Tag: Charles Omenihu

Chiefs DL Charles Omenihu named to Touchdown Wire’s All-Underrated Team for 2023

Our friends at @TheNFLWire thinks people are sleeping on #Chiefs DL Charles Omenihu heading into 2023.

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Could one of the newest members of the Kansas City Chiefs actually be their most underrated player heading into the 2023 NFL season?

Our friend Doug Farrar over at Touchdown Wire recently assembled a list of the most underrated player on all 32 NFL teams, naming a secret superstar for each team heading into 2023. Omenihu was his choice for the Chiefs given his ability to affect the quarterback from a number of different gaps.

Check it out:

Like a lot of players, Charles Omenihu got better when he was coached by former 49ers defensive coordinator and new Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans. Omenihu, selected in the fifth round of the 2019 draft out of Texas, was a decent rotational pass-rusher for the Texans for 2 1/2 seasons. But when the 49ers traded for him in November, 2021, the light went on. Now, Omenihu will ply his trade with the Chiefs in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense, on a two-year, $16 million contract.

Last season, the 6-foot-5, 280 pound Omenihu had seven sacks, 12 quarterback hits, and 43 quarterback hurries in just 475 pass-rushing snaps. He’s more of a multi-gap pass-rusher than a run defender, and that’s fine, because he’s become quite good at the whole pass-rushing thing from all over the place. Spagnuolo loves to bring chaos with his fronts, so he’ll have fun with Omenihu.

Farrar emphasized Omenihu’s versatility and utility by showing his two sacks during the NFC Wild-Card round against the Seattle Seahawks last season. On one sack, Omenihu was shaded over the center and rushed all the way around the right tackle, putting the guard tasked with blocking him in conflict. On the other sack, Omenihu used a slick inside counter move. You can check both of those plays out over on Touchdown Wire.

Basically, Omenihu is going to provide Steve Spagnuolo with another pass-rushing chess piece who can wear a lot of different hats on a snap-to-snap basis.

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6 Chiefs players to watch as mandatory minicamp begins

Our @goldmctNFL names six players that #Chiefs fans should pay attention to during the course of mandatory minicamp.

Mandatory minicamp has officially kicked off for the Kansas City Chiefs on Tuesday, June 13.

This is the first time that all 90 of the Chiefs’ players are required to get on the field and work together during the course of the 2023 NFL offseason. There is still no live contact permitted during these practice sessions, but the team can run 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 team drills as they did during OTAs.

Here are six players that you should keep an eye on once the team hits the practice field:

The NFL’s All-Underrated Team: One Secret Superstar for all 32 teams

From Matt Milano to Denico Autry to Tyler Lockett to Tony Pollard, here are the NFL’s most underrated players by team.

Why are great players underrated in any sport?

There are all kinds of reasons. In football, it could be that the guy playing your position is even better than you are, and he’s been doing it longer. Maybe we only have the attention span for one great player at your position Maybe you’re on a team that doesn’t get much national praise, or you’re part of a unit that… well, stinks… and you’re one of the few bright spots. Or, you’re just getting started on the ascent, and the world hasn’t quite caught up yet.

No matter the reason, there are many NFL players who ply their trade at an exceedingly high level, and they’re not given their proper due. Here, we look to rectify this in 32 individual instances with the most underrated player for every NFL team. Some of these guys have been doing it the right way in the shade for a long time for their teams; a few are new in their uniforms.

No matter why, all 32 of these NFL players deserve more love than they get, and here’s why. Here is every NFL team’s most underrated player.

(All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus and Sports Info Solutions unless otherwise indicated). 

Steve Spagnuolo impressed with new Chiefs defenders Charles Omenihu, Drue Tranquill

#Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo is encouraged by what he’s seen from the newest free agent additions on defense. | from @TheJohnDillon

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The Kansas City Chiefs invested heavily in veteran defenders during free agency, and to hear longtime coordinator Steve Spagnuolo tell it, dividends are set to be paid.

