agent Cole Christiansen rounds out the starting front seven and is the current weak link in the starting lineup. Christiansen has played 1 snap for his whole career and went undrafted. However, Andy Reid and Steve Spagnuolo must still see something in him to list him as the starter despite the fact that he is not at all qualified and the Chiefs have multiple talented linebackers currently listed as reserves. However, given how unproven he is and some of the other talented linebackers that the Chiefs have, he very well could transition to a reserve role next season.
From a depth standpoint in the front seven the Chiefs have several talented players who can provide the team with some depth and/or transition to a starting role at some point. They drafted edge defender R Mason Thomas quite high in the 2nd round after he was a first team All-SEC selection in his final collegiate season playing in the arguably the toughest conference in the country. 2025 3rd rounder Ashton Gillotte looked decent as a rookie, was drafted quite high, and will be in line to build off his strong rookie campaign. The Chiefs drafted defensive tackle Peter Woods in the first round of the 2026 draft. 2025 2nd rounder Omarr Norman-Lott had a solid rookie season that he could be in line to build off of heading into year 2 as such a high draft pick. 2025 5th round linebacker Jeffrey Bassa looked elite in about one games worth of action as a rookie. While veteran linebacker Jack Cochrane has looked borderline elite in very limited snaps outside of his essential rookie NFL season. The depth that the Chiefs have in their front seven ranks up there with any team in the sport.
In totality the Chiefs have one of the premier front sevens in the NFL that does have its flaws, however. I question if they have a true superstar up front with the aging of Chris Jones. Both Felix Anudike-Uzomah and Cole Chrsitiansen remain weak links as starters as of now and both have not proven to be NFL caliber starters although being listed as that. However, that is nitpicking and even if Jones is no longer a superstar the Chiefs will likely still get enough high-end production in their front seven, while the Chiefs have several viable depth players who could step into the starting lineup if the aforementioned unproven players are not playing well enough. A breakdown of the Chiefs’ front seven heading into the 2026 season can be found below.
Projected 2026 Chiefs’ Starting Front Seven
LDE – George Karlaftis – B to B+, 2022 1st rounder, inconsistent, has consistently improved
LDT – Chris Jones – A-, was A+ before 2025, could recapture that form in 2026
RDT – Khyris Tonga – B+, will be starter for first time
RDE – Felix Anudike-Uzomah – C, 2023 1st rounder, limited snaps so far, still has not had enough of a chance to prove himself
WLB – Drue Tranquill – B to B+
MLB – Nick Bolton – B+ to A-
SLB – Cole Christiansen – Former undrafted free agent, 1 career snap
Notable 2026 Chiefs’ Front Seven Reserves
ED – Ashton Gilotte – C as rookie, 2025 3rd rounder
DL – Peter Woods – 2026 1st rounder
ED – R Mason Thomas – 2026 2nd rounder
DL – Omarr Norman-Lott – C as rookie, 2025 2nd rounder
LB – Jeffrey Bassa Jr – A in roughly one games worth of career snaps, 2025 5th rounder
LB – Jack Cochrane – B+ in about one games worth of career snaps outside of essential rookie season
