The Kansas City Chiefs tend to target thickly built athletes with good arm length when adding talent to their defensive line. This approach deprives the team of bendy and explosive threats off the edge but sets a strong baseline for run defense.
Expect the Chiefs to add to their defensive line in the 2025 NFL draft.
Minnesota Golden Gophers defensive lineman Jah Joyner’s verified 6’4 1/4″, 256 lb. frame with 34.75-inch arms is one of the best in the upcoming class. He uses his size and long arms to lock out offensive tackles and set a hard edge against the run. His hand usage combines with his sturdy lower body to disarm offensive tackles attempting to displace him. He needs to maintain a lower pad level at the point of attack.
Joyner is an inconsistent pass rusher but authored several game-changing plays in 2024, including a game-ending strip-sack against Illinois. He shows flashes of a quick first step but doesn’t have the consistently explosive strides to pressure offensive linemen up the arc. He lacks elite bend but gets low enough to finish some plays around the tackle’s outside shoulder.
Joyner’s pass rush plan includes long-arms, chop-rips, spins, swims and two-handed swipes. He needs to add more hand counters but already developed a few viable options. Joyner attacks the B-gap frequently with euro steps, swims and straight line speed. His bull rush pushes the pocket, but his leg drive fails to break the anchors of offensive linemen consistently.
Minnesota’s Jah Joyner was on my radar going into the season as a toolsy 2025 NFL Draft prospect. I think the flashes have been impressive this year, but his pass rush plan hasn’t filled out yet and that limits his production. #NFLDraft #NFLDraft2025 #2025NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/AZkAE37tuy
— Sam Teets (@Sam_Teets33) November 14, 2024
Joyner checks many boxes outside of the main traits and skills evaluators look for during the pre-draft process. He gets in hands in passing lanes to swat down throws at the line, generates forced fumbles and hustles in pursuit downfield.
Joyner projects as a traits-based early Day 3 selection. After five seasons in college, it seems unlikely that he’ll develop into an NFL starter. He should play a significant rotational role in the league.