Defensive lineman Charles Omenihu and linebacker Drue Tranquill are set to play major roles for the team in 2023. So far at OTAs, they’ve looked the part according to Spagnuolo, who updated reporters about their progress in meshing with his unit

“They’re doing a great job,” Spagnuolo said. “They’re terrific, both of those guys are pros, real intelligent football players (and I’m) really happy with what they’ve done to this point and where they’re at. I’m glad we got them. I just think both of those guys elevate their positions and I think that gives us a lot.

“We’ll see how we work them all in, it’s going to take a little while for that but right now. (But) from what I’ve seen, Drue’s made a lot of plays. You know, for a lineman in these practices, we can’t finish. You’ve got to stay away from the quarterback, and you know, they pull up so it’s a little bit tougher to tell there but (I) love they way both of those guys operate.”

Practice sessions in June are hardly indicative of guaranteed success during the NFL’s grueling 17-game schedule, Spagnuolo’s words are sure to be heartening for Chiefs fans eager to see the team’s newest talent in action.

Less than two months stand between the Kansas City faithful and open practices during training camp, and if the coordinator is to be believed, both Omenihu and Tranquill should be able to put on a show in St. Joe later this summer.

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Here’s how much Chiefs DE Charles Omenihu can earn in incentives in 2023

A quick breakdown on the money that #Chiefs DE Charles Omenihu can earn via incentives during the 2023 NFL season.

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Back in March, the Kansas City Chiefs added former San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Charles Omenihu on a two-year deal worth up to $20 million. We later learned that the “up to” in his contract included $4 million in incentives, leaving him with a two-year contract worth $16 million at its base value.

The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov recently did a deep dive into the money that players around the NFL can earn via incentives in the 2023 NFL season. Omenihu’s package of incentives in 2023 and 2024 both include the following structure with up to $2 million in total incentives each year.

  • If Omenihu plays 65% of the defensive snaps in 2023, he’ll receive $500K in incentives.
  • If Omenihu plays 65% of the defensive snaps in 2023 AND the team reaches the playoffs, he’ll receive $1M in incentives.
  • If Omenihu plays 65% of the defensive snaps in 2023 AND the team reaches the AFC Championship Game, he’ll receive $1.5M in incentives.
  • If Omenihu plays 65% of the defensive snaps in 2023 AND the team wins the Super Bowl, he’ll receive $2M in incentives.

The playoff-related incentives are a good bet given the team’s recent history. Omenihu is certainly confident in his ability to carve out a large role on defense in Kansas City. Last season, Chris Jones was the only defensive lineman for the Chiefs to play more than 65% of the team’s defensive snaps (just under 80%). Omenihu has never played more than 54% of a team’s defensive snaps in a given season in the NFL.

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Chiefs DE Charles Omenihu already recruiting DeAndre Hopkins

#Chiefs DE Charles Omenihu is already making a recruiting pitch to former #Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins.

Not even a full 20 minutes after the Arizona Cardinals announced the release of WR DeAndre Hopkins, one of his former teammates has recommenced a recruitment campaign to bring him to Kansas City.

Charles Omenihu and Hopkins spent a full season playing together with the Houston Texans in 2019. The new Chiefs D-Lineman already attempted to recruit him after trade rumors began to pick up back in March. These new recruitment efforts are different, given that Hopkins is set to become a free agent when the release becomes official at 4:00 p.m. ET on Friday.

“You free now come on to the kingdom,” Omenihu wrote, tagging Hopkins’ Twitter account.

One thing that is notable about these recruitment efforts is that Hopkins has been his own agent for a while, negotiating each of his past two contracts. Back in March in an appearance on The Pat McAfee show, Hopkins confirmed that he’d hired his lawyer to represent him, but it’s reasonable to assume he’ll still play a large role in negotiating any deal with a new team. If Omenihu, Patrick Mahomes, or any other Chiefs players wanted to reach out to Hopkins and make a true recruiting pitch, it could easily be a difference-maker in swaying him to Kansas City.

