The Kansas City Chiefs’ defense is anchored by perennial Pro Bowl defensive tackle Chris Jones and defensive end George Karlaftis. The pieces around them have been in transition and will go a long way in determining the where the unit stacks up. Right defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah has been a name mentioned throughout training camp, and rookie R Mason Thomas was taken in the second round to push him for that starting spot. Both made impacts in the 16-15 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Saturday.
Anudike-Uzomah was a first-round pick in 2023, and now in his third year, he looks to make his presence felt. He did just that with a sack on Buccaneers quarterback Jake Browning Saturday.
FAU has played in every game in his first two seasons, but his impact has been minimal. He finished 2025 with 27 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. His impact was felt Saturday as Pro Football Focus rated him the highest of any Chiefs player at 86.7. With Ashton Gillotte recovering from a ruptured plantar fascia, Anudike-Uzomah may have cemented his name across from Karlaftis in the starting lineup.
Thomas was rated fourth-highest among Chiefs players Saturday at 83.9 by PFF. You wouldn’t recognize that by the scorecard, as Thomas didn’t register a tackle, but it was his pressure that shifted things. He slid by a tackle and nearly intercepted Baker Mayfield in the flat, which would have resulted in a touchdown if he were able to hang on.
Through two preseason games, Thomas leads all Chiefs defensive linement with a 78.5 PFF Pass Rush Grade. He has four hurries and one quarterback hit. One thing is for sure, this Chiefs defense is ascending as they hope to return to Super Bowl contention.
