5 players who Kansas City Chiefs need to be great in 2019

4. DE Frank Clark

One area where the Chiefs really overhauled their defense was in the pass rush department. Veteran Justin Houston was released due to a high cap charge, and he landed with the Indianapolis Colts on a two year deal, while Dee Ford was traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a second round pick.

The Chiefs filled the holes they created with those moves by trading for disgruntled Seahawks’ defensive end Frank Clark, who was threatening to hold out since Seattle slapped the franchise tag on him. Clark cost the Chiefs a lot in terms of both draft picks (Kansas City sent its first and third round picks from this year’s draft along with a second in 2020 to Seattle) and money, with Clark getting a $105 million deal.

In terms of production, the cost can be justified since Clark has been a sack machine since coming into the league, racking up 36 of them in his first four years as a pro. Clark should also be a good fit in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense, where he should team up with Chris Jones to harass opposing quarterbacks.

There is also a lot of pressure on Clark, who not only has to fill the shoes of both Houston and Ford but also has a checkered past. Clark was dismissed from the University of Michigan’s football team due to a domestic violence incident, and that played a part in him falling to the end of the second round in 2015.

The fact the Chiefs traded for Clark knowing his history is very interesting since they have already had their fair share of problems with players and domestic violence incidents, including the now-released Kareem Hunt and Tyreek Hill. Clark will need to play well in order to justify the enormous cost it took to acquire him.