The Kansas City Chiefs took a swing on defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah late in the 2023 NFL draft. Anudike-Uzomah’s early struggles suggest Kansas City needs to select another young edge in 2025.
Alabama defensive end L.T. Overton is a rising star, and there’s a chance he could fall to the Chiefs in the first round this coming spring.
Overton is a massive 6’5″, 283 lb. defensive end with long arms and a well-built frame. Alabama occasionally asks him to reduce inside as a 3-tech, but his long-term fit is in a traditional defensive end role. Overton explodes off the line and uses his lightning-quick hands to attack offensive linemen.
Overton’s pass rush plan includes two-handed swipes, long-arms, rips, inside swims, and a wide array of rip counters working off clubs, swims, and swipes. He lacks impressive bend to win around the corner but channels plenty of power through his arms and leg drive to walk back offensive tackles into the quarterback’s lap.
Overton’s run defense instincts are still developing, but he knows how to maximize his power and length at the point of attack. He locks out blockers with his long arms and easily separates from blocks to pursue the football. His base is strong enough to anchor and halt climbing linemen and clog run lanes, but he lacks the mass to combat double teams consistently.
LT Overton fighting through multiple blocks to make the tackle. Bulldog. Good job maintaining his balance. All these guys had their motors running hot last night. A lot of fun to watch. pic.twitter.com/PQ0DRvo01h
— Clint Lamb (@ClintRLamb) September 1, 2024
Overton is a ferocious and high-level athlete who still needs to refine his pass-rush skills. He has the tools and motor to develop into one of the most disruptive defenders in the 2025 draft class.
Alabama faces a season-defining test in their next game. The Crimson Tide go on the road to face LSU at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9.