The Kansas City Chiefs will have some talent to replace on defense in 2025.
Fortunately, the Chiefs locked up their most important defensive free agent, linebacker Nick Bolton, over the weekend. Meanwhile, safety Justin Reid remains unsigned as of Tuesday morning. But there’s already been one notable departure.
Defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton, who had a breakout season with 6.5 sacks and 23 quarterback pressures in 2024, is on his way to the Carolina Panthers with a three-year, $45 million contract. It’s money well earned for Wharton, but it leaves a major hole for KC.
One NFL writer believes the Chiefs can fill that hole with a recent national champion.
On Tuesday, FanSided’s Matthew Chabot named an “obvious” replacement for Wharton via the 2025 NFL Draft: Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, a 6-foot-3, 340-pound standout who was named third-team All-American this past season.
“Since day one, Kenneth Grant has been near the top of my draft board and is someone I have had a top-10 grade on all season. Grant has been underrated his whole career, mostly because he plays next to top prospect Mason Graham,” Chabot wrote.
“Grant is much more than just a nose tackle and has shown upside as a pass rusher throughout his three-year career at Michigan. If the Chiefs feel comfortable trading up, or if Grant is available at 31, he has to be the pick.”
Grant, 21, primarily became known as a run-stopper at Michigan, but he did manage 6.5 sacks as well over the past two seasons. He also managed five batted passes and two fumble recoveries.
In the absence of Wharton, the Chiefs need someone who can wreak havoc on the interior line, no matter what sort of offense the opponent is running. Grant could be that player, but as Chabot references, it could take a risky trade to land him.
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