KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs entered OTAs with renewed optimism about their defensive line after adding two rookies who figure to play significant snaps alongside George Karlaftis. Karlaftis said the top four picks the team selected in April all play on his side of the ball, and he welcomed having first-round defensive tackle Peter Woods (No. 29) and former Oklahoma defensive end R Mason Thomas (No. 40) joining the unit.
Karlaftis, the club’s top defensive end who signed a four-year contract extension last summer, watched the draft with particular interest after seeing several members of the 2022 draft class leave in free agency. He is the lone player from that group remaining on the roster. “I love it, I love it, I love it,” Karlaftis said, adding that this year’s defensive-heavy draft class reminds him of his own.
The Chiefs hope the youth infusion will help address last season’s issues generating consistent pressure. With a veteran-heavy line in 2025, Chris Jones was the only pass rusher to rank in the top 30 in pass rush win rate. Kansas City also allowed opposing offenses to convert 44% of third-down plays, the 29th-worst rate and the poorest since coach Andy Reid’s tenure began in 2013. The team expects Woods and Thomas to help Karlaftis and Jones get opponents off the field more frequently and return possession to quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo praised Woods’ demeanor and early practice plays. “I’ve been really impressed with Peter,” Spagnuolo said, noting Woods’ focus both on the field and in meetings. Evaluating interior linemen in non-padded sessions can be difficult against a veteran offensive front that includes three-time All-Pro center Creed Humphrey and two-time Pro Bowler Trey Smith, but Thomas’ first-step burst and edge quickness have been conspicuous.
Linebacker Drue Tranquill called the rookies “hungry, high-energy guys,” pointing to Woods’ tenacity and Thomas’ ability to dip and lean at the line. Coach Andy Reid even joked about staging a get-off drill between Karlaftis and Thomas in meetings, underscoring the staff’s interest in seeing how the new additions translate in competitive settings.
