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Do the Kansas City Chiefs need to add another piece along the defensive line ahead of the 2023 NFL season?
The folks over at PFF recently put together an article featuring a free agent signing, extension or trade that all 32 teams should explore. They’d already written in-depth about the team’s need to extend Chris Jones, so they went with a veteran free agent option at the defensive line position.
Here’s what PFF’s Brad Spielberger had to say about former Tampa Bay Buccaneers DL Will Gholston as a potential fit with the Chiefs:
Gholston is a seasoned veteran who has played at least 400 snaps in nine consecutive seasons. He can bring experience to a new regime while providing a consistent presence in base personnel on early downs. In 2022, Gholston had 22 defensive stops and missed on just 3.9% of tackle opportunities.
A former 2013 NFL draft pick by the Buccaneers, Gholston has 153 regular-season games and a decade of experience under his belt. He has some versatility and ability to play up and down the defensive line, which is something that we know Steve Spagnuolo likes, but the versatility might be a tad redundant given the skill sets the team already has in Kansas City.
Chiefs fans will know Gholston from chasing down Patrick Mahomes on his diving attempt in Super Bowl LV. Last season Gholston proved to be a capable early down run defender, but he didn’t provide much in the way of pass rush with no sacks on the year.
An addition along the defensive interior might make sense for Kansas City with Tershawn Wharton potentially opening training camp on the PUP list. Gholston simply might not be the skillset they need at the position given that fact. His presence also might stunt the development of sixth-round pick Keondre Coburn, who looks to play a big role in the defensive line rotation as a rookie.
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