Kansas City Chiefs free agency 2019: Top 5 targets

ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 18: Cincinnati Bengals defensive back Darqueze Dennard (21) catches a pass during warmups prior to the preseason game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals on August 18, 2018 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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CARSON, CA – OCTOBER 22: Darius Philon #93 of the Los Angeles Chargers tackles Devontae Booker #23 of the Denver Broncos during the second quarter of the game at the StubHub Center on October 22, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

4. Darius Philon, defensive tackle

If the Chiefs are going to see a new and improved defense in 2019, a lot of it will start with the ability to stop the run. Despite career years from Chris Jones and Dee Ford in the pass rush department, the Chiefs continually were gashed on the interior in the running game.

One player who could help quite a bit in improving in that department is Chargers’ defensive tackle Darius Philon. Philon, a former sixth-round selection out of Arkansas, has slowly turned himself into an excellent run-stopper over the course of his young career and is coming off of two back-to-back solid seasons.

With the amount of talent at edge in the 2019 NFL Draft, I would expect the Chiefs’ main focus in free agency to be on the interior of the defensive line and Philon would do an excellent job at taking the pressure off Chris Jones and Dee Ford, if he does in fact remain in a Chiefs uniform next season.

Snagging a talented defender from a division rival would be a tough blow if you’re a Chargers fan, but there’s no doubt that adding a run-stopping talent like Philon would give the Chiefs a lot more hope for their defense heading into the 2019 season.

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