The Kansas City Chiefs lack an anchor in the defensive interior, the great hinge player that the 3-4 defense largely depends upon to free everyone else up. Sione Pouha has played that role for the New York Jets recently, but Gregg Rosenthal reports that the Jets aren’t likely to apply the franchise tag, making him a free agent. Given enough money, the Chiefs could pull him away from the AFC East.
“He’s one of the keys to Rex Ryan’s defense and run stuffers like him don’t become available often,” writes Rosenthal. " We still wonder if the Jets would risk losing Pouha on the open market, but perhaps they are confident they can get a long-term deal done before free agency starts March 13."
If Pouha does come free, the Chiefs are likely to take a closer look. They had Kelly Gregg in the middle last season, but he’s a free agent again and is older than Pouha, who is 33. Currently the Chiefs only have Jerrelle Powe and Anthony Toribio on the roster and neither player should be counted upon for significant playing time next season — at least until a developmental player like Powe can show his stuff in OTAs.
Pouha would make an ideal veteran at the position as KC tries to bolster that position overall. Expect the Chiefs to make at least two moves at defensive tackle this offseason. Pouha would be a great start.