The Kansas City Chiefs are always on the lookout for the next defensive star, and it seems like they’ve got their eyes on Princely Umanmielen. The Ole Miss edge rusher recently had a formal meeting with the Chiefs, signaling that the team is seriously considering adding him to their pass-rushing unit.
Princely Umanmielen: A Rising Star
Umanmielen’s journey has been all about growth and dominance. After starting at Florida, where he racked up 39 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks in 2022, he transferred to Ole Miss and took his game to another level. In 2024, he recorded 37 tackles, 10.5 sacks, and 14 tackles for loss, earning a 91.5 pass-rush grade from PFF, ranking him as the fifth-best edge rusher. His ability to disrupt the pocket and make life miserable for quarterbacks makes him a prime target for a team like the Chiefs.
Why the Chiefs Need Him
🚨 UPDATE 🚨
The #Chiefs had a formal meeting with Mississippi DE Princely Umanmielen.
Per, @AToZ_Payton. pic.twitter.com/JJkLFE587w
— Chiefs Blitz (@ChiefsBlitz) February 26, 2025
The Chiefs’ defense has been a major factor in their recent success, and adding Umanmielen could make them even more dangerous. With George Karlaftis already wreaking havoc on one side, pairing him with a high-upside edge rusher like Umanmielen would give Kansas City an even stronger front.
Chiefs’ Defensive Future: McDuffie & Karlaftis Extensions Coming?
While the Chiefs are eyeing Umanmielen for the draft, they’re also looking to secure two of their current defensive stars—Trent McDuffie and George Karlaftis—on long-term deals. GM Brett Veach confirmed that extensions for both players are on the to-do list, though they’ll likely come after the draft.
McDuffie: The cornerback has been a shutdown defender since arriving in Kansas City, earning first-team AP All-Pro honors in 2023 with 80 tackles, three sacks, and five forced fumbles. His four sacks in his first two seasons are tied for second-most by a cornerback in NFL history.
Karlaftis: The defensive end has been a force since entering the league, with 24.5 sacks in three seasons and a key role in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVII win.
The Chiefs clearly recognize the importance of keeping their defensive core intact while also scouting for the next big talent. If they land Umanmielen in the draft, Kansas City’s pass rush could be one of the scariest in the league.
What do you think? Could Princely Umanmielen be the missing piece to make the Chiefs’ defense even more dominant?