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3 reasons why Chiefs’ defense could be a top-10 unit in 2023

Here are the three reasons why the #Chiefs defense will be a top-10 unit in 2023:

During Patrick Mahomes’ time as the quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, the defense has always been a question mark heading into the season. However, entering the 2023 season, Kansas City could have a defensive unit that is flying a bit under the radar.

In 2022, Kansas City’s defense featured six rookies that played significant snaps in the regular season and playoffs. Those players include Trent McDuffie, George Karlaftis, Joshua Williams, Jaylen Watson, Bryan Cook, and Leo Chenal. That’s what is so exciting about the potential of this defense in 2023. Yes, the players are still very young, but the experience these players went through on a Super Bowl run will have them more prepared this time around. In addition, there are veteran players on the defense that should continue to elevate the young players around them. 

There are a few reasons why this defense can take substantial steps in the upcoming season.

Brian Baldinger approves of Chiefs’ signing of Charles Omenihu in free agency

NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger took to Twitter to break down Charles Omenihu’s 2022 film and applaud the #Chiefs’ decision to sign him. | from @TheJohnDillon

Few analysts understand the Xs and Os of the modern NFL better than Brian Baldinger, who took some time on Thursday to look at last year’s film from Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Charles Omenihu.

Omenihu, who signed with Kansas City earlier this year, was among the most coveted pass rushers available in free agency. He should be a dominant force on the Chiefs’ defensive front for the next two seasons and his impact could be felt immediately in Kansas City. Baldinger noted the explosiveness that Omenihu brings to the pass rush as a major factor in his projection for 2023, and broke down the veteran lineman’s tape from a game against the Seahawks last season.

In response to Baldinger’s analysis, Omenihu took to Twitter to let the former NFL offensive lineman know that he approved of the way his tape was reviewed.

If Kansas City can get the kind of production out of Omenihu that the San Francisco 49ers managed to, the Chiefs’ defense should be a much-improved unit as the team looks to defend their Super Bowl title next season.

The raw power that Omenihu brings to the table will be a boon for the team’s pass rush, which was already among the league’s best last year. With some time to acclimate to Steve Spagnuolo’s defense, Kansas City could see him blossom into a player who can produce double-digit sack numbers in short order.

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Brett Veach discusses Chiefs’ key free agent additions

#Chiefs GM Brett Veach shared what he likes most about each of the team’s key free agent signings during the 2023 NFL offseason.

Kansas City Chiefs GM Brett Veach spoke with media members for the first time this offseason for his pre-draft press conference.

While the focus remains on the 2023 NFL draft, it was the first opportunity that reporters had to ask Veach about the acquisitions he made in free agency. The team added four players on both sides of the ball early in the process, with OT Jawaan Taylor, DE Charles Omenihu, LB Drue Tranquill and S Mike Edwards.

“I think all four of those guys made sense for us and I think they’ll be really key additions,” Veach said of the free agent quartet.

What led to the decision to sign each of these players? Veach explained further in-depth during the course of his presser.

WATCH: New Chiefs DL Charles Omenihu posts impressive box jump video

New #Chiefs DL Charles Omenihu posted an impressive box jump video on social media.

One of the newest members of the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense is apparently spending his offseason defying the laws of physics.

Chiefs receivers are down in Texas working with Patrick Mahomes, but that doesn’t mean the defenders aren’t getting some work in too. New defensive lineman Charles Omenihu is working hard to get his body prepared for the first season with his new team.

Omenihu posted a workout video on social media of a 42-inch box jump while holding a 20-pound medicine ball. He tips the scales at right around 6-foot-5 and 280 pounds, so that’s essentially a 300-pound man jumping a 42-inch box jump.

Check it out:

I’m not sure how many attempts this took, but it looked fairly casual. I wouldn’t be shocked if he managed to land it on the first try given his reaction and the reaction of those around him. They seem to be quite impressed because it’s practically a superhuman feat.

How exactly does this work translate to the NFL game? Well, it’s all about explosion and getting off the ball. It also doesn’t hurt to be able to jump that high with weight on you if you can’t get to the quarterback and you’re trying to swat down a pass while being blocked.

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