Chiefs to sign UDFA defensive tackle that the NFL slept on in the draft for all the wrong reasons

Lovett transferred to Florida State from Mississippi State in 2020 and would go on to appear in 39 games for the Seminoles. He posted 22 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, and three passes batted in 13 games in 2023. Lovett's peers named him a team captain during his final season. 

The sixth-year senior was given a fifth-round grade by The Athletic's Dane Brugler and was his No. 17 ranked defensive tackle in the 2024 class. There are two suspected reasons that Lovett Sr. went undrafted. Firstly, he's one of the older prospects in this draft class at 24 years old, and he'll turn 25 in December of his rookie season. The second is that he's battled injuries throughout his career, including a lower leg/foot injury that kept him out for several games in 2022. 

When you turn on the tape, it's clear that teams should have looked past both issues. He has the potential to be an instant impact player for Kansas City in an area where they need some help on the defensive side of the ball: The run game. 

Florida State DT Fabien Lovett's fit with the Chiefs

Listed at 6-foot-4 and 316 pounds, Lovett is a space-eating defensive tackle who offensive linemen have trouble moving off his spot. He can shed blocks and fill gaps quickly as a two-gapper, clogging up running lanes with his wide frame and 35.5-inch arms. 

He's not the flashiest athlete, posting a 5-second 40-yard dash, 26 reps in the bench press, 25.5-inch vertical jump, a 101-inch broad jump a 7.56s 3-cone, and a 4.82s short shuttle at his pro day. He only had moderate success as a pass-rusher, with six sacks during his career, mostly succeeding on cleanup duty. There are, however, a few flashes that make you think he could produce more there under the right circumstances. 

Ultimately, this signing is all about defending the run. Kansas City has struggled to find a player to pair with Chris Jones on early downs. Derrick Nnadi was satisfactory early in the 2023 NFL season, but his play quickly tapered off, and then he got hurt. Mike Pennel filled in nicely late in the year, but finding a longer-term option to command double teams and clog lanes could really open things up for the defensive line. Lovett had a palpable impact when he was on the field for the FSU defense and the Chiefs are clearly hoping that will transfer to the NFL.