Chiefs to host 2025 NFL draft defensive lineman on top-30 visit who could help offset loss of Derrick Nnadi in free agency

In 2023, Blidi played almost exclusively along the interior defensive line for the Hoosiers. Upon transferring to Auburn in 2024, he earned more opportunities to play all over the defensive front. Over those past two seasons, he's amassed 51 total tackles, five for loss, 24 stops, one sack, one pass batted, and one fumble recovery. 

At the Auburn Pro Day, Blidi weighed in at a hair under 6-foot-3 and 284 pounds. He posted a 4.94-second 40-yard dash with 1.7s 10-yard split, a 34-inch vertical jump, a 122-inch broad jump, and 30 repetitions of 225 on the bench press. Those numbers all would have ranked within the top five among interior defensive linemen at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana.

What is a top 30 visit?

If you're unfamiliar with the term, a "top 30 visit" denotes one of the 30 prospect visits allowed for teams during the pre-draft period.

The Chiefs host prospects varying from potential first-round selections to those who go undrafted, providing them a glimpse into NFL life in Kansas City. Although no on-field workouts will occur, teams can utilize this opportunity to conduct meetings with coaching staff for film analysis, perform physical exams with team doctors, tour the facilities, and more.

Recent players they've selected in the NFL draft who have taken a top 30 visit include Kingsley Suamataia, Rashee Rice, BJ Thompson, Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams, Nick Bolton, and Juan Thornhill. 

How does Auburn DT Philip Blidi fit with the Chiefs?

The Chiefs have needs on the interior defensive line after a few 2025 NFL offseason departures. 

Blidi wasn't a super-productive pass rusher during his collegiate career. However, he was an above-average run stopper, especially since he weighed in at sub-285 pounds. He boasts power, poise, and quickness. Given his elite athletic profile, he might have some untapped pass rush potential. 

In Kansas City, I'd expect him to have a more versatile role akin to his role at Auburn. He's less of a nose tackle at his size, but he feels like a prospect who could play one technique out to 4i in the Chiefs' defensive scheme. He could probably even play some strong-side defensive end on occasion. He has that "tweener" body type where you could lean either direction at the next level and either have him bulk up to play the interior full-time or cut some weight to live on the edge.

Blidi falls undrafted in the A to Z Sports expected draft range, but he has the type of profile the team is looking for in priority undrafted free agents. It's also important to remember that with two selections in the final 10 picks of the draft, the team could prioritize a player like Blidi late in the draft if he were to impress on a visit.