As the Kansas City Chiefs gear up for training camp, their 90-man roster still has glaring gaps, particularly at defensive tackle. With the clock ticking, A-to-Z Sports Kansas City reporter Charles Goldman has thrown out a bold suggestion: the Chiefs should take a chance on former Jacksonville Jaguars first-round pick Taven Bryan. But is this controversial signing the answer to Kansas City’s defensive line woes?
Drafted 29th overall by the Jaguars in 2018, Taven Bryan has never fully lived up to his first-round billing. However, his connection to the Chiefs’ staff makes him an intriguing option. Bryan played under current Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen during Cullen’s stint as Jacksonville’s defensive coordinator in 2021. That familiarity could ease his transition into Kansas City’s system, but his track record raises questions about his fit.
Goldman highlighted Bryan’s resume, noting, “Bryan started 16 games for the Cleveland Browns in 2022, racking up 26 total tackles, two tackles for loss, three sacks, and 23 total pressures.” Over the past two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, Bryan appeared in 34 games, starting 13. While these numbers show durability, they also underscore his modest production—only 5.0 sacks across six NFL seasons.
Goldman argues that Bryan, who has yet to taste playoff action, could raise the floor for Kansas City’s interior defensive line. A shot at joining a perennial Super Bowl contender like the Chiefs might be the spark Bryan needs to elevate his game. But does he address the team’s most pressing need?
Kansas City’s defensive tackle group already boasts pass-rushing talent in stars like Chris Jones, newcomer Jerry Tillery, and rookie Omarr Norman-Lott. What the Chiefs desperately need is a stout run-stopper to complement or back up veteran Mike Pennel at nose tackle. If Pennel, who is 34 years old, goes down with an injury, the Chiefs’ run defense could crumble.
Bryan’s career stats—24 tackles for loss over 113 games and 46 starts—suggest he’s a serviceable contributor but not a game-changer. According to Pro Football Focus, Bryan has rarely lined up in the A-Gap (71 snaps), spending most of his career in the B-Gap (1,849 snaps) or over the tackle (767 snaps). His run defense grades have also been lackluster, with PFF not awarding him a score above 60.0 since 2019. Conversely, his pass-rushing grades are stronger, hinting that his skill set overlaps with what the Chiefs already have.
At 6-foot-4 and 291 pounds, Bryan is slightly undersized for the traditional nose tackle role, which demands a bigger, more immovable presence to clog running lanes. While he could add depth to the defensive line, he doesn’t appear to be the ideal solution for Kansas City’s run-stuffing needs. Rookies Fabien Lovett Sr. and Marlon Tuipulotu are already in the mix to compete for Pennel’s backup role, and Bryan’s addition might not significantly move the needle.
Goldman’s call for a defensive tackle signing is spot-on, as the Chiefs’ depth at the position is razor-thin. With Chris Jones now 31 and Pennel showing his age, an injury could expose a major vulnerability in the heart of Kansas City’s defense. General manager Brett Veach has already taken a gamble on one former first-round defensive tackle this offseason by signing Jerry Tillery. Could he roll the dice again with Bryan?
However, other free agents might better address the Chiefs’ needs. For instance, Heavy recently suggested an alternative defensive tackle option on June 30, one potentially better suited to the nose tackle role. With training camp looming, Veach has time to explore the market and find a player who can truly plug the gap.
Taven Bryan’s career has been a tale of unfulfilled potential, but his experience and familiarity with the Chiefs’ coaching staff make him a low-risk, high-reward option. While he may not be the perfect fit for Kansas City’s run-defense needs, his versatility and durability could still provide valuable depth. As the Chiefs chase another Super Bowl, adding a player like Bryan might be a small but strategic move to bolster their roster.
With training camp fast approaching, the question remains: Will Veach take a chance on Bryan, or will he pivot to a different free agent to fortify the defensive trenches? One thing is clear—Kansas City can’t afford to enter the season with a glaring hole at defensive tackle.