Chiefs trade rumor from The Athletic reveals Kansas City's focus ahead of deadline

Mike Moraitis

Chiefs trade rumor from The Athletic reveals Kansas City's focus ahead of deadline image

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

There has been a ton of chatter about the Kansas City Chiefs possibly targeting a running back ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline, but according to a new rumor, it appears that is not the team's focus.

Instead, according to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the Chiefs are trying to add to their defensive line and not their running backs room.

"The Chiefs are shopping for defensive linemen — but not running backs," Russini reported.

While the Chiefs have had issues moving the football on the ground this year, that is more the result of poor run-blocking upfront, as evidenced by Kansas City's unit ranking 26th in run-block win rate.

Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are a sufficient enough duo to get the job done on the ground if the blocking upfront improves, so it makes sense for the Chiefs to utilize their resources elsewhere.

Meanwhile, the Chiefs' need for more firepower along the defensive line is obvious. Kansas City ranks 31st in run stop win rate and 19th in rushing yards allowed per contest.

Kansas City's interior pass-rush could use a boost, also, as Chris Jones, Jerry Tillery and Omar Norman-Lott have combined for just three sacks.

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Mike Moraitis

Mike Moraitis is a freelance writer who covers the NFL for the Sporting News. Over his nearly two decades covering sports, Mike has also worked for Bleacher Report, USA TODAY and FanSided. He hates writing in the third person.